A Grand Stage for Women's Golf

Ahead of the 81st U.S. Women's Open, John Bodenhamer, the USGA's chief championships officer, has shifted the focus away from winning scores and toward the broader impact of hosting a major tournament at one of America's most prestigious courses. For the USGA, venue selection is a cornerstone of their long-term strategy, and bringing the tournament to the “cathedral of the game” at Riviera is expected to generate unprecedented visibility for women's golf.


«It's not about any score, it's not about even-par, having a winner at even-par, it's about the players getting every club in their bag dirty,» Bodenhamer noted.

Beyond the competition, the event aims to serve as a catalyst for interest among younger generations. Bodenhamer expressed optimism that seeing top-tier athletes compete on such a legendary layout will motivate children to pursue the sport, ultimately helping to grow the game globally.


Strategic Insights and Course Management

With 156 players representing 28 nations competing in Pacific Palisades, the USGA has utilized data from the recent Genesis Invitational to prepare the course. Bodenhamer highlighted the importance of parity in course testing, noting that the goal is to demonstrate that the challenges faced by women are comparable to those experienced by their male counterparts on the same fairways.


«The women deserve to play at these great venues where the men have played over the years and made great history,» he added. «We believe it's our obligation to do it, to lift up the women's game.»


Designing for Strategy and Skill

Shannon Rouillard, the USGA’s senior director of championships, emphasized that the course design by George Thomas remains the primary guide for tournament setup. Rather than artificially altering the course, the strategy focuses on preserving the architect's original intent, which rewards tactical thinking and shot-shaping.


  • The Par 3s: Considered the highlight of the design, each hole demands distinct precision, with the fourth hole famously allowing players to use the contours of the land to reach the green.
  • Testing the Field: Holes 2, 15, and 18 have been identified as the most demanding par 4s. Success on these holes is expected to be a major factor in determining the leaderboard standings.

Ultimately, the objective is to maintain the integrity of the course's most difficult sections while ensuring players have legitimate birdie opportunities that showcase their versatility and skill.