The 1996 U.S. Women's Open was the 51st U.S. Women's Open, held May 30 to June 2 at Pine Needles Lodge and Golf Club in Southern Pines, North Carolina.

Defending champion Annika Sörenstam retained the title, six strokes ahead of runner-up Kris Tschetter. It was the second of her ten major titles; her third came nearly five years later. ESPN and NBC Sports televised the tournament.

Sörenstam was the sixth of seven to win consecutive titles at the U.S. Women's Open, most recently accomplished by Karrie Webb in 2001, also at Pine Needles. The championship returned to the venue for a third time in 2007, won by Cristie Kerr.

This was the first women's major with a winner's share of $200,000 or more; the U.S. Women's Open became the tour's richest major this year, passing the LPGA Championship.

Round summaries First round Thursday, May 30, 1996 Place Player Score To par T1 Beth Daniel69−1 Kim WilliamsT3 Brandie Burton70 E Riko Higashio (a) Jenny Lidback Michele Redman Annika Sörenstam Kris Tschetter T9 Jane Geddes 71 +1 Trish Johnson Rosie Jones Emilee Klein Catriona Matthew Missie McGeorge Joan Pitcock Maggie Will Source:

Second round Friday, May 31, 1996 Place Player Score To par 1 Annika Sörenstam70-67=137−3T2 Brandie Burton70-70=140 E Jane Geddes71-69=140 Emilee Klein71-69=1405 Rosie Jones71-70=141+1 T6 Stefania Croce72-70=142 +2 Laura Davies74-68=142 Gail Graham72-70=142 Tammie Green72-70=142 Joan Pitcock71-71=142 Val Skinner74-68=142 Source:

Third round Saturday, June 1, 1996 Place Player Score To par 1 Annika Sörenstam70-67-69=206−42 Brandie Burton70-70-69=209−1 3 Jane Geddes71-69-70=210E T4 Pat Bradley74-70-67=211 +1 Tammie Green72-70-69=211 T6 Laura Davies74-68-70=212+2 Nancy Harvey72-71-69=212 Mayumi Hirase74-69-69=212 Michele Redman70-73-69=212 Kris Tschetter70-74-68=212 Source:

Final round Sunday, June 2, 1996 Place Player Score To par Money ($)1 Annika Sörenstam70-67-69-66=272−8212,5002 Kris Tschetter70-74-68-66=278−2125,000 T3 Brandie Burton70-70-69-71=280E60,373 Jane Geddes71-69-70-70=280 Pat Bradley74-70-67-69=280 6 Laura Davies74-68-70-69=281+140,077 7 Catrin Nilsmark72-73-68-69=282+235,995 T8 Cindy Rarick73-70-72-68=283+329,584 Liselotte Neumann74-69-70-70=283 Tammie Green72-70-69-72=283 Val Skinner74-68-71-70=283 Source:

References

External links U.S. Women's Open - past champions - 1996