The 78th U.S. Women’s Open at Pebble Beach opens next Wednesday. This means that the most anticipated women’s event of the year is near. The men compete at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am every year, while the occasional U.S. Open is held. But July 5-9 will see the first appearance of the top female players on this iconic course.
Players can also apply for special exemptions once entries are open. These exemptions are rare. Patty Berg was granted the first exemption in 1977. She also received one in 1978 and 1979.
Juli Inkster was also a three time recipient. He received special exemptions in 1993, 1994, and 2013. Although it is unlikely that Inkster, who hails from Northern California and has been a USWO winner twice, will be granted a fourth exemption in 2013, 1994, and 2013, don’t be surprised if he attempts to qualify.
Cristie Kerr and Paula Creamer were granted special exemptions at The Olympic Club in 2021. It would not be surprising for either player to receive another one.
Annika Sorenstam would easily be granted a special exemption. Three-time USWO winner Annika Sorenstam has never requested a special exemption. After winning the 2021 U.S. Senior Women’s Open, she was able to play at Pine Needles last year.
Sorenstam was disappointed at the USSWO last year and stated that she doesn’t intend to play as often in 2023. The exemption for Pebble would need to be requested by Sorenstam, which the USGA would most certainly approve. However, she has not yet made a decision.
Rose Zhang, a former U.S Women’s Amateur champion is now exempt from the USWO. She won the Mark H. McCormack medal for top amateur a third-time. She would be no longer exempt if the Stanford player decides to become a professional after the NCAA Championship. Zhang could still qualify, but it is worth noting that Michelle Wie West was exempted as both an amateur and young professional prior to joining the LPGA.
Inkster was a three-time U.S. Women’s Amateur Champion and received her first exemption soon after becoming a professional, as did Vicki Goetze–Ackerman (1993).
Laura Davies, 59 years old, expressed her desire to play at Pebble Beach. She also noted at the U.S. Senior Women’s Open last year that she may try to qualify. In 2009, Davies was granted a special exemption. She is the winner of both the 1987 USWO and the 2018 U.S. Senior Women’s Open. Davies was the first British player to win this championship. The LPGA changed its constitution to give her automatic membership.
Special exemptions are not granted every year. No player was granted one between 2010 and 2012. For 2022, the same happened.
Here is a list of players who were granted special exemptions between 2000 and 2021.
