How to Grow the Women's Game: Thoughts on the 2024 US Women's Open

The 79th U.S. Women's Open is underway at Lancaster Country Club, where 156 players are competing for the Harton S. Semple Trophy. Nine of the top 10 in the Rolex Women's World Golf Ranking and eight past winners have teed it up, including defending champion Allisen Corpuz and 2015 U.S. Women's Open winner In Gee Chun. As the Eras tour continues in Europe, a new era continues to unfold for women's sports. One might argue that star power alone could get women's golf there, too. The LPGA has a candidate in the red hot Nelly Korda; the number one player in the world is going for her seventh win in eight starts. It's one suggestion, but believe creativity and complementarity are the path to progress for the women's game. Are you ready for it?

Creativity never goes out of style. Curiosity cultivates it. Call it marketing 101. And to that point, I love that the #2024USWO social media campaign called attention to the 2024 host site with the question: How do you say "Lancaster?" Turns out golfers aren't the only ones who have struggled with this phonetic feat. Now, fans know not only how to say "Lancaster" they will remember the club, too. Cool. Creative.

Furthermore, I believe the men's and women's games ought to complement one another. We learn, gain inspiration and can enjoy both. Fandom need not be an either/or proposition;  Following one game shouldn't be at the expense of the other. I will never hit the ball as far as either a man or woman on the tour, but I might 6 putt (Ernie Els—hole one at the 2016 Masters) or take a 10 on a par three (Nelly Korda—hole 3). Professional golfers are both immortal and mortal! I'm the latter, only.

I do wish professional golf would lean into the mindset of complementarity. It may require creativity, but a little could go a long way. For example, in 2014 both the men's and women's US Open championships were held at Pinehurst. This allowed fans to watch both tourneys with a certain familiarity and appreciation for the competition. I valued comparing and contrasting the unique demands the course made of the men and women as it related to their game. It's possible that some clubs could not handle all that goes into hosting two major championships (the venue changes every year and the contest is held at both public and private courses). I get it.

In 2029 both the men's and women's championships will be held at Pinehurst! Back-to-back! 

Regardless of venue, perhaps creative timing could help. For example, the men's US Open always takes place on Father's Day weekend. Could the women's US Open follow suit and happen over Mother's Day weekend?  The media does an outstanding job of highlighting the players who are fathers on the tour as well as the Dads and Granddads who taught their sons/grandsons. It's the sweetest of tributes and could correlate to the women's game. There are several mothers who compete on the tour and I would love to hear more about those players who learned the game from their own mom or Grandmom! I say conspire with creativity....see where it goes and who it shows!

In December 2023, golf took a lesson from professional tennis. For the first time since 1999 PGA and LPGA held a mixed-team Challenge Season event: the Grant Thornton Invitational. As written by the PGA: 

As we look to capitalize on the growing interest in the game of golf, the addition of a mixed event to the calendar has been a priority, and we greatly appreciate title sponsor Grant Thornton for their support in delivering an event that will make our sport more appealing and welcoming to all,” PGA TOUR Commissioner Jay Monahan said. “We look forward to partnering with the LPGA as we deliver first-class entertainment and competition to our fans and the residents of Southwest Florida, who have embraced the PGA TOUR for the past 22 years.”

“We could not be more excited to add the Grant Thornton Invitational to our 2023 schedule,” said LPGA Commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan. “By joining forces with the PGA TOUR to host a mixed event where the top male and female golfers in the world compete alongside each other, we’re going to deliver a memorable and entertaining experience for all golf fans, showcasing our players’ incredible skills in a new context to a new audience. This is an important step forward for golf, women’s golf and the LPGA.

Lexi Thompson competes in her final US Open. She qualified in 2007 at the age of 12!

My experience at Wimbledon in the summer of 2023 had me thinking that golf ought to embrace a similar opportunity. While the Grant Thornton Invitational has men and women compete side by side, I don't know why a number of tournaments could not field men and women. They would play the same golf course, but from the appropriate tees. Like tennis, players would enter under the women's or men's draw. This would allow spectators and fans to see the best male and female players in the world! Read more here: Lesson from Wimbledon: A Reminder about the Importance of Equal Access.

Let us continue to usher in a new era for both women's and men's sports. I'd love to see cooperation in the competition. Creativity and complementarity. Let's conspire for both.

Photo Credits
Lex
US Open Logo
Two Trophies