What Is 2010 US Women's Open

Overview

The 2010 U.S. Women's Open was the 65th edition of the prestigious championship, organized by the United States Golf Association (USGA). It was held at the historic Oakmont Country Club in Oakmont, Pennsylvania, marking a significant moment in women's golf history as one of the most challenging courses in the U.S. hosted the event.

Played from July 8 to 11, the tournament saw intense competition under difficult weather and course conditions. Paula Creamer emerged victorious, capturing her first major title in dramatic fashion, overcoming strong contenders like Inbee Park and Cristie Kerr.

• July 8–11, 2010: The tournament spanned four days at Oakmont Country Club, known for its fast greens and deep bunkers, testing even the most experienced golfers.
• Paula Creamer: Won her first and only U.S. Women's Open, finishing with a 3-over-par total of 287, a testament to the course’s difficulty.
• Runner-up Inbee Park: Finished at 7-over 291, four strokes behind Creamer, highlighting the narrow margin of victory in such a tough field.
• Course setup: Oakmont played at 6,975 yards with a par of 71, one of the longest and most punishing layouts in U.S. Open history.
• Historic significance: Oakmont became the first course to host both the U.S. Open and U.S. Women’s Open within five years, having hosted the men’s event in 2007.

Key Tournament Details

The 2010 U.S. Women's Open featured a field of 156 players, with 66 advancing after the 36-hole cut at 12-over-par 152. Conditions were grueling, with thick rough, firm fairways, and lightning-fast greens contributing to high scores across the leaderboard.

• Winning score: Paula Creamer’s 287 (+3) was among the highest winning totals in U.S. Women’s Open history due to Oakmont’s extreme setup.
• First-round leader: Na Yeon Choi shot 70 (-1), one of only three sub-par rounds in the opening round, setting an early pace.
• Final round performance: Creamer shot a steady 72 (+1) on Sunday, avoiding major mistakes while others faltered under pressure.
• Prize money: The total purse was $3.5 million, with Creamer earning $585,000 for her victory—the largest first-place prize in women’s golf at the time.
• Amateur participation: Ten amateurs competed, but none made the cut, underscoring the course’s difficulty and the depth of professional talent.
• Weather impact: Persistent rain early in the week softened the course slightly, but scoring remained difficult due to thick rough and wind.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2010 U.S. Women's Open compared to other major championships in terms of course, scoring, and key outcomes:

The table illustrates how the 2010 U.S. Women's Open stood out for its high winning score, reflecting Oakmont’s difficulty. Unlike other majors that year, which saw lower scores, the USGA’s setup prioritized precision and endurance. Creamer’s four-stroke margin was unusually wide, indicating her dominance under pressure. The course’s design, particularly the Church Pews bunker complex, played a pivotal role in shaping outcomes across all rounds.

Why It Matters

The 2010 U.S. Women's Open was a landmark event for women's golf, both in terms of competitive rigor and visibility. It showcased the ability of female athletes to conquer one of the most demanding courses in golf, challenging outdated perceptions about women’s sports.

• Paula Creamer’s legacy: The win solidified Creamer as a top-tier player, marking her breakthrough in a major championship after years of near-misses.
• Course equality: Using Oakmont, a course previously reserved for elite men’s events, signaled progress toward gender parity in golf.
• Media coverage: The tournament received expanded broadcast time, increasing visibility for the LPGA and women’s sports overall.
• Inbee Park’s rise: Her runner-up finish foreshadowed her future dominance, as she would go on to win seven major titles.
• USGA standards: The setup demonstrated the USGA’s commitment to equal challenge, applying the same tough conditions used in men’s Opens.
• Inspiration: Creamer’s victory inspired a generation of young female golfers, proving that major titles were attainable through determination and skill.

The 2010 U.S. Women's Open remains a defining moment in golf history—not just for the outcome, but for what it represented in the evolution of women’s sports.