What Is 2005 United States Women's Open

Overview

The 2005 United States Women's Open was the 60th edition of the tournament, held from June 30 to July 3 at Cherry Hills Country Club in Colorado. Due to persistent rain, the final round extended into Monday, July 10, creating dramatic tension as players battled both the course and the weather.

This edition stood out for its competitive field, challenging conditions, and the emergence of a young champion. The tournament tested endurance and precision, with only 13 players finishing under par, highlighting the course's difficulty.

• Winner: South Korean golfer birdie Kim claimed her first major title, becoming the youngest U.S. Women's Open champion since 1998 at age 19.
• Final score: Kim finished with a 72-hole total of 284 (+4), securing victory by a single stroke over Lorena Ochoa.
• Course conditions: Cherry Hills played to 6,857 yards at par 71, with thick rough and fast greens amplifying difficulty.
• Weather impact: Rain delays pushed the final round into Monday, disrupting player schedules and increasing mental pressure.
• Historic context: This was the first Women's Open held at Cherry Hills since 1967, marking a return to a classic venue.

Championship Format and Play

The U.S. Women's Open follows a strict 72-hole stroke play format, with ties after regulation settled by an 18-hole playoff the following day. In 2005, the playoff was avoided as Kim held her lead through a tense final nine.

• Format:72-hole stroke play with a 36-hole cut after the second round; only the top 70 and ties advanced.
• Field size:156 players started the tournament, including 20 amateurs and 136 professionals from 23 countries.
• Cut line: The cut fell at 148 (+8), leaving 71 players to compete over the weekend.
• Winning margin: Kim won by one stroke, the narrowest possible margin without a playoff.
• Prize distribution: The winner earned $560,000 from a record $2.8 million purse, the largest in women's golf at the time.
• Amateur performance:Brittany Lang finished T2, the top amateur, earning low-amateur honors with a 285 (+5).

Comparison at a Glance

The 2005 event can be better understood by comparing key metrics to prior years and future editions of the U.S. Women's Open.

The 2005 Open was notable for its high scoring compared to other years, reflecting difficult course conditions. While Kim’s +4 was the highest winning score since 1993, it underscored the tournament’s challenge. The increasing prize money highlighted growing investment in women’s golf, and Kim’s victory signaled a shift toward younger, international talent dominating the sport.

Why It Matters

The 2005 U.S. Women's Open had lasting significance for the LPGA, golf history, and the careers of those involved. It demonstrated the rising competitiveness and global reach of women’s professional golf.

• Breakthrough performance:birdie Kim’s win made her the first South Korean to win a U.S. Women's Open, paving the way for a wave of Asian players in the LPGA.
• Youth impact: At 19 years old, Kim became a role model, showing that young players could succeed at the highest level.
• Global influence: The victory boosted golf’s popularity in South Korea, where participation among girls increased by 30% in the next five years.
• Media attention: The rain-delayed finish drew 2.8 million viewers on Monday, one of the highest ratings for women’s golf at the time.
• Course legacy: Cherry Hills proved that classic courses could still challenge modern players, influencing future Open site selections.
• Equality progress: The $2.8 million purse was a step toward closing the gap between men’s and women’s tournament purses.

Ultimately, the 2005 U.S. Women's Open was more than a tournament—it was a milestone in the evolution of women’s sports, combining drama, history, and cultural impact.