The world’s best female players have converged in Charleston, S.C., this week for the 74th U.S. Women’s Open, which will be played at the historic Country Club of Charleston. The Seth Raynor design has been open for play since 1925, and features a signature Redan green on the par-3 11th hole.
While fan-favorite and 2014 U.S. Women’s Open champ Michelle Wie withdrew with a lingering injury last week, the 156-player field is leaded with stars and storylines. Ariya Jutanugarn, currently ranked fourth in the world, is seeking to become the first player to defend her U.S. Women’s Open title since Karrie Webb in 2001. Augusta National Women’s Amateur winner Jennifer Kupcho is making her professional debut, while Alexa Pano, at 14 years old, is the youngest competitor in the field.
The championship also made headlines on Tuesday for the announcement of a historic high: the purse has been increased by $500,000 to $5.5 million, with a whopping $1 million going to the winner.
Jutanugarn is grouped with Sung Hyun Park and Lexi Thompson, who is America’s top-ranked female player. The trio tees off at 8:06 a.m. ET from tee No. 10 on Thursday and 1:51 p.m. ET from tee No. 1 on Friday.
Amateur stars Sierra Brooks and newly-minted NCAA champion Maria Fassi will play alongside Kupcho in her pro debut at 8:28 a.m. ET off of tee No. 1 on Thusday and 2:13 p.m. ET off of tee No. 1o on Friday.
Another player to keep an eye on? Australia’s Minjee Lee. The 23-year-old has five top 10s on the LPGA Tour this season, including a victory at the Hugel-Air Premia L.A. Open. Lee will play with Jinyoung Ko and Inbee Park at 7:44 a.m. off of tee No. 10 on Thursday, and 1:29 p.m. off of tee No. 1 on Friday.
Another notable group: Nelly Korda, Brooke Henderson and Danielle Kang. The trio tees off at 8:17 a.m. ET off of tee No. 10 on Thursday, and 2:02 p.m. off of tee No. 1 on Friday.
Korda, currently ranked 11th in the world, has six top 10s this season, including a win at the ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open. Henderson is coming off a T2 finish at last week’s Pure Silk Championship, while Kang has five top 10s this season.
For a complete list of tee times at the 2019 U.S. Women’s Open, click here.
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What: U.S. Women’s Open
Where: Country Club of Charleston, Charleston, S.C.
When: Thursday-Sunday, May 30-June 2
Defending champion: Ariya Jutanugarn (11 under, prevailed in playoff)
Purse: $5.5 million ($1 million winner)
TV Schedule (ET)
Thursday: 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. (First round bonus coverage, USGA.org)
2:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. (FS1)
2:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. (Featured group, USGA.org)
Friday: 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. (Second round bonus coverage, USGA.org)
2:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. (FS1)
2:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. (Featured group, USGA.org)
Saturday: 2:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. (Fox)
2:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. (Featured group, USGA.org)
Sunday: 2:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. (Fox)
2:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. (Featured group, USGA.org)
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