What Is 2018 United States Women's Open

Overview

The 2018 United States Women's Open was a landmark event in women's professional golf, marking the 73rd edition of the prestigious championship. Held at the Shoal Creek Golf and Country Club in Birmingham, Alabama, it was the first time this course hosted the tournament, drawing widespread attention for its challenging layout and historical significance.

Thailand’s Ariya Jutanugarn claimed victory, securing her second major title after a tightly contested final round. Her win solidified her status among the elite in women’s golf and highlighted the growing international competitiveness of the sport.

• Ariya Jutanugarn finished with a total score of 281 (1-under par), winning by a single stroke over Park Sung-hyun, marking her first U.S. Women's Open title.
• The tournament was held from July 2 to 8, 2018, making it one of the longest-running and most prestigious events in women's golf.
• Shoal Creek Golf and Country Club, a 6,713-yard course with a par of 71, presented tough conditions due to narrow fairways and thick rough.
• The total purse was $5 million, with winner Jutanugarn receiving $585,000, the largest first-place prize in the tournament’s history at the time.
• This was the first time the U.S. Women's Open was hosted in Alabama, expanding the geographic footprint of the event in the southern United States.

How It Works

The U.S. Women's Open operates as a 72-hole stroke play championship with a cut after 36 holes, allowing only the top 60 players and ties to continue. Administered by the United States Golf Association (USGA), it emphasizes precision, endurance, and course management under strict competitive standards.

• Qualification: Players gain entry through sectional qualifying or exemptions based on rankings, prior wins, or past performance in major tournaments, ensuring a globally competitive field.
• Course Setup: The USGA designs the course to be extremely challenging, with narrow fairways, high rough, and firm greens, often resulting in high scores and testing all aspects of a player’s game.
• Par and Yardage: Shoal Creek played at 6,713 yards with a par of 71, favoring long and accurate drivers while penalizing errant shots.
• Prize Money: With a total purse of $5 million, it was one of the richest events in women’s golf, reflecting growing investment in the LPGA Tour.
• Weather Impact: Rain delays affected the third round, pushing play into Monday, a rare occurrence that tested players’ stamina and scheduling flexibility.
• International Field: Of the 156 players, over 40% were from outside the U.S., showcasing the global reach of women’s golf.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 2018 U.S. Women's Open with recent editions in terms of location, winner, score, and prize money:

The 2018 edition stood out for its tighter scoring conditions compared to previous years, with Jutanugarn’s 1-under par being notably lower than the 11-under par in 2017. This reflects the difficulty of Shoal Creek’s design and the USGA’s emphasis on course challenge over low scoring.

Why It Matters

The 2018 U.S. Women's Open was a pivotal moment for women's golf, both in terms of competitive depth and financial growth. It highlighted the increasing parity in the sport and the rising profile of international players on the LPGA Tour.

• Ariya Jutanugarn became the first Thai player to win the U.S. Women's Open, inspiring a new generation of golfers in Southeast Asia.
• The $5 million purse signaled growing corporate and media investment in women’s sports, helping close the gap with men’s tournaments.
• Hosting in Alabama expanded the event’s reach into new U.S. markets, promoting golf in regions with less traditional exposure.
• The narrow margin of victory—one stroke—emphasized the importance of mental toughness and consistency under pressure.
• TV viewership increased by 12% compared to 2017, reflecting greater public interest in women’s golf.
• The USGA’s course management and broadcast production set a benchmark for future women’s major championships.

Overall, the 2018 U.S. Women's Open served as a milestone in the evolution of women’s professional golf, combining competitive excellence with broader cultural and economic significance.