Americans look for rare win at US Women’s Open

OAKMONT, Pennsylvania (AP)—American players will look to claim a rare victory at their national championship when play Ping Fairway Woods begins at the U.S. Women’s Open on Thursday.

An American victory at the tournament, once all but a certainty, now is a surprise. Cristie Kerr is the only United States player to win in the last five years. Ping G15 Fairway Wood. Since 1995, there have been nearly as many South Korean champions (4) as U.S. winners (5).

When the 156-strong field tees off at a steamy and history-filled Oakmont Country Club near Pittsburgh, Ping Driver there will competitors from Italy, Switzerland, golf clubs Venezuela, Norway, Thailand and 25 other countries.

There will be Americans capable of winning, Ping G15 Driver but not nearly as many as 30 or 40 years ago—Americans won all but five Women’s Opens from 1946-1994.

Women’s golf has certainly gone more global. Of the 27 LPGA tournaments this year, fewer than half (13) will be played in the U.S., Ping Irons due in part to dwindling sponsorship dollars and the lack of big-name American golfers.

“As (LPGA commissioner) Mike Whan says,‘We’re going global and get over it’,” Juli Inkster said. “So that’s where we’re going.”