Three months ago, I wrote a piece for GGPWomen that spoke to how the USGA has made a commitment to elevate the women’s game in America. Tangible evidence of the commitment included raising the purse of the U.S. Women’s Open, upgrading the host sites for the Women’s Open as well as the rest of the USGA’s women’s championships, raising money to endow the Curtis Cup, and continuing to be a significant benefactor of girls’ golf development in the U.S.
After some media day announcements at this year’s site of the U.S. Women’s Open, Pebble Beach Golf Links, it is clear that the USGA is not resting on its laurels in this elevation effort. Elevation is a process, not a destination.
Perhaps the biggest news last week came in an announcement about “USGA ShotCast” coming to the Women’s Open, to be played July 6-9. Essentially this means that the ShotLink data service that is so ubiquitous on the PGA Tour finally is coming to women’s golf. This will be the first time that next-generation digital experiences, featuring every shot from every player, will be available during a women’s event. The elevated experience will be integrated into the broadcast of the championship and also will be available on the USGA.org website and the association’s app.
“The record number of entries is truly exciting and represents the worldwide interest in competing in the U.S. Women’s Open.”
John Bodenhamer
Then there is the television component of USWO coverage from Pebble Beach. For the first time, the Women’s Open will be shown in prime time on network TV. Including coverage by NBC, USA Network and NBC’s Peacock streaming service – a total of 26 hours of live coverage will be devoted to the championship. Golf Channel’s “Live From” programming will contribute another 26 hours of coverage, including eight hours daily on Tuesday and Wednesday before the tournament begins Thursday.
The USGA also intends to air a docuseries, “Path to Pebble Beach.” It will feature three chapters of content focusing on players including Minjee Lee, Michelle Wie West and Mina Harigae as they prepare to tackle the California seaside course. It will air on Golf Channel the week before, the week of and the week after the USWO.
The international telecast plans are equally impressive. The U.S. Women’s Open will be broadcast in more than 190 countries and territories, reaching an estimated 330 million households. The USGA has lined up 34 international broadcast partners.
On Thursday, the USGA announced that the USWO received a record 2,107 entries, surpassing 2,000 for the first time. The previous high was 1,873, for last year’s event at Pine Needles in Southern Pines, North Carolina.
“The record number of entries is truly exciting and represents the worldwide interest in competing in the U.S. Women’s Open,” said John Bodenhamer, the USGA’s chief championships officer. “Pebble Beach Golf Links is one of America’s iconic and treasured courses and will present a compelling championship venue that will bring out the best in the world’s greatest female players.”
To cap off the week, three-time USWO champion Annika Sörenstam took to Twitter to proclaim “I’m in” after accepting a USGA special exemption. Sörenstam, 52, who retired from regular competition in 2008, ranks third in all-time LPGA victories, with 72. She won the U.S. Women’s Open in 1995, 1996 and 2006. She missed the cut in last year’s championship at Pine Needles, the site of her second USWO title and her first major-championship start in 14 years.
All in all, the 2023 U.S. Women’s Open is shaping up to be an epic global celebration of women’s golf.
E-MAIL JIM
Top: The U.S. Women's Open will be played at Pebble Beach Golf Links for the first time in 2023.
JED JACOBSOHN, USGA