The 80th U.S. Women`s Open, offering the oldest major championship trophy and the most significant prize money in women`s professional golf, is scheduled to commence this Thursday at Erin Hills Club in Erin, Wisconsin.
This event marks the inaugural time Erin Hills is hosting the Women`s U.S. Open. The course, known for its distinctive undulating fairways and greens carved by glaciers over centuries, is anticipated to present one of the most demanding challenges of the season for the world`s elite golfers.
Two-time major champion Nelly Korda commented on Tuesday, stating, “It tests every facet of your game.” She described the course as “highly demanding,” noting its “firm and fast” conditions. Korda added, “Even when you believe you`ve struck it well, you can only truly relax once you see it come to a halt.” She also pointed out that “even the weather plays a substantial role with the shots out here, and with the putts.”
Here are some of the major narratives surrounding the season`s second major championship:
Can Nelly Korda Find Her Rhythm?
Just as world No. 1 male golfer Scottie Scheffler required a few months to gain momentum before securing two PGA Tour victories this season, including his third major title at the PGA Championship, world No. 1 Nelly Korda is experiencing a similar season on the LPGA Tour. A year ago, Korda had already claimed six wins before the second major event.
In contrast, she has not yet lifted a trophy in her seven starts this year.
“Yes, it has been quite an interesting year for me,” Korda remarked on Tuesday. “I`ve certainly had a blend of positive and negative results. It`s been a mix in nearly every event I`ve participated in. I`d say patience is a key lesson I`ve learned, along with returning home and focusing intently on rigorous practice.”
It`s not that Korda has performed poorly this season. She has finished in the top 25 in all but one start, including a runner-up finish at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions to start the season. In her most recent outing at the Mizuho Americas Open, she tied for fifth place.
Korda ranks second on the LPGA Tour in total strokes gained (2.40) and off the tee (1.03), and she is ninth in tee-to-green performance (1.59). She also ranks within the top 25 in approach shots (0.65) and putting (0.86).
She is hoping for a better outcome at the U.S. Women`s Open compared to recent years. Over her last five appearances, she has missed the cut three times, tied for eighth once, and tied for 64th once. Last year at Lancaster Country Club, Korda recorded a 10 on the par-3 12th hole early in her first round, finishing the round with a 10-over 80.
Korda rebounded with an even-par 70 in the second round but still did not make the cut.
“Oh yes, lots of ups and downs,” Korda acknowledged. “Ultimately, this is the ultimate test in golf. It has certainly challenged me significantly. I find it enjoyable, and I`m eager to see what this week will bring.”
Korda will play the initial two rounds alongside England`s Charley Hull and Lexi Thompson. Their tee times are 2:25 p.m. ET on Thursday from No. 1 and 8:40 a.m. ET on Friday from No. 10.
“Ultimately, this is why we pursue this profession – to compete on these courses under these conditions, to test every facet of our game,” Korda stated. “Not just our physical game, but our mental resilience as well. I relish it, and I`m enthusiastic about what this week holds.”
Ko Aims for Career Grand Slam
Lydia Ko has the opportunity to become only the eighth player in LPGA history to achieve the career Grand Slam if she wins the U.S. Women`s Open this week, in her 14th attempt. She has previously secured two top-10 finishes in the tournament, though she missed the cut for the first time last year.
At just 27 years old, Ko has already claimed three major championship victories: the 2015 Evian Championship, the 2016 Chevron Championship, and the 2024 Women`s British Open.
Ko is grouped with reigning U.S. Women`s Open champion Yuka Saso and amateur Rianne Malixi for the first two rounds. They are scheduled to start on the first tee at 8:40 a.m. ET on Thursday and on the tenth tee at 2:25 p.m. ET on Friday.
“I believe that as long as I am actively playing, having a goal is beneficial,” Ko said. “It ensures that when I am working on things, I am always progressing forward rather than thinking, `Oh, I achieved this, so why bother?` So, it primarily serves to keep me more motivated. Hopefully not, but even if I never win a U.S. Women`s Open, I don`t anticipate waking up and feeling regretful about it.”
The exclusive group of golfers who have won four distinct major championships includes Louise Suggs, Mickey Wright, Pat Bradley, Juli Inkster, Karrie Webb, Annika Sorenstam, and Inbee Park. Karrie Webb is the only one to have completed a “super” career Grand Slam by winning different majors.
Sweden`s Anna Nordqvist, who won the 2009 Women`s PGA Championship, the 2017 Evian Championship, and the 2021 Women`s British Open, also has the chance to complete her career Grand Slam this week.
Saso Pursues a Third Title
Yuka Saso will attempt to join an elite group of only six other golfers who have won the national championship three times.
Betsy Rawls (1951, 1953, 1957, 1960) and Mickey Wright (1958, 1959, 1961, 1964) hold the record with four victories in the U.S. Women`s Open. Babe Didrikson Zaharias (1948, 1950, 1954), Susie Maxwell Berning (1968, 1972, 1973), Hollis Stacy (1977, 1978, 1984), and Annika Sorenstam (1995, 1996, 2006) have each won the title three times.
“I can refer to myself as a two-time major champion, and even better, a two-time U.S. Women`s Open champion,” Saso stated regarding her victory last year. “I believe it is a wonderful tournament to have associated with my name, and perhaps because I dreamed of winning this event, winning it twice feels even better.”
Saso holds the unique distinction of being the only player to win the Harton S. Semple Trophy while representing two different nations. When she defeated Nasa Hataoka in a playoff at the 2021 U.S. Women`s Open, she represented the Philippines, her birthplace. Last year, she played for Japan, her father`s native country, beating Hinako Shibuno by three strokes with a total score of 4-under 276.
Saso previously held dual citizenship but was required to renounce her Filipino citizenship in 2022 under Japanese law before turning 22.
Erin Hills: A Formidable Course
Erin Hills Golf Course, located approximately 35 miles northwest of Milwaukee, is a par-72 layout that will play at 6,829 yards for the championship. This makes it the second-longest course featured on the LPGA Tour schedule so far this season.
Erin Hills previously hosted the 2017 U.S. Open for men, which was won by Brooks Koepka with a total score of 16-under 272.
The course is not expected to play as easily this week, particularly if the wind becomes a factor. There is a possibility of thunderstorms on Friday accompanied by winds of 10 to 20 mph. The forecast for the weekend indicates sunny conditions with lighter winds ranging from 5 to 10 mph.
“It is definitely a very extensive course,” commented 2023 U.S. Women`s Open champion Allisen Corpuz. “During Monday`s practice round, I found myself hitting significantly more hybrids and woods into the greens than I would have preferred. I believe that in any major, strong ball-striking is always crucial. Especially with the green complexes here and numerous run-off areas, combined with some narrow fairways, it will undoubtedly be a key factor.”
Interestingly, Erin Hills does not feature a single water hazard, but it presents 132 sand bunkers and challenging 3½-inch fescue rough, which will complicate play.
“It is highly demanding off the tee due to all the bunkers,” Nelly Korda said. “The bunkers are challenging. Sometimes you don`t even have a stable stance because they are so small. Then there are the approach shots into the greens and the greens themselves. It truly provides a comprehensive test of your entire game.”
The United States Golf Association (USGA) has alternative teeing grounds available should wind conditions be minimal or the course become wet.
“We also closely monitor firmness, and naturally, speed, wetness, and strong wind conditions,” stated Shannon Rouillard, the USGA`s senior director of championships. “It is paramount that the test remains relevant and suitable given the conditions we might encounter, whether they are wet or if we experience more significant wind.”
