The U.S. Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club in 2022 proved to be one of the toughest challenges in recent memory for the players, with only four players finishing under par after two rounds. The difficult setup of the course led to many players struggling to navigate the treacherous greens and punishing rough. The last time the U.S. Open was held at Lancaster C.C. in 2015, the cut line fell at five over, but this year, the cut came at eight over, highlighting the increased difficulty of the course.
One of the main challenges of the course was its length, with several players noting the heavy rough and sloping greens as key factors in the overall difficulty. The fast and contoured greens played a significant role in the tournament, with many players struggling to read the tricky putts and avoid three-putts. The narrow landing areas and thick rough added to the challenge, forcing players to hit accurate shots off the tee to have a chance at stopping the ball on the firm greens.
Course setup was led by Shannon Rouillard of the USGA, who noted that players were physically and mentally exhausted after their rounds due to the demanding conditions. She closely monitored the scoring and shot data to adjust the course setup accordingly, with an emphasis on strategic play and patience. Despite the difficulty of the course, players were respectful and appreciative of the challenge, recognizing that a true test of golf should push them to their limits.
Rouillard made adjustments for the weekend rounds, shortening the course and potentially softening the conditions to make it more manageable for the players. The 12th hole, which had been the scene of Nelly Korda’s disastrous 10, remained a psychological challenge for many players, with a fear factor contributing to their struggles. The tough greens continued to be a major point of difficulty, requiring players to be precise in their approach shots and putting.
Overall, the U.S. Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club proved to be a true test of skill and mental strength for the players, with the setup pushing them to their limits. Despite the challenges, players embraced the difficulty and saw it as a necessary component of a major championship. The tough conditions separated the best from the rest, with only the most skilled and resilient players able to navigate the course and contend for the title. As the tournament progressed, the true winner would emerge from the field, having conquered one of the toughest tests in women’s golf.
