What Is 1995 United States Women's Open

Overview

The 1995 United States Women's Open was a landmark event in women's golf, commemorating the 50th edition of the championship. Held from July 6 to July 9, it took place at the Broadmoor Golf Club, a challenging course situated at high elevation in Colorado Springs, Colorado, which significantly impacted ball flight and player strategy.

This tournament marked a turning point in Annika Sörenstam's career, as she claimed her first U.S. Women's Open title, solidifying her status as a rising star in the LPGA. The high-altitude conditions tested even the most seasoned players, contributing to higher-than-average scores across the field.

• Annika Sörenstam won her first U.S. Women's Open title at age 24, finishing with a four-round total of 288 (+8), one stroke ahead of Pat Bradley.
• The event was hosted at the Broadmoor Golf Club, a par-72 course measuring 6,405 yards, unusually short due to the thin air at over 6,000 feet above sea level.
• Extreme altitude caused golf balls to travel farther, leading to scoring adjustments and strategic changes, with many players opting for lower-trajectory shots.
• Pat Bradley finished second at 289 (+9), narrowly missing her third U.S. Women's Open title in a career-defining final round performance.
• The 50th anniversary of the tournament was celebrated with historical exhibits and appearances by past champions, including Mickey Wright and Betsy Rawls.

How It Works

The U.S. Women's Open operates under strict USGA regulations, combining stroke play format with rigorous qualifying procedures to ensure only the best players compete.

• Qualifying Rounds: Over 1,000 players enter local and sectional qualifiers. Only 78 players earned spots in the 1995 field through this process, joining exempt professionals.
• Four-Round Format: The tournament spans four days, with 18 holes played daily. The player with the lowest total score after 72 holes wins, as seen in Sörenstam’s victory.
• Course Setup: The USGA designed the Broadmoor layout with narrow fairways and fast greens, resulting in a scoring average of 72.0 for the field—challenging for a par-72 course.
• Weather Impact: High altitude and afternoon thunderstorms disrupted play, with two groups completing their final rounds on Monday due to delays.
• Prize Money: The winner received $150,000 from a total purse of $1 million, the largest in women’s golf at the time, reflecting the event’s growing prestige.
• Amateur Participation: Nine amateurs competed, but none made the cut, highlighting the dominance of professional players under major championship pressure.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 1995 U.S. Women's Open compares to other editions in terms of key metrics:

The 1995 edition stands out for its high scoring due to elevation and weather, contrasting with lower scores in sea-level tournaments. Sörenstam’s win marked the beginning of a dominant era, while the Broadmoor course remains one of the most unique venues in Open history due to its altitude.

Why It Matters

The 1995 U.S. Women's Open had lasting implications for the sport, both in terms of player legacies and the evolution of women’s golf. Sörenstam’s victory launched her into superstardom, eventually leading to 10 major championships.

• Sörenstam’s breakthrough signaled a generational shift, ending the dominance of 1980s-era stars and ushering in a new wave of international talent.
• The tournament highlighted the impact of altitude on golf strategy, prompting future course setups to account for environmental factors more carefully.
• Record television ratings for the final round demonstrated growing public interest in women’s professional golf during the mid-1990s.
• Increased prize money reflected the LPGA’s efforts to close the gender gap in golf earnings, though disparities still persisted.
• The Broadmoor’s success as a host venue led to its selection for future USGA events, including the 2011 U.S. Women’s Open.
• This event helped solidify the U.S. Women's Open as the most prestigious tournament in women’s golf, comparable to the men’s U.S. Open in stature.

The 1995 championship remains a pivotal moment in golf history, remembered for its dramatic finish, unique conditions, and the rise of one of the game’s greatest players.