Greatest Moments in US Women's Open History

The Second Major of the Season Begins at Erin Hills
Se-ri Pak's Barefoot Fighting Spirit on the Final 18th Hole in Sudden Death
Juyeon Kim Clinches Victory with Bunker Shot on the 18th Hole of the Final Round
Chuasiriporn Sinks a 13.7-Meter Birdie Putt on the Final Day

The US Women's Open is a prestigious tournament boasting tradition and history. The 2025 event marks its 80th edition. This year's tournament began on May 29 (local time) at Erin Hills (par 72, 6,829 yards) in Erin, Wisconsin, USA. The total prize money is $12 million (approximately 16.6 billion KRW), the largest in the history of women's golf. So far, ten Korean players have combined for eleven victories at the US Women's Open, delivering impressive performances. Each year, dramatic finishes and memorable moments continue to captivate golf fans.

Se-ri Pak is taking off her socks and entering the water to retrieve a ball caught on the edge of a pond at the 18th hole in a playoff during the 1998 US Women's Open. USGA

One of the most iconic moments is Se-ri Pak's "barefoot fighting spirit." In the 1998 tournament, Pak clinched victory after a marathon battle of 92 holes over five days against Thailand's Jenny Chuasiriporn. The highlight came at the second playoff hole, the 18th. After her tee shot landed near the left pond, Pak faced a crisis. To hit a ball caught at the water's edge, she took off her socks and stepped into the pond barefoot. With a bold trouble shot, she made bogey and extended the match, eventually sinking a dramatic "winning birdie" at the second sudden-death hole.

Her white feet, in stark contrast to her sunburned calves, left a powerful impression on golf fans worldwide. This moment also brought great hope to the people of South Korea, who were struggling with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) economic crisis at the time. Pak recalled, "The US Women's Open is a tournament I'll never forget for the rest of my life," and added, "That pond shot was the best shot of my career." In fact, this scene sparked a golf boom in Korea.

'Buddy Kim' Juyeon Kim hoisted the championship trophy after making a dramatic bunker shot birdie on the 18th hole of the 4th round at the 2005 US Women's Open. Photo by AFP Yonhap News

In 2005, "Buddy Kim" Juyeon Kim created another dramatic moment. At that time, Kim entered the 18th hole of the 4th round tied for the lead with Morgan Pressel of the United States. However, her second shot landed in a bunker, putting her in danger. Kim then hit a precise shot from the deep bunker onto the green, and the ball rolled about three meters before dropping into the hole for a birdie. This birdie remains Kim's only victory on the LPGA Tour.

In 2009, Eunhee Ji produced another legendary scene at the tournament held in Saucon Valley, Pennsylvania, by defeating American star Cristie Kerr. Starting two shots behind, Ji made a comeback by sinking a birdie putt from about six meters on the final 18th hole, winning by a single stroke.

In addition, the US Women's Open has produced legendary moments every year, including Chuasiriporn's 13.7-meter birdie putt in 1998, Annika Sorenstam's (Sweden) fantastic eagle shot in 2008 before her retirement, and Lauri Merten's (USA) 21-meter chip-in birdie in 1993.