What Is 2020 U.S. Women's Open

Overview

The 2020 U.S. Women's Open was the 75th edition of the prestigious tournament, organized by the United States Golf Association (USGA). Originally scheduled for June, it was postponed due to the global pandemic and became the final major of the 2020 season.

Played at Champions Golf Club’s Jackrabbit Course in Houston, Texas, the event featured 156 of the world’s top female golfers competing over four grueling rounds. Despite challenging weather and course conditions, the tournament delivered one of the most dramatic finishes in recent memory.

• Event Dates: Held from December 17–20, 2020, making it the first U.S. Women’s Open ever held in December.
• Location: Champions Golf Club in Houston, Texas, a private club hosting a U.S. Women’s Open for the first time.
• Winner:A Lim Kim of South Korea secured her first major title, finishing at −7 under par.
• Final Round Surge: Kim shot a 67 in the final round, the lowest of the day, to overcome a six-stroke deficit.
• Prize Money: The tournament offered a record $5.5 million purse, with $1 million going to the champion.

How It Works

The U.S. Women’s Open follows a strict format governed by the USGA, emphasizing fairness, course difficulty, and competitive integrity. Players qualify through sectional events or exemptions based on rankings and past performance.

• Qualification:156 players qualified via sectional tournaments or exempt status, including top LPGA and amateur golfers.
• Format: A 72-hole stroke play event with no cut after 36 holes, ensuring all participants complete four rounds.
• Course Setup: The Jackrabbit Course was set at 6,809 yards and played to a par of 71, with narrow fairways and thick rough.
• Weather Impact: Persistent wind and rain led to high scores, with the winning score of −7 reflecting course difficulty.
• Final Round Drama: Kim made five birdies in the last nine holes, including a 40-foot putt on the 17th to take the lead.
• Historic Context: This was the first U.S. Women’s Open delayed due to public health concerns, highlighting adaptability in sports scheduling.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is how the 2020 U.S. Women’s Open compares to recent editions in key metrics:

The 2020 event stood out due to its unusual December timing and the dramatic comeback by A Lim Kim. While the purse matched the 2019 total, the course conditions and weather made scoring more difficult than in previous years, emphasizing resilience over raw power.

Why It Matters

The 2020 U.S. Women's Open was a landmark event for women’s golf, both in terms of competitive drama and symbolic progress. It showcased the depth of talent in the LPGA and the growing global reach of the sport.

• Global Representation: Players from 28 countries competed, highlighting the internationalization of women’s golf.
• Resilience in Adversity: The successful execution during a pandemic proved the flexibility and determination of the golf community.
• Record Purses: The $5.5 million purse set a benchmark, increasing financial incentives for female athletes.
• Amateur Participation:15 amateurs qualified, including top collegiate players, emphasizing developmental pathways.
• Media Coverage: The event received record viewership in Asia, especially in South Korea, due to Kim’s victory.
• Historic Comeback: Kim’s final-round charge became one of the most celebrated comebacks in women’s major championship history.

The 2020 U.S. Women’s Open not only crowned a new champion but also reinforced the tournament’s status as a premier event in women’s sports, combining tradition, drama, and global significance.