US Women’s Open Golf Championship is underway at Erin Hills

Over 150 of the best female golfers in the world have descended on a sprawling 652-acre golf course in Wisconsin just minutes away from Holy Hill.

The 2025 U.S. Women’s Open Golf Championship is taking place Thursday through Sunday at Erin Hills in Washington County. Over 1,900 golfers attempted to participate in the event, according to the Ladies Professional Golf Association, but only 156 will compete for the Harton S. Semple trophy, which is given to the winner of the championship.

This is the third time the U.S Women’s Open has been in Wisconsin, but it’s the first time the event is held at Erin Hills. An estimated 40,000 to 60,000 people will attend the four-day tournament, while all rounds will be broadcast live.

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“To be asked to host such an incredible event is just super exciting for Wisconsin,” said Sophia Mazurek, the volunteer chair for the Open. “It gives us a lot of publicity to a great golf course and we’re so blessed in this state to have so many great golf courses.”

“It’s huge for us to have this,” she added.

A golfer wearing a cap and sunglasses stands on the green holding a putter, with large white tents visible in the background. — Japanese golfer Rio Takeda tips her hat to spectators Thursday, May 29, 2025, during the U.S. Women’s Open at Erin Hills in Erin, Wis. *Angela Major/WPR*

Large rustic clubhouse with stone facade and wooden details overlooks a golf course, with people seated outside and golf carts parked nearby under a cloudy sky. — Areas are set up for fans Thursday, May 29, 2025, during the U.S. Women’s Open at Erin Hills in Erin, Wis. *Angela Major/WPR*

The estimated economic impact for the area is between $20 million and $30 million, according to Allison Burns, the senior director of the U.S. Women’s Open. That includes construction as well as hotel and restaurant spending.

“A lot of different parts make up that number that’s going to be coming back to the state of Wisconsin,” Burns said.

The Erin Hills golf course, which opened in 2006, is 35 miles away from Milwaukee. GolfDigest has ranked the course as the 10th best public golf course in the nation.

“I think it’s a pretty tough test out there, specifically if we get some wind, which we’re looking to probably have some tomorrow (Friday),” Burns said about the course. “It’s a pretty long property, but it definitely tests the players.”

The golfers are competing for a $12 million purse, which will be divided among the players. Burns said that’s the highest purse ever in the history of women’s golf.

A golfer finishes a swing with a scoreboard in the background showing hole 10, par 4, 419 yards. — Hazuki Kimura of Japan tees off Thursday, May 29, 2025, during the U.S. Women’s Open at Erin Hills in Erin, Wis. *Angela Major/WPR*

People walk across a grassy area near two white tents at a golf event, with more attendees and grandstands visible in the background. — Spectators walk around the golf course Thursday, May 29, 2025, during the U.S. Women’s Open at Erin Hills in Erin, Wis. *Angela Major/WPR*

Corey Smith and his friend were posted in the spectator area near the tee on the eighth hole of the course. Smith has only been playing golf for a year, but he said attending the event is a chance to see the best players in the world up close and personal.

“It’s always good to be able to come out and see professionals, learn some tips, get to walk around, be in nature,” said Smith, who lives in the Milwaukee area.

Jeffrey Hughes drove an hour to the tournament Thursday morning from his home in Fox Lake. For him, the event is chance to showcase the state to the world. Erin Hills was also the site of the 2017 U.S. Open Championship.

“I like to support the LPGA (Ladies Professional Golf Association), and I like to support Wisconsin getting more and more tournaments,” Hughes said.

Mazurek, who is also the assistant director of course rating and handicapping for the Wisconsin State Golf Association, said more than 2,000 volunteers are on site, working on everything from greeting and directing fans to helping broadcasters locate the golf ball when it lands.

Around 70 percent of the volunteers are from Wisconsin, according to Burns.

“The volunteers are the backbone of this event,” Mazurek said.

Mazurek has been helping with planning for over a year.

“Just to see everything go from nothing to everything has been super fun to watch,” she said.

Large metal sculpture and sign reading 80th U.S. Womens Championship on a grassy field with tents and blue sky in the background. — A clover statue can be seen from the course Thursday, May 29, 2025, during the U.S. Women’s Open at Erin Hills in Erin, Wis. Angela Major/WPR

An older man wearing a cap and jacket sits on a blue mobility scooter on grass, watching an outdoor event with other spectators standing nearby. — Jeffrey Hughes watches golfers Thursday, May 29, 2025, during the U.S. Women’s Open at Erin Hills in Erin, Wis. *Angela Major/WPR*

Doug Bruss made the short drive from Menomonee Falls on Thursday morning. After walking in shortly after 10 a.m., he and his friend said they plan to stay near the 18th hole next to the entrance.

“We’re just going to probably find a place to park and watch from there, because … we’re at the stage of, there ain’t going to be no walking around, following people,” Bruss said. “That’s way too much walking, way too much walking.”

Burns said tickets are still available. The final round will be held on Sunday.

The U.S. Women’s Open Golf Championship is the latest large sporting event held in Wisconsin in recent months. Milwaukee hosted the first and second rounds of the NCAA Men’s College Basketball Tournament in March, while Green Bay played host to the 2025 NFL Draft in April.

“Wisconsin’s been getting a lot of good events lately, so I’m trying to take advantage while I live here,” Smith said.