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73rd U.S. Women’s Open Championship – Notebook

May 29- June 3, 2018, Shoal Creek, Shoal Creek, Ala. mediacenter.usga.org | uswomensopen.com | #USWomensOpen

This is the 73rd U.S. Women’s Open Championship and the first in the state of Alabama.

The first U.S. Women’s Open, played at Spokane (Wash.) Country Club in 1946 and won by , was the only one conducted at . The Women’s Professional Golfers Association (WPGA) conducted the Women’s Open until 1949, when the newly formed Ladies Professional Association (LPGA) took over operation of the championship. The LPGA ran the Women’s Open for four years, but in 1953 asked the Golf Association (USGA) to conduct the championship, which it has done ever since.

The youngest winner of the U.S. Women’s Open is , who won the 2008 championship at age 19 years, 11 months and 17 days. , who won the 1954 Women’s Open at age 43 years and 7 days, is the oldest winner.

In 1967, , of , the daughter of hall-of-fame tennis player Rene Lacoste and 1927 British Ladies Amateur champion Simone Thion de la Chaume, became the only amateur to win the U.S. Women’s Open. Seven other amateurs, most recently Hye-Jin Choi in 2017, have had runner-up or co-runner-up finishes.

WHO’S HERE Among the 156 golfers in the 2018 U.S. Women’s Open, there are:

U.S. Women’s Open champions (10) In Gee Chun (2015), (2010), Eun-Hee Ji (2009), (2007), (2016), Inbee Park (2008, 2013), Sung Hyun Park (2017), So Yeon Ryu (2011), (2000, 2001), Michelle Wie (2014)

U.S. Women’s Open runners-up (12) Hye-Jin Choi (2017), Cristie Kerr (2000), (2009), In-Kyung Kim (2013), Brittany Lang (2005), (2014), (2016), (2010), (2005), Hee Kyung Seo (2011), (2003), (2012, 2015)

U.S. Women’s Amateur champions (9) Kristen Gillman (2014), (2010, 2011), (2012), Jane Park (2004), Morgan Pressel (2005), Sophia Schubert (2017), (2009), (2013), Mariajo Uribe (2007)

U.S. Women’s Amateur runners-up (6) (2014), (2011), (2010), Azahara Munoz (2008), Jane Park (2003), Albane Valenzuela (2017)

U.S. Girls’ Junior champions (8) (2011), In-Kyung Kim (2005), (2012), Inbee Park (2002), Eun Jeong Seong (2015, 2016), Erica Shepherd (2017), (2006), (2008)

U.S. Girls’ Junior runners-up (5) Katelyn Dambaugh (2010), Candie Kung (1997), Andrea Lee (2016), Inbee Park (2003, 2005), Jane Park (2004), (2015)

U.S. Women’s Amateur Four- Ball champions (1)

Hailee Cooper (2013)

U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links champions (4) Candie Kung (2001), Jennifer Song (2009), Michelle Wie (2003)

U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links runners-up (2) Jennifer Song (2008), Michelle Wie (2004)

USA Team members (20) (2010), Paula Creamer (2004), Lindy Duncan (2012), (2012), Kristen Gillman (2018), Cristie Kerr (1996), Jessica Korda (2010), Brittany Lang (2004), (2018), Andrea Lee (2018), Stacy Lewis (2008), Ally McDonald (2014), Jane Park (2004, 2006), Sophia Schubert (2018), Jennifer Song (2010), Angela Stanford (2010), Jenny Suh (2006), Emma Talley (2014), Lexi Thompson (2010), Michelle Wie (2004)

GB&I Curtis Cup Team members (7) (2014), (2012), (1990, 1992, 1994), (1998, 2000), Olivia Mehaffey (2018), (2006), (2008)

NCAA Division I champions (4) Austin Ernst (2011, Louisiana State University), Stacy Lewis (2007, University of Arkansas), Azahara Munoz (2008, Arizona State University), Emma Talley (2015, University of Alabama)

Olympic Medalists (3) (2016, bronze, People’s Republic of China), Lydia Ko (2016, silver, New Zealand), Inbee Park (2016, gold, Republic of Korea)

Players with Most U.S. Women’s Open Appearances (2018 included) Cristie Kerr (23), Karrie Webb (23), Catriona Matthew (22), Angela Stanford (19), Candie Kung (17), Paula Creamer (16), Suzann Pettersen (16), (15), Michelle Wie (15), (14), Brittany Lang (14), Jane Park (14), Shanshan Feng (12), Stacy Lewis (12), Becky Morgan (12), Inbee Park (12), Lexi Thompson (12), Amy Yang (12), (11), Jessica Korda (11), Jennifer Song (11)

