What Is 2015 US Women's Open

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2015 U.S. Women's Open was the 70th edition of the tournament, held from July 9–12 at Lancaster Country Club in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. South Korea's Inbee Park won her third U.S. Women's Open title, finishing at 8-under-par 276, two strokes ahead of runner-up Ko Jin-young.

Key Facts

The 2015 U.S. Women's Open was held from July 9–12, 2015, at Lancaster Country Club in Pennsylvania.
Inbee Park won her third U.S. Women's Open title, finishing at 8-under 276.
The tournament marked the 70th edition of the U.S. Women's Open championship.
Ko Jin-young finished second at 6-under par, two strokes behind Park.
Lancaster Country Club hosted the event for the first time in its history.

Overview

The 2015 U.S. Women's Open was a landmark event in women's professional golf, marking the 70th edition of the championship. Held at the historic Lancaster Country Club in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, the tournament showcased top talent from around the globe competing for one of the most prestigious titles in women's golf.

South Korean golfer Inbee Park emerged victorious, securing her third U.S. Women's Open title and seventh career major championship. The event drew significant attention for its competitive field, challenging course conditions, and dramatic final-round performances.

July 9–12, 2015: The tournament spanned four days, with all rounds completed despite minor weather delays on the second day, affecting player schedules slightly.
Inbee Park: Park shot a final score of 8-under-par 276, becoming the first player since 1993 to win the same major three times.
Lancaster Country Club: A private club established in 1899, it hosted its first U.S. Women's Open, featuring a redesigned course to meet USGA standards.
Field size: 156 players qualified, including 60 professionals and 20 amateurs, selected through sectional qualifying tournaments worldwide.
Purse: The total prize money was $4 million, with $585,000 awarded to the winner, reflecting the growing financial investment in women's golf.

How It Works

The U.S. Women's Open operates under a rigorous format combining stroke play and strict qualification procedures to ensure a competitive and fair field.

72-Hole Stroke Play: The tournament consists of four rounds of 18 holes each. The player with the lowest cumulative score wins, with ties broken by sudden-death playoff.
Qualifying Process: Players earn spots through sectional qualifiers held across the U.S. and internationally, with exemptions for top-ranked players and past champions.
Course Setup: The USGA designs the course to emphasize precision, with narrow fairways, thick rough, and fast greens to test even the best players.
Amateur Participation: Up to 20 amateurs compete if they qualify, with special recognition for the lowest-scoring amateur at the end of the tournament.
Weather Delays: In 2015, rain delayed the second round, forcing some players to complete rounds over two days, impacting rhythm and strategy.
Scoring System: Real-time scoring is tracked via the USGA’s digital platform, allowing fans and analysts to monitor leaderboards and hole-by-hole performance.

Comparison at a Glance

A comparison of the top finishers in the 2015 U.S. Women's Open highlights the narrow margins that define major championships.

Player	Nationality	Final Score	Margin Behind Winner	Prize Money
Inbee Park	South Korea	8-under 276	0	$585,000
Ko Jin-young	South Korea	6-under 278	2 strokes	$350,000
Stacy Lewis	USA	5-under 279	3 strokes	$215,000
Paula Creamer	USA	4-under 280	4 strokes	$150,000
Lexi Thompson	USA	3-under 281	5 strokes	$115,000

The leaderboard illustrates how small differences in performance—sometimes a single putt or approach shot—can determine outcomes in elite golf. Despite strong showings from American players like Stacy Lewis and Paula Creamer, South Korean dominance was evident with two of the top three finishers. The prize distribution also reflects the USGA’s commitment to rewarding excellence while maintaining competitive balance across the field.

Why It Matters

The 2015 U.S. Women's Open had lasting implications for the sport, influencing player legacies, tournament hosting standards, and public interest in women's golf.

Inbee Park’s legacy: Her third title solidified her status as one of the greatest female golfers, joining an elite group with multiple major wins.
Global representation: The top 10 included players from South Korea, USA, Japan, and Sweden, highlighting the internationalization of women's golf.
Course design impact: Lancaster’s success led to increased interest in historic clubs hosting future USGA events, promoting course preservation.
Media coverage: The tournament received record viewership on ESPN and Golf Channel, boosting sponsorship and advertising opportunities.
Amateur inspiration: Young golfers worldwide saw the event as a model of excellence, increasing participation in junior development programs.
Gender equity: The $4 million purse was one of the largest in women's golf history at the time, advancing conversations about pay parity in sports.

The 2015 U.S. Women's Open remains a benchmark for competitive integrity, athletic achievement, and the evolving landscape of professional women's golf.