What Is 2017 Women's PGA Championship

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2017 Women's PGA Championship was held from June 29 to July 2 at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey. Park Sung-hyun of South Korea won her first major title, finishing at 17-under-par with a score of 271.

Key Facts

Park Sung-hyun won the 2017 Women's PGA Championship with a 17-under-par score of 271
The tournament took place from June 29 to July 2, 2017
It was hosted at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey
This was Park's first major championship victory on the LPGA Tour
The event was the fifth of five majors in the 2017 LPGA season

Overview

The 2017 Women's PGA Championship was a pivotal event in the LPGA season, marking the fifth and final major of the year. Held at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey, the tournament attracted top female golfers from around the world competing for a $3.6 million purse.

South Korean golfer Park Sung-hyun emerged as the champion, securing her first major title with a dominant performance. Her victory solidified her status as a rising star in women's golf and highlighted the global competitiveness of the LPGA Tour.

June 29–July 2, 2017: The tournament spanned four days, with Park leading after the third round and maintaining her composure on the final day to win by three strokes.
Trump National Golf Club: This exclusive course, owned by former President Donald Trump, hosted the event for the first time, featuring a par-72, 6,792-yard layout.
Park Sung-hyun: The 23-year-old golfer entered the final round with a two-shot lead and shot a 67 on Sunday to finish at 17-under-par, the lowest score of the week.
Prize money: The winner earned $540,000 from the $3.6 million total purse, reflecting the growing financial stakes in women's professional golf.
Runner-up: Lexi Thompson finished second at 14-under-par, maintaining her position as one of the top American contenders on the LPGA Tour.

How It Works

The Women's PGA Championship is one of the five major championships on the LPGA Tour, featuring a 72-hole stroke play format with a cut after 36 holes. The field consists of top-ranked players, past champions, and qualifiers based on performance and rankings.

Format: The tournament follows a standard four-round stroke play format. The top 70 players and ties after 36 holes advance to the weekend rounds.
Eligibility: Entry is based on a combination of LPGA Tour status, world rankings, and past major performances. The field typically includes 144 players.
Scoring: The player with the lowest total score after 72 holes wins. In case of a tie, a three-hole aggregate playoff is used to determine the champion.
Course setup: Trump National was set up to challenge accuracy, with narrow fairways and thick rough, emphasizing precision over raw power.
Weather impact: Rain delays affected the second round, pushing play into Saturday and compressing the weekend schedule.
Amateur participation: A small number of top amateurs qualify, though none made the cut in 2017, underscoring the gap between amateur and professional levels.

Comparison at a Glance

The 2017 Women's PGA Championship can be better understood by comparing it to other major tournaments in the same season:

Tournament	Winner	Winning Score	Location	Winner's Share
ANA Inspiration	Suzann Pettersen	-13	Rancho Mirage, CA	$330,000
U.S. Women's Open	Ariya Jutanugarn	-8	Shawnee, OK	$500,000
Women's PGA Championship	Park Sung-hyun	-17	Bedminster, NJ	$540,000
Women's British Open	Ariya Jutanugarn	-15	Erin, Northern Ireland	$486,000
The Evian Championship	Ariya Jutanugarn	-16	Evian-les-Bains, France	$513,000

This comparison shows that the 2017 Women's PGA Championship had the highest winner's purse among the majors that year. Park's winning score of -17 was also the lowest in relation to par across all five events, reflecting favorable scoring conditions and her exceptional performance.

Why It Matters

The 2017 Women's PGA Championship had significant implications for the LPGA Tour, player rankings, and the visibility of women's golf globally. Park's victory not only elevated her world ranking but also inspired a new generation of golfers in South Korea and beyond.

Global representation: The top 10 finishers included players from six different countries, highlighting the international depth of talent in women's golf.
Rookie impact: Park became the first rookie to win a major since 2012, signaling a shift in the competitive landscape of the LPGA.
Media attention: The event drew increased viewership due to its location at a high-profile course and the political notoriety of the venue.
Prize growth: The $3.6 million purse was the largest in the tournament's history at the time, reflecting rising investment in women's sports.
Course challenges: Trump National's layout tested players' mental and physical endurance, especially under rainy conditions that affected ball control.
Legacy: Park's win contributed to her Rookie of the Year and Player of the Year honors, cementing the 2017 season as a breakthrough year.

The 2017 Women's PGA Championship remains a landmark event in LPGA history, showcasing excellence, resilience, and the growing prominence of women's golf on the world stage.