Active Consecutive U.S. Women’s Open Appearances (2018 included) Karrie Webb (23, 1996-2018), Cristie Kerr (21, 1998-2018), Angela Stanford (19, 2000-18), Paula Creamer (16, 2003-18), Candie Kung (16, 2003-18), Suzann Pettersen (16, 2003-18), Brittany Lincicome (15, 2004-18), Brittany Lang (14, 2005- 18), Shanshan Feng (12, 2007-18), Stacy Lewis (12, 2007-18), Lexi Thompson (12, 2007-18), Amy Yang (12, 2007-18), Jessica Korda (11, 2008-18)

First-Time U.S. Women’s Open Competitors (17) Evelyn Arguelles (a), Celia Barquin Arozamena (a), Kaylee Benton (a), Olivia Cason (a), Hailee Cooper (a), Kelsey Chugg (a), Allisen Corpuz (a), Celeste Dao (a), Maria Fassi (a), (a), Sophie Hausmann (a), Olivia Mehaffey (a), Gina Kim (a), Emilia Migliaccio (a), Sophia Schubert (a), Yujeong Son (a), Gaeun Song (a), Elizabeth Wang (a), Lei Ye (a).

Countries Represented (27) Australia, Austria, Canada, Chinese Taipei, Czech Republic, Denmark, England, Ecuador, France, Germany, Hong Kong China, Iceland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, Paraguay, People’s Republic of China, Republic of Korea, Scotland, South Africa, , Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, United States of America, Wales

States Represented (20) Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, , Virginia, Wisconsin

CHAMPIONSHIP FIELD The 156-player field includes 91 fully exempt golfers and 10 U.S. Women’s Open champions. Sectional qualifying, conducted over 36 holes, was held at 25 sites between May 2 and May 17 at four international sites (England, Japan, People’s Republic of China and the Republic of Korea) and 21 U.S. sites.

Amateur Players in the Field (28)

Evelyn Arguelles, Celia Barquin Arozamena, Kaylee Benton, Olivia Cason, Robyn Choi, Hailee Cooper, Kelsey Chugg, Allisen Corpuz, Celeste Dao, Maria Fassi, Kristen Gillman, Linn Grant, Sophie Hausmann, Dylan Kim, Gina Kim, Lucy Li, Andrea Lee, Olivia Mehaffey, Emilia Migliaccio, Sophia Schubert, Erica Shepherd, Yujeong Son, Gaeun Song, , Albane Valenzuela, Elizabeth Wang, Dana Williams, Lei Ye

Top-Ranked Amateur Players in the Field Eleven amateurs are in the top-50 of the Women’s World Amateur Golf Ranking™ as of May 24: No. 4 - Albane Valenzuela No. 5 – Andrea Lee No. 8 - Paphangkorn Tavatanakit No. 10 – Kristen Gillman No. 12 - Lucy Li No. 14 – Maria Fassi No. 19 - Sophia Schubert No. 29 - Emilia Migliaccio No. 38 - Yujeong Son No. 44 – Dylan Kim No. 50 – Gina Kim

Notable Amateur Storylines

Andrea Lee, 19, is currently ranked No 5 on the Women’s World Amateur Golf Ranking™. She was a member of the 2016 Curtis Cup Team that lost to GB&I, 11.5-8.5. A sophomore at , she garnered several honors following her freshman year, including Pac-12 freshman of the year, Pac-12 first team and Ping/Women’s Golf Coaches Association freshman of the year. Picking up where she left off, her sophomore season began with three individual victories in her first five starts. Lee was the runner-up in the 2016 U.S. Girls’ Junior, and a semifinalist in the 2014 U.S. Women’s Amateur. She has also won two SCGA Women’s Amateur titles and will be one of two returning members of the USA Curtis Cup Team in the 40th Curtis Cup Match next week.

Lucy Li, 15, the youngest player in the field, is competing in her second U.S. Women’s Open. In 2014, she was the youngest qualifier in championship history and missed the cut by seven strokes at Pinehurst No. 2. Earlier in 2014, Li won the Drive, Chip, & Putt Championship for her age division. In 2016, Li won the Junior PGA Championship and played on the victorious USA . Li’s most recent wins include the 2017 PING Invitational and the 2017 Rolex Tournament of Champions. She is a member of the 2018 Curtis Cup USA Team and will participate in the Match in June at Quaker Ridge in Scarsdale, N.Y.

