The U.S. Women’s Open: An Epic Challenge at Erin Hills
The oldest tournament with the largest purse in women’s professional golf, the U.S. Women’s Open, is about to begin. The 80th edition will be played at Erin Hills Club in Erin, Wisconsin, starting on Thursday.
Erin Hills, hosting this championship for the first time, promises to be a demanding test for the world’s best golfers. The course, known for its undulating fairways and greens formed by glaciers centuries ago, will test every aspect of the participants’ game.
It tests every part of your game. It’s very demanding. It’s firm. It’s also fast. Even if you think you’ve hit it well, you can exhale when you see it stop.
Nelly Korda
World number one, Nelly Korda, highlighted the importance of the weather in shots and putts.
Tournament Keys
This second major of the season presents several interesting stories.
Will Nelly Korda Be Able to Regain Her Best Level?
Nelly Korda, currently ranked number 1 in the world, has had an unusual year on the LPGA Tour. Unlike last year, where she had already secured six victories before the second major, this year she has yet to achieve a title in seven appearances.It’s been a very interesting year for me. I’ve definitely had a little bit of good and a little bit of bad. A mix in every event I’ve played. I would say patience is what I’ve learned and going back home to focus and practice hard.
Nelly Korda
Despite this, Korda has maintained a good level, with a top 25 in almost all of his participations and a second place in the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions. Currently, he occupies the second place in total earnings and off the tee, and ninth in tee to green.
At the U.S. Open, Korda will seek to improve his performance, as in his last five participations he has had three missed cuts and an eighth place.
In the first two rounds, Korda will play with Charley Hull and Lexi Thompson, with tee times scheduled for Thursday and Friday.
Lydia Ko in Search of the Grand Slam
Lydia Ko has the opportunity to make history and become the eighth golfer to complete the career Grand Slam if she wins the U.S. Women’s Open in her fourteenth appearance.
Ko, at just 27 years old, has already achieved three major victories, including the Evian Championship, the Chevron Championship, and the Women’s British Open. In the first two rounds, Ko will play with the current U.S. Women’s Open champion, Yuka Saso, and amateur Rianne Malixi.
Ko expressed that the goal is to stay motivated and focused on her game, even if she doesn’t win the U.S. Women’s Open.
Yuka Saso Seeks Her Third Title
Yuka Saso, the defending champion, will seek to become the seventh golfer to win the national championship three times. Saso has made history by winning the Harton S. Semple Trophy representing two different countries. In 2021, she won representing the Philippines, and last year, representing Japan.The Erin Hills Challenge
The Erin Hills course, with a par 72 and 6,829 yards, promises to be a great challenge for the golfers. The course, which hosted the men’s U.S. Open in 2017, features 132 sand bunkers and a 3.5-inch rough.
Allisen Corpuz, champion of the 2023 U.S. Women’s Open, highlighted the importance of long game and precision on the greens. The USGA has alternative tees available depending on weather conditions.It’s very demanding off the tee with all the bunkers. The bunkers are not easy. Sometimes you don’t even have a stance in them because they are very small. Then, the shots to the greens and also the greens. Overall, a good test of your entire game.
Nelly Korda
