What Is 1996 United States Women's Open

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1996 United States Women's Open was the 51st edition of the tournament, held from July 11–14 at Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club in Southern Pines, North Carolina. Annika Sörenstam won her first U.S. Women's Open title, finishing at 4-under-par 280, two strokes ahead of runner-up Pat Bradley.

Key Facts

The 1996 U.S. Women's Open was held from July 11–14 at Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club.
Annika Sörenstam won her first U.S. Women's Open title with a 4-under-par 280 score.
She defeated runner-up Pat Bradley by two strokes.
Pine Needles hosted the U.S. Women's Open for the third time in 1996.
The tournament featured a prize purse of $1.1 million, with $150,000 awarded to the winner.

Overview

The 1996 United States Women's Open marked the 51st edition of one of the most prestigious events in women's professional golf. Held at Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club in Southern Pines, North Carolina, the tournament attracted a strong field of competitors vying for the title and a significant share of the $1.1 million purse. This event was notable for being the third time Pine Needles hosted the championship, having previously done so in 1978 and 1989.

Swedish golfer Annika Sörenstam emerged victorious, claiming her first U.S. Women's Open title and solidifying her status as a dominant force in women's golf. She finished the tournament at 4-under-par 280, two strokes ahead of veteran American golfer Pat Bradley, who placed second. The win was a breakthrough moment in Sörenstam’s career and marked the beginning of her legacy in major championship golf.

July 11–14, 1996: The tournament spanned four days, with all 72 holes completed despite minor weather delays, showcasing the resilience of the players and organizers.
Annika Sörenstam: The 25-year-old Swedish golfer won her first U.S. Women's Open, firing rounds of 69, 71, 70, and 70 for a total of 280.
Runner-up Pat Bradley: The 41-year-old American finished at 2-over-par 282, narrowly missing her third U.S. Women's Open title.
Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club: This Donald Ross-designed course measured 6,426 yards and played to a par of 71 during the championship.
Prize money: The winner earned $150,000 from a total purse of $1.1 million, reflecting the growing financial stature of women’s professional golf.

How It Works

The U.S. Women's Open is conducted annually by the United States Golf Association (USGA) and features a field of 156 players competing over 72 holes of stroke play. The tournament is open to both amateur and professional female golfers, with qualifying rounds held across the country and internationally to determine the final field.

Qualifying: Over 100 sectional qualifiers are held across the U.S. and abroad, allowing amateurs and professionals to earn a spot in the final field.
Format: The tournament is played over four rounds of 18 holes, with the lowest 72-hole total score determining the champion.
Cut rule: After 36 holes, the field is reduced to the low 60 scorers and ties, ensuring only the top performers continue to the final rounds.
Course setup: The USGA emphasizes challenge, with narrow fairways, thick rough, and fast greens to test all aspects of a player’s game.
Amateur participation: Top-ranked female amateurs are eligible and often compete, with some achieving top-10 finishes in past years.
Historical significance: First held in 1946, the U.S. Women's Open is the oldest active championship in women’s golf and one of the LPGA Tour’s five major events.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 1996 U.S. Women's Open with other editions held at Pine Needles:

Year	Winner	Winning Score	Margin of Victory	Prize Purse
1978	Donna Caponi	Even-par 284	1 stroke	$100,000
1989	Betsy King	3-under-par 281	2 strokes	$400,000
1996	Annika Sörenstam	4-under-par 280	2 strokes	$1.1 million
2007	Christina Kim	4-under-par 280	1 stroke	$2.5 million
2014	Michelle Wie	2-over-par 286	2 strokes	$3.3 million

These comparisons highlight the evolving competitiveness and growing financial scale of the tournament. While course conditions and scoring have varied, Pine Needles has consistently hosted tightly contested championships. The increasing prize purses reflect the rising profile of women’s golf on the global stage.

Why It Matters

The 1996 U.S. Women's Open was a pivotal moment in the careers of several athletes and in the broader landscape of women’s sports. It helped elevate Annika Sörenstam to international stardom and demonstrated the depth of talent in women’s golf during the 1990s. The tournament also contributed to the growing visibility and commercial viability of the LPGA Tour.

Annika Sörenstam’s breakthrough: Winning her first major at Pine Needles launched Sörenstam into golf’s elite, leading to 10 major titles in her career.
International representation: Sörenstam’s win highlighted the growing global reach of women’s golf beyond traditional American dominance.
Course legacy: Pine Needles became synonymous with major women’s championships, later hosting the event again in 2007 and 2014.
Media coverage: The 1996 event received expanded television coverage, increasing fan engagement and sponsorship interest.
Role models: Young female golfers worldwide were inspired by Sörenstam’s composure and precision under pressure.
Historical continuity: The 1996 Open continued a tradition of excellence and challenge that defines the U.S. Women's Open’s enduring legacy.

Overall, the 1996 U.S. Women's Open stands as a landmark event that combined athletic excellence, historical significance, and cultural impact, shaping the future of women’s golf for decades to come.