"US Women's Open Explained with Numbers"

Kim Ah-rim is cheering while holding the trophy after winning the US Women's Open last year as a non-member.

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] "Another Korean Women's Open."

On the night of the 3rd (Korean time), the US Women's Open (total prize money $5.5 million), known as the 'National Title of the United States,' begins its grand journey at The Olympic Golf Course in San Francisco, California (par 71, 6,546 yards). It is interesting that Korean players have combined for an impressive 11 wins, including back-to-back victories in 2019 and 2020. Even narrowing it down to the last 10 years, there have been 7 wins. We break down the US Women's Open, where the Taegeuk ladies show overwhelming dominance, by the numbers.

▲ 2 (holes) = The number of playoff holes since 2018. If there is a tie, the winner is decided by the combined score of a two-hole playoff. If still tied, it goes to sudden death.

▲ 3 (players) = The number of wins by Korean non-members. The glorious winners were So-yeon Ryu (31, Mediheal) in 2011, In-ji Jeon (27, KB Financial Group) in 2015, and Ah-rim Kim (26, SBI Savings Bank) last year.

▲ 4 (wins) = The most wins in the tournament by Betsy Rawls and Mickey Wright (both USA). Next is Annika S?renstam (Sweden) with 3 wins.

▲ 19 (years) = The youngest winner, In-bi Park. She lifted the trophy at the age of 19 years, 11 months, and 17 days in 2008. The oldest winner was Babe Zaharias (USA) in 1954, at 43 years and 7 days old.

▲ 24 (years) = The most consecutive appearances by Cristie Kerr (USA). Following are Angela Stanford (22 years), Brittany Lang (17 years), Stacy Lewis and Lexi Thompson (both USA), and Hee-young Yang (15 years).

▲ 20 (players) = The number of Korean players among the total 156 participants this year. There are 8 past champions. Da-yeon Lee (24, Mediheal) is the only player participating under the KLPGA. The record high was 29 players in 2017.

▲ 51 (wins) = The most wins held by the USA. Korea (11 wins), Sweden (4 wins), Australia (3 wins), and England (2 wins) follow.

▲ 76 (times) = This is the 76th edition this year. Established in 1946, it boasts the longest history among the US Women's Professional Golf (LPGA) Tour events. It is one of the five major championships.

▲ 1,000,000 (dollars) = The winner's prize money, more than three times that of regular tournaments. Player of the Year points are also doubled this year.

▲ 272 (strokes) = The lowest 72-hole score in the tournament. Achieved by Annika S?renstam (1996), Juli Inkster (1999, USA), and In-ji Jeon (2015).

▲ 1998 (year) = The first win of Se-ri Pak (44, retired). She delivered a victory message during the national crisis amid the International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout period.