United States Women's Open Championship (golf)
The United States Women's Open Golf Championship, one of thirteen national championships conducted by the United States Golf Association (USGA), is one of the LPGA Tour's four major championships along with the LPGA Championship, the Women's British Open, and the Kraft Nabisco Championship. Established in 1946, it is the oldest women's major and the only event to have been recognized as a major by the LPGA since its founding in 1950. Usually held in early July, the U.S. Women's Open is the third major of the LPGA season and has the highest purse in women's golf, at $3.25 million in 2012.
Unlike its men's counterpart, the U.S. Women's Open is not globally recognized as a major championship. The Ladies European Tour does not sanction any of the three majors held in the United States, and the LPGA of Japan Tour has its own set of majors. The significance of this is limited, as the LPGA Tour is the dominant tour in women's golf.
In 2007, international players outnumbered Americans for the first time. The 2008 tournament was won by 19-year-old South Korean Inbee Park, who became the event's youngest winner ever.
The 2012 championship, won by Na Yeon Choi, was played July 5-8 at Blackwolf Run in Kohler, Wisconsin, which previously hosted the event in 1998, won by Se Ri Pak in a Monday playoff that extended to 20 holes. The Original Championship Course for 2012 played just under 7,000 yards (6,400 m), over 500 yards (460 m) longer than in 1998..
Read more about United States Women's Open Championship (golf): Qualification, Winners
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