Five Aussie hopefuls head to the iconic Pebble Beach for the U.S Women’s Open. Here are all the important details for each, including why they can win.
MINJEE LEE
Age: 27
World Ranking: 6
U.S Women's Opens Played: Nine
Best finish at the U.S Women's Open: Win (2022)
Best Major result: Win (2022 U.S Women’s Open; 2021 Evian Championship)
Why she can win: The last time a player defended their U.S Women’s Open title was in 2001 when Australia’s very own Karrie Webb triumphed at Pine Needles – the location Lee won her U.S Open crown last year. If you believe in fairytales, there is one waiting to happen. But also, Lee’s game has been trending in the right direction for several weeks after a slow start to the year, a win feels not far away. Hitting greens will help your cause at a U.S Open and Lee is ranked sixth on Tour in greens in regulation and is always a threat off the tee. If the West Australian gets hot with the putter, she could be the one to beat this week.
Odds: $29
HANNAH GREEN
Age: 26
World Ranking: 18
U.S Women's Opens Played: Four
Best finish at the U.S Women's Open: T28 (2022)
Best Major result: Win (2019 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship)
Why she can win: It has been a tough few weeks for the West Australian following her victory at the JM Eagle L.A Championship earlier this year. But the proof she can get it done is there – already once a major champion in her young career. Green is a fantastic iron player, which will prove crucial at any U.S Open, but especially at Pebble Beach, where the fierce winds sweep off the North Pacific Ocean. Huge chance here.
Odds: $67
GRACE KIM
Age: 22
World Ranking: 66
U.S Women's Opens Played: One
Best finish at the U.S Women's Open: T63 (2021)
Best Major result: 14th (2023 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship)
Why she can win: Fresh off her best finish at a major, Grace Kim has done more than prove she can hang with the best players in the world in her rookie season on the LPGA Tour – including a win. Kim has been incredibly consistent lately, posting three top-20 finishes in her last four starts. A complete player from tee to green and improving at an exceptional rate, it wouldn’t surprise many if she features on the weekend. Game that is almost tailor made for a U.S Open.
Odds: $71
GABI RUFFELS
Age: 23
World Ranking: 193
U.S Women's Opens Played: Two
Best finish at the U.S Women's Open: T13 (2020)
Best Major result: T13 (2020 AIG Women’s Open; 2020 U.S Women’s Open)
Why she can win: Ruffels has shown that she gets herself up for the year's biggest events, with only missed one cut from eight appearances and a last start T24 at the KPMG Women's PGA Championship. Unlike many of her competitors, Ruffels has played competitive rounds at Pebble Beach, twice playing in the TaylorMade Golf Pebble Beach Invitational, which could gain a slight advantage over some of her peers. Ruffels has shown she loves to get in the thick of it at major championships, maybe a familiar golf course is all she needs to contend on Sunday. Great run of form on the Epson Tour so far this year helps her calims here too.
Odds: $151
MADDISON HINSON-TOLCHARD (a)
Age: 21
World Ranking: 1086
U.S Women's Opens Played: Debut
Best finish at the U.S Women's Open: N/A
Best Major result: N/A
Why she can win: An All-American out of the famous Oklahoma State University, Tolchard earned her spot in this week’s U.S Women’s Open by firing eight-under-par at Indian Creek Golf Club’s Creek Course. With the strength of the field this week, it is tough to see an amateur getting the job done … but it isn’t entirely out of the question with the way Tolchard is hitting the ball. She finished solo fourth at the NCAA Division I championship, won the Big 12 Conference individual title and finished in a tie for sixth at the Augusta Women’s Invitational. The West Australian is in red-hot touch, but this is will be her biggest challenge yet, great claims to take low amateur honours, her stated goal for the week.
Odds: $326
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