What Is 23rd U.S. Women's Open

Overview

The 23rd U.S. Women's Open, held in 1968, marked a pivotal moment in women's golf history, signaling the emergence of a new champion in Donna Caponi. At just 22 years old, Caponi captured her first U.S. Women's Open title, defeating veteran Kathy Whitworth by a single stroke in a tightly contested final round.

Hosted at the Moselem Springs Golf Club in Fleetwood, Pennsylvania, the tournament was notable for its challenging course conditions and competitive field. The 1968 event drew 117 entrants, with only the top 60 and ties advancing after the 36-hole cut, reflecting the growing depth of talent in women's professional golf.

• Donna Caponi won her first U.S. Women's Open title, beginning a legacy that would include four total victories in the championship by 1979.
• The tournament was played from June 27 to June 30, 1968, making it one of the earliest mid-summer editions of the event.
• Caponi finished with a total score of 293 (+13), one stroke ahead of runner-up Kathy Whitworth, who carded 294.
• The venue, Moselem Springs Golf Club, was a relatively modest course compared to modern championship layouts, measuring just over 6,000 yards.
• This victory made Caponi the youngest winner of the U.S. Women's Open at the time, a record that stood until 1997 when 19-year-old Se Ri Pak won.

How It Works

The U.S. Women's Open operates under a strict format designed to test the world's best female golfers through a combination of stroke play, qualifying rounds, and rigorous course setup.

• Format: The tournament uses 72 holes of stroke play over four days, with a 36-hole cut reducing the field after the second round.
• Eligibility: Any female golfer, amateur or professional, can enter if she meets USGA handicap requirements or qualifies through sectional events.
• Qualifying: Over 100 sectional qualifiers are held across the U.S. and internationally, with approximately 100 players earning spots in the field.
• Course Setup: The USGA sets up courses to emphasize precision, with narrow fairways, thick rough, and fast greens, often yielding high winning scores.
• Field Size: The field typically includes around 156 players, with exemptions for past champions, major winners, and top LPGA performers.
• Prize Money: While the 1968 purse was modest at $25,000 (with $5,000 to the winner), modern purses exceed $10 million, reflecting the growth of women's golf.

Comparison at a Glance

A comparison of the 23rd U.S. Women's Open with modern editions highlights the evolution of the tournament in terms of scale, competition, and prize structure.

The data shows a dramatic shift in the professionalization of women's golf. While the 1968 tournament was a significant event in its time, modern editions feature longer courses, lower scores due to improved equipment and athleticism, and exponentially larger financial rewards, reflecting broader societal and institutional support for women in sports.

Why It Matters

The 23rd U.S. Women's Open was more than just a golf tournament—it was a milestone in the development of women's professional sports and the visibility of female athletes in a male-dominated era.

• Donna Caponi's victory inspired a generation of young female golfers, proving that women could compete at the highest levels of the sport.
• The event helped legitimize the LPGA during a period when women's sports received minimal media coverage or sponsorship.
• Winning at a young age, Caponi became a role model for future champions like Nancy Lopez and Michelle Wie.
• The tournament's modest purse highlighted the gender pay gap in sports, a disparity that continues to be addressed today.
• Its broadcast and print coverage, though limited, laid the groundwork for future television deals and fan engagement.
• The 1968 Open contributed to the USGA's long-term commitment to gender equity, culminating in equal prize money at the U.S. Open in 2023.

Today, the legacy of the 23rd U.S. Women's Open endures not only in record books but in the ongoing fight for equality and recognition in professional golf. It stands as a testament to the perseverance and talent of early female athletes who paved the way for today’s stars.