Albane Valenzuela, 20, is currently fourth in the Women’s World Amateur Golf Ranking™, the highest in the field. Valenzuela was the runner-up in the 2017 U.S. Women’s Amateur to fellow 2018 U.S. Women’s Open competitor Sophia Schubert. In 2015, Valenzuela earned victories in the Spanish International , the Doral Publix Junior Classic, and the Junior Orange Bowl Championship.

Sophia Schubert, 22, a senior who plays golf at the University of Texas, won the 2017 U.S. Women’s Amateur, defeating Albane Valenzuela, who was ranked No. 3 in the Women’s World Amateur Golf Ranking, in the final match. Schubert is exempt into the 2018 U.S. Women’s Open by virtue of that win, and this will be her first appearance in the championship. She was named an All-Big 12 Conference golfer in 2016 and 2017. Schubert helped the Longhorns claim the 2018 Big 12 Conference championship after tying for eighth as an individual. She captured three Tennessee state high school championships (2010, 2012, 2013) for Christian Academy of Knoxville. She is a member of the 2018 USA Curtis Cup Team and will participate in the Match this June at Quaker Ridge Golf Club in Scarsdale, N.Y.

Kelsey Chugg, 27, won the 2017 U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship, posting a 3-and-1 victory over Mary Jane Hiestand in the final round at Champions Golf Club in , Texas. At the time of winning the Women’s Mid-Amateur, she was No. 2,330 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking and was competing in her fifth USGA championship and first Women’s Mid-Amateur. Chugg has won four Utah Women’s State Amateurs and is a four-time Utah Golf Association Player of the Year. She currently works as the membership director for the Utah State Golf Association.

Amateur Players in Recent U.S. Women’s Opens

YEAR NUMBER MADE CUT TOP FINISHER 2017 21 5 Hye-Jin Choi (2)

2016 26 3 Hye-Jin Choi (T38) 2015 23 5 (T35) 2014 36 6 Brooke Henderson (T10) 2013 19 6 Casie Cathrea (T25) 2012 28 3 Lydia Ko (T39) 2011 25 5 Moriya Jutanugarn (T32) 2010 29 6 Jennifer Johnson (T41) 2009 28 7 Jennifer Song (T13) 2008 26 7 Mariajo Uribe (T10) 2007 23 4 Jennie Lee and Jennifer Song (T39) 2006 29 4 and Jane Park (T10) 2005 18 6 Brittany Lang and Morgan Pressel (T2) 2004 16 4 Paula Creamer and Michelle Wie (T13) 2003 21 8 Aree Song (5) 2002 14 2 Angela Jerman and Aree Song (T51) 2001 19 4 Candy Hannemann (T30) 2000 16 2 Naree Song (T40) 1999 11 2 (T8) 1998 15 5 Jenny Chuasiriporn (2, lost in ) 1997 9 2 Jenny Chuasiriporn (T56) 1996 15 2 Cristie Kerr (T36) 1995 14 4 Sarah LeBrun Ingram (T51) 1994 21 3 Carol Semple Thompson (T31) 1993 12 2 Debbi Miho Koyama (T26) 1992 17 2 (T48) 1991 16 5 Tracy Hanson (T21)

Youngest Competitor At 15 years, 7 months and 30 days of age as of May 31 (the first day of the championship), Lucy Li, of Redwood Shores, Calif., is the championship’s youngest competitor.

Oldest Competitor At age 48, Catriona Matthew, of Scotland, is the championship’s oldest competitor.

Field by Age Age 15-19 – 19 players Age 20-29 – 96 players Age 30-39 – 32 players Age 40-49 – 5 players

The average age of the championship field is 25.78.

Oldest U.S. Women’s Open Champions (years/months/days) 43/0/7 Babe Didrikson Zaharias, 1954 42/0/13 , 2002 41/2/20 , 2004

Youngest U.S. Women’s Open Champions (years/months/days) 19/11/17 Inbee Park, 2008 20/9/8 Se Ri Pak, 1998 20/11/2 In Gee Chun, 2015

Championship Birthdays Two players in the U.S. Women’s Open field will celebrate a birthday during championship week: Casey Danielson, of Osceola, Wisc., (turning 23 on May 31) and of Scottsdale, Ariz., (turning 28 on June 1).

