Featured Players
Qualifying and Exemptions
Entries are open to professional and amateur female golfers. Amateurs must have an up-to-date USGA Handicap Index® not exceeding 4.4 under the USGA Handicap System. In order to apply to play in the 2009 U.S. Women’s Open click here.
Entries are subject to rejection at any time (including during the championship) by the USGA. The reason for rejection may include unbecoming conduct.
Age
Players are required to list their ages and dates of birth on USGA entry forms. In addition to listing their ages, all players who are minors in the state in which they reside (e.g., New Jersey, under the age of 18) must also list a parent/guardian and family physician with the appropriate phone numbers. The application must also be signed by the same parent/guardian. Failure to comply with the requirements set forth in this paragraph will result in rejection of the entry. Players subject to these restrictions may only submit a written entry and may not file an entry via the Internet.
Amateur Status
All amateur players must conform with the USGA Rules of Amateur Status as specified in The Rules of Golf.
International Players
All amateur international players must also conform to Rule 4-1 of the USGA Rules of Amateur Status. These players may not accept expenses from outside sources unless specifically permitted by the USGA Rules of Amateur Status. For more information, see Rule 4-1 of the USGA Rules of Amateur Status.
Exemptions
In order to receive an exemption from qualifying, a golfer must meet one of the following qualifications:
1. Winners of the U.S. Women’s Open for the last 10 years (1999-2008)
2. Winners of the U.S. Women’s Amateur for the last two years (2007-2008) and runner-up for the most recent year (2008)
3. Winners of the LPGA Championship for the last five years (2005-2009)
4. Winners of the Women’s British Open Championship for the last five years (2004-2008)
5. Winners of the Kraft Nabisco Championship the last five years (2005-2009)
6. From the 2008 U.S. Women’s Open Championship, the 20 lowest scorers and anyone tying for 20th place
7. From the 2008 final official LPGA money list, the top 40 money leaders
8. From the 2009 official LPGA money list, the top 35 money leaders through (Date TBD)
9. Winners of LPGA co-sponsored events, whose victories are considered official, from the conclusion of the 2008 U.S. Women’s Open Championship to the initiation of the 2009 U.S. Women’s Open Championship
10. Top three players from the 2008 Japan LPGA Tour, Korea LPGA Tour and Ladies European Tour New Star money lists
11. Special exemptions selected by the USGA
All Players
Fifteen players have already earned full exemptions from local and sectional qualifying for the 2009 U.S. Women’s Open. A full list of player exemptions for the 2009 U.S. Women’s Open will be available in the weeks prior to the championship.
Below is a list of players who are fully exempt for the 2009 U.S. Women’s Open, including their reason for exemption:
- Helen Alfredson
- Nicole Castrale
- Na Yeon Choi
- Paula Creamer
- Juli Inkster
- Jeong Jang
- Cristie Kerr
- Birdie Kim
- In-Kyung Kim
- Mi Hyun Kim
- *Jessica Korda
- Candie Kung
- Jee Young Lee
- Seon Hwa Lee
- Stacey Lewis
- Teresa Lu
- Hilary Lunke
- Meg Mallon
- Catriona Matthew
- Lorena Ochoa
- Se Ri Pak
- Angela Park
- Inbee Park
- Suzann Pettersen
- Morgan Pressel
- Giulia Sergas
- Ji-Yai Shin
- Annika Sorenstam
- Sherri Steinhauer
- Karen Stupples
- Yani Tseng
- Momoko Ueda
- *Maria Jose Uribe
- Karrie Webb