The 1996 U.S. Women's Open was the 51st U.S. Women's Open, held May 30 to June 2 at Pine Needles Lodge and Golf Club in Southern Pines, North Carolina.

1996 U.S. Women's Open
Tournament information
DatesMay 30 – June 2, 1996
LocationSouthern Pines,
North Carolina
Course(s)Pine Needles Lodge
and Golf Club
Organized byUSGA
Tour(s)LPGA Tour
Statistics
Par70
Length6,207 yards (5,676 m)[1][2]
Cut148 (+8)
Prize fund$1.2 million
Winner's share$212,500
Champion
Sweden Annika Sörenstam
272 (−8)
← 1995
1997 →
Southern Pines  is located in the United States
Southern Pines 
Southern Pines 
Pine Needles Lodge & GC is located in North Carolina
Pine Needles Lodge & GC
Pine Needles
Lodge & GC

Defending champion Annika Sörenstam retained the title, six strokes ahead of runner-up Kris Tschetter.[2][3][4] It was the second of her ten major titles; her third came nearly five years later. ESPN and NBC Sports televised the tournament.

Sörenstam was the sixth of seven to win consecutive titles at the U.S. Women's Open, most recently accomplished by Karrie Webb in 2001, also at Pine Needles. The championship returned to the venue for a third time in 2007, won by Cristie Kerr.

This was the first women's major with a winner's share of $200,000 or more; the U.S. Women's Open became the tour's richest major this year, passing the LPGA Championship.

Round summaries edit

First round edit

Thursday, May 30, 1996

Place Player Score To par
T1   Beth Daniel 69 −1
  Kim Williams
T3   Brandie Burton 70 E
  Riko Higashio (a)
  Jenny Lidback
  Sweden
  Michele Redman
  Annika Sörenstam
  Kris Tschetter
T9   Jane Geddes 71 +1
  Trish Johnson
  Rosie Jones
  Emilee Klein
  Catriona Matthew
  Missie McGeorge
  Joan Pitcock
  Maggie Will

Source:[5]

Second round edit

Friday, May 31, 1996

Place Player Score To par
1   Annika Sörenstam 70-67=137 −3
T2   Brandie Burton 70-70=140 E
  Jane Geddes 71-69=140
  Emilee Klein 71-69=140
5   Rosie Jones 71-70=141 +1
T6   Stefania Croce 72-70=142 +2
  Laura Davies 74-68=142
  Gail Graham 72-70=142
  Tammie Green 72-70=142
  Joan Pitcock 71-71=142
  Val Skinner 74-68=142

Source:[6]

Third round edit

Saturday, June 1, 1996

Place Player Score To par
1   Annika Sörenstam 70-67-69=206 −4
2   Brandie Burton 70-70-69=209 −1
3   Jane Geddes 71-69-70=210 E
T4   Pat Bradley 74-70-67=211 +1
  Tammie Green 72-70-69=211
T6   Laura Davies 74-68-70=212 +2
  Nancy Harvey 72-71-69=212
  Mayumi Hirase 74-69-69=212
  Michele Redman 70-73-69=212
  Kris Tschetter 70-74-68=212

Source:[7]

Final round edit

Sunday, June 2, 1996

Place Player Score To par Money ($)
1   Annika Sörenstam 70-67-69-66=272 −8 212,500
2   Kris Tschetter 70-74-68-66=278 −2 125,000
T3   Brandie Burton 70-70-69-71=280 E 60,373
  Jane Geddes 71-69-70-70=280
  Pat Bradley 74-70-67-69=280
6   Laura Davies 74-68-70-69=281 +1 40,077
7   Catrin Nilsmark 72-73-68-69=282 +2 35,995
T8   Cindy Rarick 73-70-72-68=283 +3 29,584
  Liselotte Neumann 74-69-70-70=283
  Tammie Green 72-70-69-72=283
  Val Skinner 74-68-71-70=283

Source:[3]

References edit

  1. ^ Garrity, John (June 10, 1996). "Timeless Track". Sports Illustrated. p. G6.
  2. ^ a b "Sorenstam strolls to victory". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. (New York Times), Associated Press. June 3, 1996. p. 4C.
  3. ^ a b Sirak, Ron (June 3, 1996). "Sorenstam makes Open a closed affair". Eugene Register-Guard. Oregon. Associated Press. p. 1C.
  4. ^ Bamberger, Michael (June 10, 1996). "Second Coming". Sports Illustrated. p. G2. Archived from the original on October 29, 2018. Retrieved December 10, 2017.
  5. ^ "U.S. Women's Open". Wilmington Morning Star. North Carolina. May 31, 1996. p. 4C.
  6. ^ "Sorenstam halfway to defending title". Eugene Register-Guard. Oregon. Associated Press. June 1, 1996. p. 3D.
  7. ^ "Women's Open far from closed by 3-shot lead". Eugene Register-Guard. Oregon. Associated Press. June 2, 1996. p. 8F.

External links edit

35°11′49″N 79°23′31″W / 35.197°N 79.392°W / 35.197; -79.392