What Is 17th U.S. Women's Open

Overview

The 17th U.S. Women's Open, held in 1962, marked a pivotal moment in women's golf history. It was the first time Jo Ann Prentice claimed victory at this prestigious championship, establishing herself among the elite players of her era.

Hosted at the Del Paso Country Club in Sacramento, California, the tournament attracted top talent from across the United States. The event showcased both competitive depth and the growing popularity of women's professional golf during the early 1960s.

• Jo Ann Prentice won the tournament with a total score of 297 (+9), marking her first major title on the LPGA Tour.
• The event was held at Del Paso Country Club, a course known for its challenging layout and tree-lined fairways in Sacramento.
• Prentice secured the win by a narrow margin of one stroke over Mary Lena Faulk, making it one of the closest finishes of the decade.
• This victory was the first of Prentice’s two U.S. Women's Open appearances in the 1960s, highlighting her rising prominence.
• The 1962 tournament featured a 72-hole stroke play format, consistent with USGA standards for national championships.

How It Works

The U.S. Women's Open operates under strict USGA regulations, ensuring fairness and competitive integrity. Each edition follows a defined structure for qualification, course setup, and scoring procedures.

• 72-Hole Stroke Play: The tournament consists of four rounds of 18 holes each, with the lowest total score winning; ties are broken by playoff if needed.
• Qualification: Players must either earn exemption through prior performance or advance through regional qualifying tournaments held across the U.S.
• Course Setup: The USGA designs courses to play longer and tougher than average, often with firm greens and narrow fairways to test precision.
• Handicaps: Competitors must have a handicap index not exceeding 2.4, ensuring only top amateurs and professionals can enter.
• Prize Money: While the 1962 purse was modest by today’s standards, the winner received $2,500, a significant sum at the time.
• Amateur Participation: Talented amateurs are allowed to compete, though only 12 in 1962 qualified, reflecting the high level of competition.

Key Comparison

The 1962 U.S. Women's Open stood out due to its tight scoring and rising prize money compared to previous years. While scores remained high due to course difficulty, the increase in prize funds reflected the LPGA’s growing financial stability and media attention during the early 1960s.

Key Facts

The 17th U.S. Women's Open featured several notable achievements and statistical highlights that underscore its historical significance in women's golf. These facts illustrate the tournament's competitive nature and evolving standards.

• Jo Ann Prentice finished with a total of 297 (+9), the highest winning score since 1957, due to tough course conditions.
• The margin of victory was just one stroke, the narrowest since 1955, highlighting the depth of talent.
• Mary Lena Faulk placed second with a score of 298, marking her best finish in a U.S. Women's Open to date.
• The field included 62 players, with only 43 completing all four rounds, indicating the difficulty of the course.
• Del Paso Country Club measured 6,201 yards for the event, short by modern standards but challenging due to tree coverage.
• The 1962 tournament saw the first appearance of future LPGA Hall of Famer Kathy Whitworth, then age 22.

Why It Matters

The 1962 U.S. Women's Open was more than just a golf tournament—it was a milestone in the professionalization of women's sports. At a time when female athletes received limited recognition, events like this helped elevate the status of women in athletics.

• Jo Ann Prentice’s victory inspired a new generation of female golfers, especially in the western United States.
• The tournament demonstrated the growing competitiveness of the LPGA, with six players within five strokes of the lead after 54 holes.
• Increased media coverage from outlets like Sports Illustrated helped boost public awareness of women’s golf.
• The rise in prize money from $1,350 in 1958 to $2,500 in 1962 signaled improving financial support for female athletes.
• This event contributed to the legitimization of women’s sports during a transformative decade for gender equality in athletics.

Today, the 17th U.S. Women's Open is remembered not only for Prentice’s triumph but also for its role in advancing the visibility and professionalism of women's golf. Its legacy lives on in the continued growth and global reach of the U.S. Women's Open championship.