Sisters in the Field For the fourth consecutive year, and fifth time overall, sisters Ariya and Moriya Jutanugarn, of Thailand, are both in the field. Also in the field together for the third time are sisters Jessica and . Nelly and Jessica were both exempt from qualifying by finishing inside the top 75 of the official

LPGA Tour money list. The Jutanugarns and Kordas are two of seven sets of sisters to have competed in the same U.S. Women’s Open.

Danielle and Dina Ammaccapane (8) – 1991-93, 1996, 1998-99, 2001-02 Alice Bauer and Marlene Bauer Hagge (12) – 1947, 1949-55, 1957-58, 1964, 1966 Ariya and Moriya Jutanugarn (5) – 2011, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 Jessica and Nelly Korda (3) – 2013, 2016, 2017, 2018 Aree and Naree Song (2) – 2003, 2005 Annika and Charlotta Sorenstam (8) – 1997, 1999-2005 and Martha Stacy Leach (1) – 1980

Alabama Connections This year’s U.S. Women’s Open features two players with ties to the University of Alabama: 2013 U.S. Women’s Amateur champion Emma Talley and Alabama sophomore and 2018 USA Curtis Cup Tea, member Kristen Gillman, who won the 2014 U.S. Women’s Amateur, a year after Talley. Former Auburn University golfer, and 2010 USA Curtis Cup Team member, Cydney Clanton is also in the field.

The U.S. Women’s Open Course Shoal Creek, located in Shoal Creek, Ala., right outside of Birmingham, was designed by Jack Nicklaus and opened for play in 1977. It is routed through more than 1,550 densely wooded acres with numerous water hazards and demanding green complexes. Approach shots call for careful strategy.

The 2018 U.S. Women’s Open will be the third USGA championship conducted at Shoal Creek. In 1986, Stewart “Buddy” Alexander won the U.S. Amateur Championship, defeating Chris Kite, 5 and 3 in the final. In 2008, Cameron Peck captured the U.S. Junior Amateur title, and his 10-and-8 victory over Evan Beck stands as the largest winning margin in Junior Amateur championship-match history.

Course Setup Shoal Creek will be set up at 6,689 yards and will play to a of 36-36–72. Based on the setup, the Course Rating™ is

79.9 and the Slope Rating® is 145.

Hole by Hole Hole 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Total Par 4 4 5 4 3 5 4 3 4 36 Yards 374 389 505 421 166 475 422 151 383 3,286

Hole 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Total Par 4 5 4 3 4 4 3 5 4 36 Yards 399 522 429 171 370 376 199 533 404 3,403

Note: Yardages subject to change.

Longest Course in Championship History 7,047 yards The Broadmoor (East Course), Colorado Springs, Colo., 2011

Shortest Course in Championship History 6,010 yards Brooklawn C.C., Fairfield, Conn., 1979

Longest Par-3 Holes in Championship History 252 yards 8th, Oakmont (Pa.) C.C., 2010 227 yards 8th, Interlachen C.C., Edina, Minn., 2008 211 yards 13th, Newport (R.I.) C.C., 2006 211 yards 5th, Pine Needles L. & G.C., Southern Pines, N.C., 2007

Longest Par-4 Holes in Championship History 459 yards 18th, Cherry Hills C.C., Cherry Hills Village, Colo., 2005 458 yards 16th, Pinehurst R. & C.C. (No. 2), Village of Pinehurst, N.C., 2014 455 yards 3rd, Blackwolf Run, Kohler, Wis., 2012

Longest Par-5 Holes in Championship History 603 yards 17th, The Broadmoor (East Course), Colorado Springs, Colo., 2011 602 yards 12th, Oakmont (Pa.) C.C., 2010 602 yards 16th, Blackwolf Run, Kohler, Wis., 2012 590 yards 5th, Blackwolf Run, Kohler, Wis., 2012

What the Winner Receives In addition to prize money, the champion will receive a gold medal, custody of the Harton S. Semple Trophy for the ensuing year and an exemption from qualifying for the next 10 U.S. Women’s Open Championships.

The 2018 purse is $5 million. The 2017 purse was $5 million, and the winner earned $900,000.

Television Coverage The 2018 U.S. Women’s Open will receive at least 20 hours of live network coverage. Fox will air 10 hours of coverage on the weekend. Fox Sports 1 (FS1) will air 10 hours over the first two days of play. All times EDT. Commented [JF1]: Birmingham is Central Time right? Do we think we should adjust to Central Time? Date/Day Time Network Program May 29/Monday 7-8 p.m. FS1 Drive to the U.S. Women's Open May 30/Wednesday 10:30 a.m.-noon FS1 Wednesday at U.S. Women's Open May 31/Thursday 3-8 p.m. FS1 First Round June 1/Friday 3-8 p.m. FS1 Second Round June 2/Saturday 2-7 p.m. Fox Third Round June 3/Sunday 2-7 p.m. Fox Fourth Round

Live Streaming Coverage The 2018 U.S. Women’s Open will receive at least 24 hours of live streaming coverage on usga.org.

