What Is 1990 US Women's Open

Overview

The 1990 U.S. Women's Open was a pivotal moment in women's golf history, marking the 45th edition of the prestigious championship. Held at the Atlanta Athletic Club in Duluth, Georgia, it showcased elite competition and historic performances under challenging conditions.

Defending champion Betsy King captured her second consecutive title, becoming the first woman since Louise Suggs in 1957–1958 to achieve this feat. The tournament drew a strong field of 156 players, with only 61 advancing after the cut.

• July 12–15, 1990: The event spanned four days at the Atlanta Athletic Club's Highlands Course, known for its tight fairways and fast greens.
• Betsy King: The champion finished at 4-under-par 280, securing victory with a final-round 69 despite gusty winds and firm putting surfaces.
• Patty Sheehan: Finished second at 2-over-par 282, mounting a Sunday charge but falling short by two strokes.
• First-round leader: Tied at 68 were Nancy Lopez and Beth Daniel, both top-10 players in the world rankings at the time.
• Course length: The Highlands Course played at 6,426 yards, with a par of 70, making scoring difficult for even the best in the field.

How It Works

The U.S. Women's Open operates under a strict format combining stroke play and rigorous qualification standards. Administered by the USGA, it is open to both amateur and professional female golfers worldwide.

• Eligibility: Players must hold a handicap index of 2.4 or lower; many qualify through sectional tournaments held globally.
• Qualifying: Over 100 sectional sites across the U.S. and internationally determine 60% of the field; the rest gain entry via exemptions.
• Format: Four 18-hole rounds of stroke play; after 36 holes, a cut reduces the field to the top 60 and ties.
• Championship structure: No prize money is guaranteed; the winner receives the Harton S. Northrop Trophy and a seven-figure purse.
• USGA oversight: The governing body enforces strict rules on course setup, including narrow fairways, thick rough, and fast greens to test precision.
• Amateur inclusion: Notable amateurs like Michelle McGann competed in 1990, adding depth and prestige to the field.

Comparison at a Glance

The 1990 U.S. Women's Open can be better understood by comparing it to other major championships and past editions of the event.

This table highlights how scoring varied across events in 1990, with the U.S. Women's Open being one of the most demanding. Betsy King’s dominance across multiple majors that year underscored her status as the season’s top player. The Atlanta Athletic Club’s setup emphasized accuracy over distance, a hallmark of USGA championships.

Why It Matters

The 1990 U.S. Women's Open had lasting significance for women's golf, both in terms of individual achievement and broader visibility for the sport. It occurred during a period of growing professionalism and media attention for the LPGA Tour.

• Historic back-to-back win: Betsy King became the first woman since 1958 to win consecutive U.S. Women's Opens, cementing her legacy.
• Television coverage: ABC Sports broadcast the final round, increasing exposure and drawing new fans to women's golf.
• Prize purse: The $175,000 first-place prize in 1990 was among the largest in women's golf at the time.
• Course setup influence: The USGA’s challenging conditions at Atlanta Athletic Club set a template for future major championships.
• Role models: Players like King, Sheehan, and Lopez inspired a generation of young female golfers in the U.S. and abroad.
• Path to equality: The tournament highlighted ongoing disparities in prize money and media coverage, fueling future advocacy efforts.

The 1990 U.S. Women's Open remains a landmark event, remembered for Betsy King’s composure under pressure and the tournament’s role in advancing women's professional golf during a transformative era.