What Is 1958 US Women's Open

Overview

The 1958 U.S. Women's Open was the 13th edition of the prestigious championship and marked a pivotal moment in women's golf history. Held at Forest Lake Country Club in Woodbury, Minnesota, it featured a competitive field of 78 players vying for the title under challenging summer conditions.

Young American golfer Mickey Wright emerged victorious, capturing her first U.S. Women's Open title in dramatic fashion. Her win signaled the beginning of a dominant era in women's golf, as she would go on to win the tournament three more times in the next seven years.

• Mickey Wright claimed her first U.S. Women's Open title at age 23, finishing with a four-round total of 292 (+12), just one stroke ahead of Kathy Cornelius.
• The tournament was played from June 12 to 14, 1958, making it one of the earliest mid-June editions of the event in history.
• Forest Lake Country Club, a par-72 course, presented tough conditions due to heat and firm greens, contributing to higher-than-average scoring.
• Kathy Cornelius finished second at 293, narrowly missing her chance to win after leading late in the final round.
• This victory marked the start of Wright’s record-tying four U.S. Women's Open wins, a feat matched only by Betsy Rawls in the tournament’s history.

Performance & Tournament Highlights

The 1958 U.S. Women's Open was defined by tight scoring and late-round drama, with several players in contention heading into the final day. Mickey Wright’s composure under pressure distinguished her from the field, particularly in the closing holes.

• Round 1: Wright opened with a solid 72 (+1), placing her in the top five after the first day, trailing early leader Betty Jameson by two strokes.
• Round 2: She shot 73 (+2), maintaining her position near the top as Kathy Cornelius surged with a 70 to take a narrow lead at 144 (+3).
• Round 3: Wright fired a 71 (+0), the best score of the day, to move within one stroke of Cornelius, who struggled with a 75 (+4).
• Final Round: Wright carded a 76 (+4) on a hot, windy day, while Cornelius shot 77 (+5), allowing Wright to win by a single stroke.
• Scoring Average: The field averaged 75.3 per round, reflecting the difficulty of the course setup and weather conditions.
• Winner’s Prize: Wright earned $1,750 from a total purse of $10,000, a modest sum compared to modern standards but significant for the era.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 1958 U.S. Women's Open with other notable editions in terms of scoring, margin of victory, and historical context.

The 1958 tournament stands out for its narrow winning margin and Wright’s breakthrough performance. Compared to later editions she won, the scoring was higher due to course conditions, but her consistency across all four rounds proved decisive.

Why It Matters

The 1958 U.S. Women's Open was a turning point in women's professional golf, elevating Mickey Wright to stardom and setting the stage for her legendary career. Her victory inspired a generation of female athletes and helped grow the visibility of women's golf.

• Wright became the first woman to win multiple U.S. Women's Opens in the 1950s, joining legends like Betsy Rawls and Patty Berg.
• Her win demonstrated that younger players could succeed at the highest level, shifting perceptions about age and experience in women's golf.
• The tournament highlighted the growing competitiveness of the LPGA, which had been founded just a decade earlier in 1950.
• Forest Lake Country Club’s hosting of the event brought national attention to Minnesota as a golf destination.
• Wright’s aggressive playing style and mental toughness became a model for future champions like Annika Sörenstam and Karrie Webb.
• The 1958 Open remains a benchmark in U.S. Women's Open history for its dramatic finish and the emergence of a golfing icon.

Today, the 1958 U.S. Women's Open is remembered not just for its outcome, but for its role in shaping the trajectory of women's golf. Mickey Wright’s legacy endures as one of the sport’s most influential figures.