What Is 1997 United States Women's Open

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1997 United States Women's Open was the 52nd edition of the tournament, held from July 10–13 at the Prairie Dunes Country Club in Hutchinson, Kansas. Alison Nicholas of England won her only U.S. Women's Open title, finishing at 4-under-par 280, one stroke ahead of runner-up Nancy Lopez.

Key Facts

The 1997 U.S. Women's Open took place from July 10–13 at Prairie Dunes Country Club in Hutchinson, Kansas
Alison Nicholas won the tournament with a 4-under-par 280, one stroke ahead of Nancy Lopez
This was the first U.S. Women's Open held at Prairie Dunes Country Club
Nicholas became the first Englishwoman to win the U.S. Women's Open since 1988
The event featured a 156-player field competing over 72 holes of stroke play

Overview

The 1997 United States Women's Open was the 52nd edition of the prestigious golf championship, organized by the United States Golf Association (USGA). It was held from July 10 to July 13 at the Prairie Dunes Country Club in Hutchinson, Kansas, a course renowned for its challenging layout and natural prairie landscape.

This tournament marked a significant milestone as it was the first time the U.S. Women's Open was hosted at Prairie Dunes. The event attracted a full field of 156 professional and amateur golfers competing across four rounds of stroke play, with the winner determined by the lowest total score.

Alison Nicholas claimed her first and only U.S. Women's Open title, finishing at 4-under-par 280, one stroke ahead of Nancy Lopez, marking a career-defining victory.
The course played to a length of 6,407 yards and a par of 70, presenting players with wind, native grasses, and firm greens typical of the Great Plains.
Nicholas shot 70-71-69-70 across the four rounds, maintaining consistency under pressure and making a crucial birdie on the 17th hole in the final round.
Runner-up Nancy Lopez, a fan favorite, finished at 3-under 281, narrowly missing a victory in what was one of her final strong performances in a major.
Amateur standout Christina Kim, just 17 years old, tied for 10th place, signaling the emergence of a new generation of American golf talent.

Championship Format and Structure

The U.S. Women's Open follows a standardized format established by the USGA to ensure fairness and competitive integrity across all participants. The tournament spans four days, with 18 holes played each day, and only the top 70 players (including ties) advance after the 36-hole cut.

Field Size: The tournament began with a field of 156 players, including professionals and qualified amateurs from around the world, all vying for the $300,000 winner’s share of the $1.5 million purse.
Cut Rule: After 36 holes, the field was reduced to the top 70 players and ties; 73 golfers advanced to compete in the final two rounds.
Scoring System: The championship used stroke play format, where the player with the lowest cumulative score over 72 holes was declared the winner.
Playoff Procedure: In the event of a tie after regulation, a three-hole aggregate playoff was used; if still tied, sudden death followed.
Course Setup: The USGA set the course with a Course Rating of 74.9 and a Slope Rating of 138, emphasizing precision and course management.
Prize Money: The total purse was $1.5 million, with winner Alison Nicholas earning $300,000, the largest prize in women’s golf at the time.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 1997 U.S. Women's Open with two other major championships from the same year:

Tournament	Winner	Winning Score	Location	First Prize
1997 U.S. Women's Open	Alison Nicholas	4-under 280	Hutchinson, KS	$300,000
1997 LPGA Championship	Alison Nicholas	10-under 278	Eastchester, NY	$250,000
1997 Kraft Nabisco Championship	Alison Nicholas	13-under 275	Rancho Mirage, CA	$225,000
1997 du Maurier Classic	Se Ri Pak	12-under 276	Kingston, Canada	$225,000
1997 British Open Women's Amateur	Julie Hall	6-over 294	County Down, Northern Ireland	Amateur (no prize)

The 1997 U.S. Women's Open stood out for its tight scoring and narrow margin of victory. Unlike the more forgiving layouts of other majors that year, Prairie Dunes demanded accuracy and resilience, resulting in only one player finishing under par. This contrasted sharply with the lower scores seen at the Kraft Nabisco and LPGA Championship, highlighting the USGA’s strict course setup.

Why It Matters

The 1997 U.S. Women's Open holds lasting significance in the history of women’s golf, both for its competitive drama and its role in shaping future tournaments. It showcased the depth of international talent and the growing parity in the women’s game.

Alison Nicholas became the first Englishwoman to win the U.S. Women's Open since Laura Davies in 1987, reinforcing Great Britain’s presence on the global stage.
The tournament highlighted the challenges of Prairie Dunes, which later hosted the 2006 U.S. Women's Open, proving its status as a premier championship venue.
It marked one of the final strong showings by Nancy Lopez, a three-time major winner, underscoring the transition to a new generation of players.
The three-hole playoff format introduced that year added excitement and fairness, later becoming standard in USGA events.
Christina Kim’s top-10 finish as an amateur signaled a shift toward younger, more diverse talent entering the LPGA Tour.
The event drew record local attendance and national TV coverage, boosting visibility for women’s professional golf in the U.S.

Ultimately, the 1997 U.S. Women's Open was a pivotal moment that combined tradition, challenge, and emerging talent, leaving a lasting legacy in the sport’s history.