Amateur Hye-Jin Choi finishes 2nd at U.S. Women's Open
July 16, 2017 | by AmateurGolf.com Staff
see also: Hye-Jin Choi, View results for U.S. Women's Open, Riviera Country Club
After a water ball on the par-3 16th dashed her chances at the title, Choi posts a solid birdie for solo second
BEDMINSTER, NJ (July 16, 2017) - It was a big ask. At 17-years-old, Hye-Jin Choi entered the final round one shot behind. Midway through that round, she held a 2-shot advantage. And while she eventually saw her hopes of a win fly into the water right of the short par-3 16th hole, Choi has accomplished something not done since Brittany Lang and Morgan Pressel tied for second in 2005.
"Today I was hitting the ball perfectly, Choi told Fox Sports through an interpreter. "On No. 16 I tried to hit it even more perfect, and that's what led to the missed shot."
The Korean golfer -- who came over with hopes of just making the cut -- displayed tremendous length and ball striking throughout the tournament, barely missing a fairway in the final round. Had her putter been hot, she could have really gone low.
Choi, 17, is now the No. 1 ranked player in the Golfweek/AmateurGolf.com Women's Rankings.
A blow up triple at the last dropped a disappointed Shanshan Feng (who was in solo second starting the 18th hole) down the leaderboard, but Choi was already in close for birdie and likely would have gotten a tie for second at the worst given the long and left third shot by Feng.
Sung-Hyun Park finished 67-67 over the weekend to get to 11-under and win the title by two shots. She played nearly flawless golf down the stretch, all the way down to an impressive chip shot to within inches after missing the green long and left on No. 18. Playing from the closely-mown area with water lurking past the flag, Park hit a perfect bump-and-run to close out the victory.
"My caddie assured me I had played the shot [successfully] before," Park told Fox Sports. "That calmed me down."
Best Finishes by an Amateur in the U.S. Women's Open Since 1967
Win, Catherine Lacoste (1967)
T2, Hye-Jin Choi (2017)
T2, Brittany Lang (2005)
T2, Morgan Pressel (2005)
2, Jenny Chuasiriporn (1998)
T2 Nancy Lopez (1975)
ABOUT AMATEUR HYE-HIN CHOI
Choi has played in several professional tournaments in the last two years, both on the LPGA Tour and the Ladies European Tour. Coming into the week, her best finish on the LPGA Tour was a tie for seventh at the 2017 Australian Women's Open; on the LET she was the runner-up in the New Zealand Women's Open last year.
Four other amateurs made the cut.
Jennifer Kupcho (71) finished T21 at even par.
Rachel Heck (72, T33)
Lauren Stephenson of Lexington, SC and the University of Alabama shot 75 to finish T41
Brooke Seay (76, T60) round out the group.
"Today I was hitting the ball perfectly, Choi told Fox Sports through an interpreter. "On No. 16 I tried to hit it even more perfect, and that's what led to the missed shot."
The Korean golfer -- who came over with hopes of just making the cut -- displayed tremendous length and ball striking throughout the tournament, barely missing a fairway in the final round. Had her putter been hot, she could have really gone low.
Choi, 17, is now the No. 1 ranked player in the Golfweek/AmateurGolf.com Women's Rankings.
A blow up triple at the last dropped a disappointed Shanshan Feng (who was in solo second starting the 18th hole) down the leaderboard, but Choi was already in close for birdie and likely would have gotten a tie for second at the worst given the long and left third shot by Feng.
Sung-Hyun Park finished 67-67 over the weekend to get to 11-under and win the title by two shots. She played nearly flawless golf down the stretch, all the way down to an impressive chip shot to within inches after missing the green long and left on No. 18. Playing from the closely-mown area with water lurking past the flag, Park hit a perfect bump-and-run to close out the victory.
"My caddie assured me I had played the shot [successfully] before," Park told Fox Sports. "That calmed me down."
Best Finishes by an Amateur in the U.S. Women's Open Since 1967
Win, Catherine Lacoste (1967)
T2, Hye-Jin Choi (2017)
T2, Brittany Lang (2005)
T2, Morgan Pressel (2005)
2, Jenny Chuasiriporn (1998)
T2 Nancy Lopez (1975)
ABOUT AMATEUR HYE-HIN CHOI
Choi has played in several professional tournaments in the last two years, both on the LPGA Tour and the Ladies European Tour. Coming into the week, her best finish on the LPGA Tour was a tie for seventh at the 2017 Australian Women's Open; on the LET she was the runner-up in the New Zealand Women's Open last year.
Jennifer Kupcho (71) finished T21 at even par.
Rachel Heck (72, T33)
Lauren Stephenson of Lexington, SC and the University of Alabama shot 75 to finish T41
Brooke Seay (76, T60) round out the group.
Results: U.S. Women's Open
| Place | Player | Location | Pts | Scores |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | , Korea | 3000 | 69-69-70-71=279 | |
| T21 | Denver, CO | 800 | 74-72-71-71=288 | |
| T33 | Memphis, TN | 700 | 72-74-72-72=290 | |
| T41 | Lexington, SC | 500 | 72-72-73-75=292 | |
| T60 | Rancho Santa Fe, CA | 500 | 73-73-79-76=301 |
About the U.S. Women's Open
The U.S. Women's Open has the biggest payout in women's golf. It is one of 15 annual championships conducted by the USGA. The event is open to any professional or amateur female golfer. There is a handicap limit for amateurs; for the 2024 event it wa...
Most Popular Articles
LIVE SCORING: 2026 Australian Men’s Amateur Championship
Feb 5, 2026Australia’s national amateur championship returns Feb. 3–6 at The Western Australian and Wanneroo.
2026 Ben Hogan Award Watch List: 35 Names to Know This Spring
Jan 29, 2026The 2026 Ben Hogan Award watch list is out—35 college golf standouts are in the early mix for the game’s top individual honor.
Titleist Fitting Philosophy: The Competitive Amateur’s Fastest Path to Lower Scores
Jan 26, 2026Competitive golf is a game of small edges. Titleist’s fitting approach combines expert human insight and honest data
NCAA Champion Michael La Sasso Turns Pro, Signs With LIV Golf
Jan 20, 2026Michael La Sasso is going LIV, joining Phil Mickelson’s HyFlyers GC and passing on the 2026 Masters.
Early Invites Announced for the 2026 Augusta National Women’s Amateur
Jan 24, 2026A running list of the first confirmed names headed to Augusta.