The U.S. Women’s Open is the national open championship for women’s golf in the United States and one of the five LPGA majors. First played in 1946, it is the longest-running tournament currently on the LPGA Tour and is conducted by the United States Golf Association (USGA). The championship is known for demanding venues and a test that prizes precision and resilience.
The story that defines this major
Nelly Korda saved par on the 18th at Riviera in 2026 to win by one stroke in a championship that demanded patience to the final putt.
THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
What makes a U.S. Women’s Open title endure
A different examination every year
Unlike a championship with a permanent home, the event rotates among courses chosen to test elite players in varied conditions.
Every decision is magnified
The course, rough and green complexes reward patient strategy; one ambitious shot can change the week.
A win that travels
The champion joins a history stretching back to 1946, and the achievement carries recognition far beyond a single venue.
At a glance
History and evolution
The inaugural U.S. Women’s Open was played in 1946. It grew into one of the most significant events in the women’s game and became part of the LPGA’s major structure when that tour was established in 1950. The USGA continues to organise the championship, connecting it with the association’s wider history of national championships and rules governance.
Unlike championships with a permanent home, the U.S. Women’s Open rotates among selected courses. This creates different tests from one year to the next and brings the championship to classic venues as well as courses that host a major for the first time.
Signature stories and recent highlights
The championship has produced defining performances across generations, including the repeated victories of Babe Zaharias, Mickey Wright, Annika Sörenstam and later champions from around the world. In modern editions, players have had to negotiate tight targets, challenging rough, fast greens and the unique pressure of a national title.
In 2026, Nelly Korda won at The Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, California. Her closing par at the 18th secured a one-stroke win over Charley Hull and Gaby Lopez and gave her a fourth career major title.
Landmarks in U.S. Women’s Open history
- The inaugural U.S. Women’s Open is played.
- The championship becomes part of the LPGA Tour’s major structure as the tour is established.
- Amateur Catherine Lacoste wins, a rare and historic result in the championship.
- Michelle Wie wins her first major at Pinehurst No. 2.
- Pebble Beach hosts the U.S. Women’s Open for the first time.
- Yuka Saso wins her second U.S. Women’s Open title.
- Nelly Korda wins at Riviera Country Club, eight under par.
Format and how the champion is decided
The event is played over 72 holes of stroke play. Players complete two rounds before the cut, after which qualifiers continue through the weekend. The lowest total wins; any tie for first is decided according to the USGA’s current championship rules.
Course setups can be particularly demanding, but the exact test varies with the venue and weather. Readers should consult official sources for current qualifying procedures, exemptions and tournament dates.
A championship that travels
Historic hosts include Pinehurst No. 2, Pebble Beach, Olympic Club, Oakmont and many other venues. Pinehurst’s sandy, natural landscape and green complexes are a useful example of how architecture shapes strategy, while coastal or parkland courses create different questions for the player.
Recent champions
| Year | Champion | Venue | Dates contested | The moment that mattered |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Nelly Korda−8 · 276 | The Riviera Country Club | Jun 4–7, 2026 | A crucial par on the 18th secured a one-shot win over Charley Hull and Gaby Lopez. |
| 2025 | Maja Stark−7 · 281 | Erin Hills | May 29–Jun 1, 2025 | Earned her first major title at Erin Hills. |
| 2024 | Yuka Saso−4 · 276 | Lancaster Country Club | May 30–Jun 2, 2024 | Won the U.S. Women’s Open for a second time. |
| 2023 | Allisen Corpuz−9 · 279 | Pebble Beach Golf Links | Jul 6–9, 2023 | Became the first champion of the U.S. Women’s Open at Pebble Beach. |
| 2022 | Minjee Lee−13 · 271 | Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club | Jun 2–5, 2022 | Won by four strokes after a commanding week at Pine Needles. |
For the official schedule, rules and full records, see Official championship website ↗.
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