What Is 32nd U.S. Women's Open

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 32nd U.S. Women's Open took place in 2007 at the Newport Country Club in Rhode Island, where Cristie Kerr won her first U.S. Women's Open title with a score of 284 (+4), defeating Lorena Ochoa by five strokes.

Key Facts

The 32nd U.S. Women's Open was held in 2007 at Newport Country Club, Rhode Island
Cristie Kerr won her first U.S. Women's Open title with a final score of 284 (+4)
Lorena Ochoa finished second, five strokes behind Kerr
The tournament featured a 156-player field competing over 72 holes of stroke play
Newport Country Club became the first U.S. Open or U.S. Women's Open venue in Rhode Island

Overview

The 32nd U.S. Women's Open, held in 2007, marked a significant milestone in women's professional golf, showcasing elite competition at the historic Newport Country Club in Newport, Rhode Island. This championship was the first U.S. Women's Open hosted in the state, emphasizing the USGA's commitment to expanding the event's geographic footprint.

Organized by the United States Golf Association (USGA), the tournament attracted a global field of 156 players, including top professionals and amateurs who qualified through rigorous sectional events. The event spanned four days of stroke play, culminating in a dominant performance by American golfer Cristie Kerr.

Host venue: Newport Country Club, established in 1893, became the first U.S. Women's Open site in Rhode Island, highlighting its historic significance in American golf.
Winner: Cristie Kerr claimed her first U.S. Women's Open title with a total score of 284 (+4), securing victory by five strokes over runner-up Lorena Ochoa.
Dates: The tournament was played from July 9 to July 15, 2007, with the final round concluding on the 15th due to a weather delay.
Field size: A total of 156 players competed, including 60 qualifiers from sectional tournaments held across the U.S. and internationally.
Prize money: The total purse was $3 million, with Kerr earning $560,000 for her first-place finish.

How It Works

The U.S. Women's Open follows a standardized format governed by the USGA, combining open qualification with a rigorous 72-hole stroke play structure. Players must navigate challenging course conditions and intense competition to win the title.

Qualification:156 players qualify through sectional events or exemptions based on world ranking, with 60 spots reserved for qualifiers.
Format: The tournament consists of 72 holes of stroke play over four days, with a 36-hole cut reducing the field after two rounds.
Course setup: Newport Country Club was set up at 6,875 yards with a par of 71, featuring narrow fairways and thick rough to test precision.
Weather impact: Heavy rain on Saturday forced a suspension, pushing the final round to Monday, July 16, a rare scheduling adjustment.
Scoring: Cristie Kerr shot rounds of 71, 72, 70, and 71, maintaining consistency under pressure to finish at +4 for the tournament.
Amateur participation:15 amateurs competed, with Canadian sensation Reilley Rankin finishing as the top amateur in 10th place.

Comparison at a Glance

The 2007 U.S. Women's Open can be compared to other major championships in terms of format, competitiveness, and historical context.

Tournament	Year	Winner	Winning Score	Margin of Victory
U.S. Women's Open	2007	Cristie Kerr	+4 (284)	5 strokes
LPGA Championship	2007	Matthews won by 3	-9	3 strokes
Women's British Open	2007	Amy Yang	-10	1 stroke
ANA Inspiration	2007	Annika Sörenstam	-12	2 strokes
Women's PGA Championship	2007	Seon Hwa Lee	-8	1 stroke

This table illustrates how the 2007 U.S. Women's Open had a tighter winning score compared to other majors that year, reflecting the difficulty of Newport Country Club's setup. The five-stroke margin was the largest among the year's majors, underscoring Kerr's dominance. Unlike lower-scoring events in more forgiving conditions, the U.S. Open's reputation for toughness was upheld. The weather-delayed finish also added unpredictability not seen in other tournaments. Ultimately, the event highlighted the USGA's emphasis on course difficulty and fair competition.

Why It Matters

The 32nd U.S. Women's Open had lasting significance for players, fans, and the evolution of women's golf. It reinforced the U.S. Open's status as the most demanding major on the LPGA Tour.

Historic venue: Newport Country Club became the first U.S. Women's Open host in Rhode Island, expanding the tournament's national reach.
Cristie Kerr's breakthrough: The win marked Kerr's first major title, launching her into the upper echelon of women's golf.
Global competition: Players from 22 countries participated, reflecting the internationalization of the LPGA Tour.
USGA standards: The course setup emphasized accuracy over distance, reinforcing the USGA's philosophy of balanced challenge.
Media coverage: The event received record TV ratings for a Women's Open, boosting visibility for female athletes.
Legacy impact: The success of the 2007 event paved the way for future U.S. Women's Opens at historic venues like Chambers Bay and Pine Needles.

By combining tradition, difficulty, and star power, the 32nd U.S. Women's Open solidified its place in golf history. It demonstrated that women's majors could deliver drama, depth, and prestige on par with men's championships.