What Is 2007 U.S. Women's Open

Overview

The 2007 U.S. Women's Open was a pivotal moment in women's professional golf, marking the 62nd edition of the tournament and the first time the event was hosted at the Olympic Club in San Francisco, California. Played from July 9 to July 15, the tournament attracted the world’s top female golfers competing on the challenging Lake Course layout.

Amid difficult weather conditions and a demanding course setup, Cristie Kerr emerged victorious, capturing her first and only U.S. Women's Open title. Her win was notable not only for its margin of victory but also for the consistency she displayed throughout all four rounds under intense pressure.

• July 9–15, 2007: The tournament spanned eight days due to a rain delay that pushed the final round to Monday, a rare scheduling occurrence in modern golf.
• Cristie Kerr: The American golfer shot a final round 69 to finish at 4-over-par 284, securing her first major championship at the age of 29.
• Lake Course at the Olympic Club: A par-71, 6,580-yard layout that tested players with thick rough, narrow fairways, and unpredictable winds off Lake Merced.
• Runner-up Lorena Ochoa: The world’s top-ranked player at the time finished second at 7-over 287, unable to close the gap despite strong contention on Sunday.
• Prize money: Kerr earned $560,000 from a total purse of $3.1 million, the largest in women’s golf at the time.

How It Was Played

The 2007 U.S. Women's Open followed the traditional 72-hole stroke play format, with a cut after 36 holes reducing the field to the top 60 players and ties. The tournament’s difficulty was amplified by weather and course conditions, making scoring unusually high for a major championship.

• Par 71: The Olympic Club’s Lake Course played as a par-71 for the event, shorter than many majors but more challenging due to layout and weather. This affected scoring strategies and club selection throughout the week.
• Course length: Measuring 6,580 yards, the course was relatively short by modern standards, but thick rough and wind limited driver usage and forced precision iron play.
• Weather impact: Persistent fog and rain delayed the final round, forcing play into Monday and disrupting players’ routines and travel plans.
• Scoring average: The field averaged 74.3 strokes per round, significantly higher than typical LPGA Tour events, highlighting the course’s difficulty.
• Top 60 cut: After 36 holes, the cut fell at 11-over-par, with 78 players advancing due to a tie, exceeding the usual cut line and allowing more competitors to continue.
• Amateur participation: Only two amateurs made the cut, including 17-year-old Morgan Pressel, who finished T15 and was the low amateur.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 2007 U.S. Women's Open with recent editions in terms of scoring, attendance, and prize structure.

The table reveals that the 2007 event had one of the highest winning scores in recent memory, tied with 2006 at +4, reflecting the Olympic Club’s difficulty. Prize money had risen steadily, and Kerr’s share matched the previous year’s, showing growth in the tournament’s financial stature.

Why It Matters

The 2007 U.S. Women's Open was a landmark event for American golf, both in terms of competitive significance and historical context. It showcased the depth of talent in women’s golf and highlighted the U.S. Open’s tradition of rewarding precision and mental toughness over raw power.

• First Olympic Club women’s major: This was the first time the U.S. Women's Open was held at the storied Olympic Club, expanding the venue’s legacy in golf history.
• Cristie Kerr’s breakthrough: The win marked Kerr’s first major title after years of near-misses, solidifying her status as one of the LPGA’s elite players.
• Weather challenges: The rain delay underscored the unpredictability of major championships and tested players’ adaptability and endurance.
• U.S. representation: With Kerr’s win, the U.S. reclaimed a major title after international dominance in previous years, boosting national pride.
• Course setup precedent: The USGA’s setup emphasized fairness and challenge, influencing future major course preparations for women’s events.
• Media coverage: The tournament received increased television exposure, helping grow the LPGA’s visibility during a transitional period in women’s sports.

Ultimately, the 2007 U.S. Women's Open remains a defining moment in Cristie Kerr’s career and a benchmark for competitive excellence in women’s golf.