Cristie Kerr headlines record number of entrants for 2022 U.S. Women’s Open at Pine Needles

A record number of entries were filed for this year’s U.S. Women’s Open, the U.S. Golf Association has announced. The 1,874 total narrowly tops the previous record of 1,873 set in 2015, when the championship was held at Lancaster (Pa.) Country Club.

Past champions Cristie Kerr (2007) and Eun Hee Ji (2009) were among those who filed entries for this year’s championship, scheduled for June 2-5 at Pine Needles Lodge and Golf Club in Southern Pines, North Carolina. Kerr won the 2007 U.S. Women’s Open held at Pine Needles but is not exempt this year. Last year, the former No. 1 competed on a special exemption at The Olympic Club.

Kerr, 44, is scheduled to compete in Morristown, New Jersey, on May 10, while Ji, 35, is in the Fort Myers, Florida, qualifier on May 4.

Leonie Tavares, 11, of Canada is the youngest entrant, and Denise Callahan, 61, from Canton, Ohio, is the oldest. California amateur Vanessa Wang, 21, was the last one in, beating the April 6 deadline by seven minutes.

2021 USWO winner Yuka Saso and Annika Sorenstam are two of the past champions who highlight the field along with Michelle Wie West (2014), Inbee Park (2008, 2013), So Yeon Ryu (2011), In Gee Chun (2015), Brittany Lang (2016), Sung Hyun Park (2017), Ariya Jutanugarn (2018), Jeongeun Lee6 (2019), and A Lim Kim (2020).

There are 82 players who are fully exempt into the championship. That number will increase with the addition of winners from any LPGA co-sponsored event prior to the USWO as well as any player who is among the top 75 points leaders and ties from the Rolex Rankings as of May 16, who is not otherwise exempt.

Here’s the list of exempt players 2022 U.S. Women’s Open (as of April 6):

*a- amateur