What Is 2014 U.S. Women's Open

Overview

The 2014 U.S. Women's Open was the 69th edition of the championship, hosted at Pinehurst Resort’s iconic Course No. 2 in North Carolina. It marked the first time the U.S. Women’s Open was held at the same venue and week after the U.S. Men’s Open, creating a historic 'Back-to-Back' setup.

South Korea’s Michelle Wie claimed her first major title, overcoming years of near-misses and injuries. Her victory was celebrated as a breakthrough, as she became the first American woman to win the title since 2010.

• Michelle Wie shot a final-round 68 to finish at 2-under-par 282, securing her maiden major championship after years of promise.
• The event was held from June 19 to June 22, 2014, immediately following the men’s U.S. Open on the same course.
• Pinehurst No. 2 underwent a restoration by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, returning to its traditional wiregrass and sandy surrounds.
• Stacy Lewis, the 2013 champion, finished second at even par, two strokes behind Wie, marking a tight final leaderboard.
• The tournament’s total purse was $4 million, with $720,000 awarded to the winner, reflecting the USGA’s growing investment in women’s golf.

How It Works

The U.S. Women’s Open is a 72-hole stroke play championship operated by the United States Golf Association (USGA), featuring a field of 156 players, including professionals and top amateurs.

• Format: The tournament is played over four rounds of 18 holes each, with a cut after 36 holes reducing the field to the top 60 and ties.
• Eligibility: Players qualify through sectional events or exemptions based on past performance, world rankings, or amateur status.
• Course Setup: The USGA emphasizes difficulty, with narrow fairways, thick rough, and firm greens, as seen at Pinehurst’s restored No. 2 layout.
• Historic Significance: First held in 1946, the U.S. Women’s Open is one of the five major championships in women’s professional golf.
• 2014 Field Size: 156 players competed, including 20 qualifiers from a 36-hole sectional held in May across multiple U.S. sites.
• Weather Impact: Rain delays affected the third round, compressing play and testing players’ endurance over the weekend.

Comparison at a Glance

The 2014 U.S. Women’s Open is often compared to other major championships in terms of course difficulty, scoring, and historical context.

The 2014 edition stood out due to its challenging course conditions and the emotional weight of Wie’s victory. Unlike the men’s U.S. Open held the week prior, scoring was tighter, reflecting the difficulty of Pinehurst No. 2 under USGA standards.

Why It Matters

The 2014 U.S. Women's Open was a pivotal moment for women’s golf, highlighting both competitive excellence and growing visibility for female athletes.

• Michelle Wie’s breakthrough validated years of media attention and pressure, proving her ability to win under intense scrutiny.
• The Back-to-Back format with the men’s U.S. Open boosted television ratings and public interest in women’s golf.
• Pinehurst’s restoration showcased a return to classic golf architecture, influencing future course designs and USGA setups.
• The tournament’s $4 million purse signaled increasing financial parity and investment in women’s professional sports.
• Wie’s win inspired a new generation of Asian-American golfers and expanded the sport’s demographic reach in the U.S.
• High-profile coverage by ESPN and NBC demonstrated the growing media value of women’s major championships.

The 2014 U.S. Women's Open remains a landmark event, remembered for its drama, historical context, and role in advancing gender equity in golf.