U.S. Women’s Open: Top 5 Infamous Controversies, Ranked

The US Women’s Open has had its fair share of controversies in its 78 years of existence. Be it disqualification due to strange rules or, in more recent times, political reasons, the LPGA’s most prestigious major has grappled with adverse criticisms more than once. As the 2024 US Women’s Open begins next week, we take a look at the five most controversial moments in recent history. 

A 20-year-old getting disqualified for a ‘rookie’ mistake

Thai rookie Natthakritta Vongtaveelap was on her sixth hole after starting from the back nine when her US Women’s Open journey was cut short by a rule violation. USGA, in an official statement, noted, “During the first round, on multiple occasions, the caddie for Natthakritta Vongtaveelap used a distance measuring device, which is not allowed in the U.S. Women’s Open.” 

The first breach would’ve been a penalty, but more than once, it resulted in DQ. Although rangefinders are allowed on most LPGA Tour events, distance-measuring devices are banned at the AIG Women’s Open and the US Women’s Open. 

Brandel Chamblee ran into controversy for an unpopular opinion 

Brandel Chamblee suggested the USGA should scale down the lengths by 1,100 yards. The reason? The veteran Golf Channel analyst thought that LPGA Pros not driving the greens on the par-5s “does rob the LPGA tour of a lot of its excitement.” Chamblee’s comments heated up the Twitterati. More so, because the veteran analyst suggested that the courses for men’s golf should be moved to 8000 yards. Moreover, the USGA was already coming up with a proposal for a golf ball rollback policy, to lessen the ‘unfair’ advantage that modern-day hi-tech clubs give pros. 

Allisen Corpuz’s triumph nearly got ruined due to slow play

Allisen Corpuz’s Sunday was almost ruined by last year’s US Women’s Open. The Hawaiian, and her playing mate, Nasa Hataoka, were put on the clock on the back nine. To make matters worse, Corpuz’s caddie, Jay Monahan, went to the loo right after that. 

Again, on the 13th, USGA officials warned them the second time. One more, and they would be assessed a one-stroke penalty, the official told. Allisen Corpuz took too much time switching between clubs during her approach shot. Monahan later recounted, “I kinda turned around and was like, ‘Wait, we get stroked if we get another one?’ I think [Corpuz] heard me say that, and it was a little stressful at that time.” Fortunately, they didn’t and Corpuz eventually went to claim the Harton S. Semple trophy with a three-stroke victory. 

Donald Trump’s presence at the 2017 US Women’s Open

The Trump National First Course hosted the US Women’s Open seven years ago. There were already calls asking Trump not to be present on the course. Many rightly predicted that having a sitting president on the course inevitably takes the limelight away from the deserving LPGA Tour pros. Two-time Major champion Brittany Lincicome hoped that he wouldn’t arrive.

However, the owner, former POTUS Donald Trump, was watching from an enclosed viewing area on the 15th green. The 77-year-old was the first sitting President to visit the National Women’s major. LPGA was put under Trump’s shadow as unnecessary controversy gripped the 72nd US Women’s Open. 

Playoff controversy at the 2016 US Women’s Open

Anna Nordqvist was into her last shot at the final hole of a playoff against Brittany Lang. Rules officials hurriedly came to the Swede eying her second major title, to inform her that she had been penalized for a rules violation under 13-4b. Nordqvist’s 5-iron grazed the sand on the 17th bunker at CordeValle, which gave Lang a two-shot advantage. 

Lang was looking for a birdie until then with a high lob wedge. Knowing the advantage, she changed her strategy because now a two-putt would do the job. Nordqvist didn’t have any complaints against the rule; just wished she had been informed earlier. “I don’t know if it would have changed the outcome, but it certainly would have changed my aggressiveness into the 18th pin,” the Swede said afterward. 

It had a strange parallel to the 1957 edition, when Jackie Pung, the winner, was disqualified for signing the wrong scorecard. Ironically, both Pung and her playing mate, Betty Jameson, made the same mistake on each other’s cards, resulting in DQ for both. 

The US Women’s Open will tee off on May 30 at the Lancaster Country Club. The loaded field includes Nelly Korda, who has already won six titles this season, Lydia Ko, defending champion, Allisen Corpuz, young sensation, Rose Zhang, and others. Peacock and NBC will take over the broadcasting and streaming mantle that weekend.