Dates | July 7–11, 2011 |
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Location | Colorado Springs, Colorado |
Course(s) | The Broadmoor, East Course |
Organized by | USGA |
Tour(s) | LPGA Tour |
Par | 71 |
Length | 7,047 yards (6,444 m) |
Field | 156 players, 72 after cut |
Cut | 149 (+7) |
Prize fund | $3.25 million |
Winner's share | $585,000 |
So Yeon Ryu | |
281 (−3), playoff | |
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The 2011 U.S. Women's Open Golf Championship was the 66th U.S. Women's Open, played July 7–11 at The Broadmoor East Course in Colorado Springs, Colorado. It was one of 13 national championships conducted by the United States Golf Association (USGA). The course is at an elevation of over 6,200 feet (1,890 m) above sea level and previously hosted the U.S. Women's Open in 1995, the first major championship won by Annika Sörenstam. Broadmoor East was the first course in the history of the tournament to play longer than 7,000 yards (6,400 m)
Because of repeated weather delays during each of the tournament days, each round spanned multiple days and play was concluded on Monday, July 11.
The champion was So Yeon Ryu of South Korea, who defeated compatriot Hee Kyung Seo in a three-hole aggregate playoff. Both players finished the regulation 72 holes at 281 (−3), two strokes ahead of Cristie Kerr. Seo completed her final round on Sunday and Ryu on Monday morning. Ryu won the playoff by three strokes, with birdies on the last two holes.
This was the first U.S. Women's Open to use the three-hole aggregate playoff. The playoff was formerly 18 holes, last played in 2006; the format was changed for 2007. The tournament was televised by ESPN and NBC Sports.
The championship was open to any female professional or amateur golfer with a USGA handicap index not exceeding 4.4. Players qualified by competing in one of twenty 36-hole qualifying tournaments that took place between May 16 and June 5 at sites across the United States. Additional players were exempt from qualifying because of past performances in professional or amateur tournaments around the world.