Arguably the most prestigious event in the women’s circuit, the US Women’s Open, this year will kickstart on May 30. Nelly Korda headlines the field, having already won six times this season alone. The 25-year-old golfer from Florida has also added the season’s first Major under her belt. However, she has to battle the very best from across the globe in her pursuit of a third career major!

History of the U.S. Women’s Open

Spokane Country Club (Washington) hosted the inaugural US Women’s Open in 1946. The first edition remains the only time the national major was played in match play. Patty Berg, the first president of the LPGA and a 15-time Major winner, won the inaugural US Women’s Open. The first three editions were conducted by the Women’s Professional Golfers Association (WSGA).

In 1949, the newly formed Ladies Professional Golfers Association of America took over the charge. In 1952, after running the event for four years, the LPGA handed over the mantle to the United States Golfers’ Association of America. Since then, the USGA has hosted it.

Only twice have the dates deviated from the regular schedule. The first was in 1950, when it was hosted in September. The last came in 2020, when USFAG had to move to December due to COVID. That was also the first time the tournament was played on two separate courses.

Who can enter the event?

The US Women’s Open remains open to any professional and mature golfer with a handicap not over 2.4. Entries were open until February 4. The USGA also conducts sectional qualifying in more than 20 venues across the globe in April and May.

The 156-player field will be cut to a low 60 and tied after the second day. If there is a tie after the 72nd hole, a two-hole aggregate playoff is held to crown the eventual winner.

Amateurs can enter the event. The US Women’s Open has only crowned one amateur the winner. In 1967, Catherine Lacoste became the only person to win before turning pro. Seven other LPGA pros have finished runner-up as amateurs, including Morgan Pressel.

Lancaster Country Club hosts the event twice in ten years

Lancaster Country Club will host the second US Open in its history. Previously, in 2015, the women’s national major was hosted here. This will be the 10th US Women’s Open for the state. William Flynn redesigned the original 9-hole course to add another nine holes. Lancaster is considered to be one of the best designs by the famous golf course architect.

The par-70 layout on rolling terrain has two holes without any bunkers, which is a rarity on today’s golf courses. However, water hazards come into play in seven holes. The bluegrass fairways and bentgrass greens use elevation changes quite strategically to keep golfers on their toes. Chun In-gee was 8-under to seal the victory in the last US Women’s Open played here.

What does the winner of the US Women’s Open receive?

The winner of the national major receives the silver sterling trophy, which they can keep for a year. However, this has only been the case since 1953. From 1946 to 1952, the Spokane Athletic Round Table donated the trophy. Since 1953, USGA has taken the mantle on its own.

The two-handed sterling silver trophy produced by J.E. Caldwell and Co. is named after Harton S. Semple, who served as the USGA’s president between 1974 and 1975. The original trophy, however, isn’t given anymore. The winner has only gotten a replica since 1992.

But perks are aplenty for the winner. She gets a ten-year exemption to the US Women’s Open and a five-year exemption each to the Chevron Championship, the AIG Women’s Open, the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, and the Amundi Evian Championship.

In addition, the champion receives a Mickey Wright Gold Medal. Conversely, the runner-up wears a silver medal around his neck. The Gold Medal was renamed after the legendary golfer in 2020. The medal was also redesigned, and now it features an image of her iconic swing.

Wright still shares the record for the most US Women's Open titles, four, with Betsy Rawls. Wright was the first player to defend her US Women’s Open title in 1959.

US Women’s Open purse size

Until 1972, the winner received the same paycheck, $5600. The first edition had a total purse size of $19,700. Last year, Allison Corpuz pocketed $2,000,000 from the $11 million purse, the highest in women’s golf history.

The purse size for this year hasn’t been announced yet. But it is expected that, keeping with the trend, the USGA will pump a few million into the kitty. The goal is to erase the gap between the men’s and the women’s. Last year, the gap was $9 million. The prize pool has doubled from $5 million to $10 million between 2017 and 2022.

To buy tickets, you can head over to the USGA's official website. Tickets range from $25 to $2000. Peacock and NBC will live-stream the event.