What Is 2004 U.S. Women's Open

Overview

The 2004 U.S. Women's Open was the 59th edition of the tournament and one of the most dramatic in its history. Held at the challenging Orchards Golf Club in Washington, Michigan, it featured a tightly contested field of 156 players competing over four grueling days.

Played from July 1 to July 4, 2004, the championship was marked by tough weather conditions and a narrow margin of victory. Micah Rucker emerged victorious, claiming her first major title and making history as the first Australian woman to win the U.S. Women's Open.

• July 1–4, 2004: The tournament spanned four days, beginning with a 36-hole cut after the second round to narrow the field to the top 60 and ties.
• Orchards Golf Club: A par-72, 6,750-yard course that tested players with thick rough, narrow fairways, and fast greens, contributing to high scoring.
• Micah Rucker: Entered the final round tied for the lead and shot a steady 72 on Sunday to finish at 283 (+3), securing her breakthrough win.
• Se Ri Pak: The 1998 champion finished second at 284 (+4), missing a birdie putt on the 18th that would have forced a playoff.
• Historic achievement: Rucker’s win marked the first time an Australian woman claimed the U.S. Women's Open title, elevating her global profile.

How It Works

The U.S. Women's Open is one of the five major championships in women’s professional golf, administered by the USGA. It features a 72-hole stroke play format with a cut after 36 holes to include only the top performers moving into the weekend rounds.

• Format: The tournament uses 72 holes of stroke play, with a 36-hole cut reducing the field to the top 60 players and ties after Friday’s round.
• Eligibility: Open to both amateur and professional female golfers; entrants must meet USGA handicap requirements or qualify through sectional tournaments.
• Qualifying: Over 100 players earn spots through sectional qualifying events held across the U.S. and internationally in the weeks before the championship.
• Course setup: The USGA designs the course to be extremely challenging, with narrow fairways, thick rough, and firm, fast greens to test all aspects of a player’s game.
• Prize money: In 2004, the total purse was $2.5 million, with the winner receiving $380,000—the largest prize in women’s golf at the time.
• Weather impact: Rain delays and wind affected scoring in 2004, with only four players finishing under par, highlighting the course’s difficulty.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 2004 U.S. Women's Open with other recent editions in terms of location, winner, score, and margin of victory.

The 2004 event stood out for its high scoring and narrow margin of victory, reflecting the difficulty of the Orchards layout. Unlike the lower-scoring 2003 and 2002 events, the 2004 Open saw only minimal under-par play due to course conditions and weather, making Rucker’s composure under pressure especially notable.

Why It Matters

The 2004 U.S. Women's Open had lasting significance in the landscape of women’s golf, both for its competitive drama and its role in expanding the sport’s global reach.

• International breakthrough: Micah Rucker’s win highlighted the growing global talent in women’s golf, inspiring a new generation of Australian players.
• Competitive depth: The tight leaderboard, with only one stroke separating first and second, underscored the increasing parity in women’s professional golf.
• USGA standards: The setup at Orchards reinforced the USGA’s commitment to challenging course conditions, emphasizing skill and mental toughness.
• Media attention: The close finish and international winner boosted TV ratings and press coverage, increasing visibility for the LPGA Tour.
• Historic context: Rucker became the first non-American winner since 1997, marking a shift toward a more diverse field of champions.
• Legacy: The 2004 Open is remembered for its drama, difficulty, and the breakthrough performance of a trailblazing international athlete.

The tournament remains a benchmark for resilience and excellence, symbolizing how preparation, focus, and adaptability can lead to historic achievements on golf’s biggest stages.