1972 U.S. Women's Open
The 1972 U.S. Women's Open was the 27th U.S. Women's Open, held June 29 to July 2 at the East Course of Winged Foot Golf Club in Mamaroneck, New York.
| Tournament information | |
|---|---|
| Dates | June 29 – July 2, 1972 |
| Location | Mamaroneck, New York |
| Course(s) | Winged Foot Golf Club, East Course |
| Organized by | USGA |
| Tour(s) | LPGA Tour |
| Format | Stroke play – 72 holes |
| Statistics | |
| Par | 72 |
| Length | 6,226 yards (5,693 m) |
| Field | 150 players, 53 after cut |
| Cut | 161 (+17) |
| Prize fund | $40,000 |
| Winner's share | $6,000 |
| Champion | |
| Susie Berning | |
| 299 (+11) | |
Susie Berning won the second of her three U.S. Women's Open titles, a stroke ahead of runners-up Kathy Ahern, Pam Barnett, and Judy Rankin. Berning opened with a 79 (+7) and started the final round at 228 (+12), four strokes behind 54-hole leader Barnett. Berning carded a one-under 71 for the third of her four major wins. Defending champion JoAnne Carner finished at 312 (+24), thirteen strokes back.
With a winner's share of $6,000, the 1972 edition was the first to exceed that of the inaugural championship in 1946, the only one conducted as a match play event. The course conditions at Winged Foot were soft, affected by the recent heavy rains of tropical storm Agnes, originally a hurricane. Two-time champion Louise Suggs made the cut at age 48.
The championship was previously held at the East Course in 1957; the adjacent West Course has hosted many major championships.