Date/Day Time Channel Coverage May 31/Thursday 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. usga.org First Round: full coverage 3-8 p.m. usga.org First Round: featured group June 1/Friday 11 a.m.-1 p.m. usga.org Second Round: full coverage 3-8 p.m. usga.org Second Round: featured group June 2/Saturday 2-7 p.m. usga.org Third Round: featured group June 3/Sunday 2-7 p.m. usga.org Fourth Round: featured group

The Last Time it Happened at a U.S. Women’s Open Championship Sung Hyun Park: last international winner (2017) Karrie Webb: last to defend title (2001) In Gee Chun: last champion to win Women’s Open on first attempt (2015) So Yeon Ryu: last winner to win Women’s Open on second attempt (2011) Catherine Lacoste: last amateur to win Women’s Open (1967) Annika Sorenstam: last start-to-finish winner (2006) Inbee Park: last winner to win money title in same year (2013) So Yeon Ryu: last winner to birdie the 72nd hole (2011) So Yeon Ryu: last winner to birdie the 72nd hole to force playoff (2011) Eun-Hee Ji: last winner to birdie the 72nd hole to win by one stroke (2009) Inbee Park: last to win with four sub-par rounds (2008) Eun-Hee Ji: last to win without a round in the 60s (2009) : last player to win after competing in local qualifying (2003) : last player to win after competing in sectional qualifying (2005) Inbee Park, 19: last winner younger than 20 (2008) Sung Hyun Park, 20: last winner between ages 20-29 (2017) Brittany Lang, 30: last winner between ages 30-39 (2016) Meg Mallon, 41: last winner over age 40 (2004)

In Gee Chun: last defending champion to miss the cut (2016)

Title Defense Should Sung Hyun Park win, she would become the eighth player to successfully defend her championship title. She would join (1958-59), (1969-70), Susie Maxwell Berning (1972-73), Hollis Stacy (1977-78), (1989-90), Annika Sorenstam (1995-96) and Karrie Webb (2000-01).

Since 1991, only four players have finished in the top 10 the year following their victory.

Year Champion Result in Defense 2016 Brittany Lang T58 2015 In Gee Chun Missed cut 2014 Michelle Wie 11 2013 Inbee Park T43 2012 Na Yeon Choi T17 2011 So Yeon Ryu T14 2010 Paula Creamer T15 2009 Eun-Hee Ji T39 2008 Inbee Park T26 2007 Cristie Kerr T13 2006 Annika Sorenstam T32 2005 Birdie Kim Missed cut 2004 Meg Mallon T13 2003 Hilary Lunke 64 2002 Juli Inkster 8 2001 Karrie Webb Missed cut 2000 Karrie Webb Champion 1999 Juli Inkster T23 1998 Se Ri Pak T15 1997 Missed cut 1996 Annika Sorenstam Missed cut 1995 Annika Sorenstam Champion 1994 T10 1993 T12 1992 Patty Sheehan 6 1991 Meg Mallon 4

USGA Championships in Alabama The 2018 U.S. Women’s Open is the seventh USGA championship in Alabama. Most recently, the Country Club of Birmingham hosted the 2016 USGA Men’s State Team Championship, won by Michigan.

Full Listing of USGA Championships in Alabama 1974 U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur: Lakewood G.C., Point Clear (Justine B. Cushing) 1986: U.S. Amateur: Shoal Creek (Stewart “Buddy” Alexander) 1986 U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur: Lakewood Golf Club, Point Clear (Constance Guthrie) 2008: U.S. Junior Amateur: Shoal Creek (Cameron Peck) 2013 U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship: Country Club of Birmingham (Michael McCoy) 2016 USGA Men’s State Team Championship: Country Club of Birmingham (Michigan)

Future U.S. Women’s Open Host Sites May 30 - June 2, 2019 – Country Club of Charleston (S.C.) June 4-7, 2020 – Champions Golf Club, Houston, Texas June 3-6, 2021 – The Olympic Club, San Francisco, Calif. June 2-5, 2022 – Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club, Southern Pines, N.C. June 1-4, 2023 – Pebble Beach (Calif.) Golf Links