The U.S. Women's Open, now a cornerstone of women's professional golf, began its storied history in 1946 with a unique format that set it apart from all subsequent editions. The inaugural tournament, held at the Spokane Country Club in Washington, was the only U.S. Women's Open to be contested as a match play event. This initial approach, while successful in crowning its first champion, Patty Berg, marked a distinct phase in the championship's development
before it transitioned to the stroke play format that would define its future. The tournament's establishment immediately positioned it as a significant event, laying the groundwork for its eventual recognition as a major championship.
The Inaugural Format: A Match Play Anomaly
The 1946 U.S. Women's Open was a golf tournament contested from August 26 to September 1. It featured a field of 39 women, which was first reduced to a 32-player match play field through a 36-hole qualifier. This qualifying round took place on Monday and Tuesday, and saw six professionals and 26 amateurs advance to the match play portion. The structure of the match play competition involved 18-hole matches through the quarterfinals, escalating to 36-hole matches for both the semifinals and the finals. This format, while common in amateur golf at the time, was a singular occurrence for the U.S. Women's Open.
The decision to use match play for the first edition provided a dramatic, head-to-head style of competition. The final match, for instance, saw professionals Patty Berg and Betty Jameson battle it out over 36 holes. Berg ultimately defeated Jameson 5 and 4, securing her place as the first champion. This match play format, however, was a one-time affair. The very next year, in 1947, the tournament transitioned to a 72-hole stroke play event, with Betty Jameson winning the title under this new format. This shift established the standard for all future U.S. Women's Opens, making the 1946 event a unique historical footnote in the championship's evolution.
Establishing Major Championship Status and Financial Recognition
From its inception, the U.S. Women's Open was designed to be a premier event in women's golf. Organized by the WPGA and the Spokane Athletic Round Table, it quickly gained recognition. The substantial prize fund offered in 1946 underscored its importance. The total prize fund was $19,700, with the winner's share for Patty Berg being $5,600, and the runner-up, Betty Jameson, receiving $3,100. Notably, all prize money was awarded in war bonds, reflecting the post-war era.
This financial commitment was significant for its time. In fact, the winner's share from the 1946 tournament was not exceeded in subsequent U.S. Women's Opens until 1972, a full 26 years later. This demonstrates the high value placed on the inaugural championship and its winner. The tournament's immediate success and the prestige associated with winning it firmly established the U.S. Women's Open as a major championship in women's golf, a status it has maintained and built upon throughout its history, becoming one of the most coveted titles in the sport.
