What Is 2001 U.S. Women's Open

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2001 U.S. Women's Open was won by Karrie Webb at age 26, marking her second consecutive U.S. Women's Open title and seventh major championship. The tournament was held from July 12–15 at Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club in Southern Pines, North Carolina.

Key Facts

Karrie Webb won the 2001 U.S. Women's Open at age 26
The event took place from July 12–15, 2001
Venue: Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club, Southern Pines, NC
Webb finished with a total score of 282 (+2), two strokes ahead of runner-up Se Ri Pak
This was Webb's seventh major championship victory

Overview

The 2001 U.S. Women's Open was the 56th edition of the prestigious tournament, organized by the United States Golf Association (USGA). Held at Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club in Southern Pines, North Carolina, it marked a significant moment in women’s golf history due to Karrie Webb’s dominant performance.

Webb defended her 2000 title successfully, becoming the first woman since Betsy King in 1990 to win back-to-back U.S. Women's Opens. The tournament drew top players from around the world, competing on a challenging 6,433-yard course set up to test precision and endurance under humid summer conditions.

Karrie Webb claimed victory with a final score of 282 (+2), two strokes ahead of Se Ri Pak, securing her second consecutive U.S. Women’s Open title.
The tournament was held from July 12–15, 2001, during peak summer heat, which impacted scoring and player stamina across all four rounds.
Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club hosted the event for the third time, having previously held the U.S. Women’s Open in 1996 and 1974, establishing its reputation as a classic championship venue.
Webb’s final round included a crucial birdie on the 16th hole, helping her maintain a narrow lead over the charging Se Ri Pak, who finished second.
This win marked Webb’s seventh career major championship, further cementing her status as one of the leading figures in women’s golf during the early 2000s.

How It Was Played

The 2001 U.S. Women’s Open followed the standard 72-hole stroke play format, with the field cut to the top 60 players and ties after 36 holes. The course setup emphasized accuracy over distance, with narrow fairways and thick rough.

Course Length: At 6,433 yards, Pine Needles played shorter than modern standards but penalized wayward drives heavily, favoring strategic play.
Par and Yardage: The course was set at par 72, with a mix of long par-4s and reachable par-5s that required careful approach decisions.
Winning Score: Karrie Webb finished at +2 (282), reflecting the difficult conditions and tight scoring under USGA tournament setup.
Runner-Up: South Korea’s Se Ri Pak finished second at +4, continuing her strong record in U.S. Women’s Opens with consistent top-10 finishes.
Amateur Performance: The low amateur was Brittany Lang, who finished T15 at +9, signaling the emergence of a future LPGA star.
Weather Conditions: Temperatures reached the mid-90s, with high humidity, contributing to slower greens and increased physical strain on competitors.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2001 U.S. Women’s Open compares to other recent editions in terms of scoring, venue, and margin of victory:

Year	Champion	Winning Score	Margin of Victory	Host Course
2001	Karrie Webb	+2 (282)	2 strokes	Pine Needles, NC
2000	Karrie Webb	−8 (272)	1 stroke	Interlachen, MN
1999	Young-A Yang	−3 (277)	3 strokes	Pumpkin Ridge, OR
1998	Annika Sörenstam	−8 (276)	1 stroke	Blackwolf Run, WI
1997	Alison Nicholas	−1 (283)	2 strokes	Philadelphia CC, PA

The 2001 event stood out for its tight scoring and competitive pressure, especially compared to the lower scores in 2000 and 1998. Webb’s ability to win under tougher conditions at Pine Needles highlighted her mental toughness and course management skills, distinguishing her from peers.

Why It Matters

The 2001 U.S. Women’s Open had lasting significance in the evolution of women’s professional golf, showcasing elite-level competition and the rising global talent in the sport. It also reinforced the USGA’s commitment to challenging setups that test all aspects of a player’s game.

Karrie Webb became the first woman since Betsy King (1989–1990) to win consecutive U.S. Women’s Opens, a rare feat in modern golf.
The tournament highlighted the growing competitiveness of international players, with Se Ri Pak and others pushing the American dominance.
Webb’s victory solidified her position as World No. 1 in women’s golf, a ranking she held for much of the early 2000s.
Pine Needles’ success led to it hosting future majors, including the 2007 and 2022 U.S. Women’s Opens, proving its enduring legacy.
The event drew strong TV ratings, helping boost visibility for the LPGA and encouraging greater sponsorship investment.
It also inspired a new generation of players, including future champions like Brittany Lang and Ariya Jutanugarn, who cited Webb as a role model.

Ultimately, the 2001 U.S. Women’s Open remains a benchmark for excellence, resilience, and competitive depth in women’s golf history.