81ST U.S. Women's Open Championship

Presented by Ally

Qualifying

 

Thursday, May 7, 2026

 

NOTICE TO COMPETITORS

 

HOST CLUB INFORMATION

Somerset Country Club                                          General Manager:                Sarah Cairns

1416 Dodd Road                                                       PGA Professional:                Michael Foley

Mendota Heights, MN  55118                                    GCSAA Superintendent:      Mike Manthey

Golf Shop:  651/457-1224

Website:  www.somersetcountryclub.org

 

FORMAT/QUALIFYING PLACES: Format is 36-holes, stroke play. The field of contestants will compete for qualifying places and two alternate positions in the 81st U.S. Women’s Open Championship Presented by Ally to be played June 4-7, at The Riviera Country Club, Pacific Palisades, California.  The number of qualifying spots is as follows:

 

Spots:             1             Alternates:               2         

 

PLAYOFF: In the event of a tie for the qualifying position and/or the 1st and 2nd alternate position, there will be a hole-by-hole playoff to determine the final results. All announcements regarding the play-off, including the holes to be used, will be made at the scoring area upon completion of the qualifying round.

 

ELECTRONIC SCORING: The official method of scoring will be electronic by use of the Golf Genius Mobile App.  Paper scorecards WILL NOT provided to players for the purpose of scoring.  Players should review the printed and video educational information posted on the Qualifying webpage to be prepared for this process.  Also, players should make sure their mobile devices are fully charged prior to beginning play and to have charging cables for use between rounds.

 

Click HERE for VIDEO & WRITTEN INSTRUCTIONS

 

COURSE SETUP: Play will be from the USGA tee markers.  Please refer to the “Course Setup” found under the Rules/Resources tab on the Qualifying webpage.

 

USGA TERMS OF COMPETITION: Are in effect and may be found at the Qualifying webpage.


ONE-BALL RULE: Model Local Rule G-4 WILL NOT be in effect for any USGA qualifying rounds.

 

GROOVES: The players’ clubs must conform to the grooves and punch mark specifications in The Rules of Golf that are effective from January 1, 2010.  Please refer to the USGA website for more detailed information.

 

PENALTY FOR MAKING A STROKE WITH CLUB IN BREACH OF CONDITION: Disqualification.

 

PING EYE 2 CLUBS: Ping EYE 2 irons manufactured prior to March 31, 1990, may not be used at any stage of Qualifying or at the Championship proper unless they have been tested and found to conform with the current groove specifications.

 

PACE OF PLAY/UNREASONABLE DELAY (RULE 5.6): Players are expected to play without delay, and groups are expected to remain in position with the group immediately in front of it.  Timing sheets showing the time by when each hole must be completed are posted on the Qualifying webpage.  Groups who fall out of position WILL BE WARNED and are subject to monitoring and timing by a Rules official.  Players are expected to play a stroke within 40 seconds of when it is their time to play.  Players who receive a bad time will be PENALIZED.  The expected pace of play is 4:28 for 18 holes.  Penalty for Breach of Rule 5.6a: First breach (Group Out of Position): Warning; Second breach: One penalty stroke; Third breach: Two penalty strokes; Fourth breach: DISQUALIFICATION.

 

DISTANCE MEASURING DEVICES: Per the USGA Terms of Competition card and the Rules of Golf, distance measuring devices ARE PERMITTED in all stages of QUALIFYING.  Please be sure any functionality that measures more than distance is disabled.

 

PRACTICE ROUND AVAILABILITY: Practice rounds are available for $75 (1st round; $125 subsequent rounds).  To schedule a practice round, please contact the Somerset Golf Shop (651/457-1224) and identify yourself as a Qualifying contestant. 

 

FOOTWEAR: Shoes with traditionally designed spikes (regardless of composition, i.e., ceramic, plastic, etc.) or spikes, regardless of design, comprised either entirely or partially of metal (if such metal may come in contact with the course) are prohibited during the stipulated round.  Penalty for breach of this condition: DISQUALIFICATION.

 

EVACUATION PLAN: In the event of a discontinuance of play during the qualifier, players must return to the Clubhouse for further instructions and updates.

 

CADDIES: Somerset will have a limited number of caddies available. Rate is $100/round plus tip. To reserve a Club caddie, you must email the Golf Shop - thegolfshop@somersetcountryclub.org. You may bring your own caddie if you wish, or you may carry your own bag or use a walking cart, including motorized. The use of motorized carts, unless specifically permitted by an Official, is prohibited during all phases of the Championship.

 

PERSONAL APPEARANCE: Contestants and caddies must be neat in appearance.  Bermuda length shorts may be worn.  Denim and blue jeans, short shorts, tee shirts, and tank tops are prohibited.  Shirts must have collars.  The Committee will decide whether this requirement has been met.  The dress code applies to the caddies as well as the players.  A player will be held responsible for the appearance of his caddie.

 

SPECTATOR CARTS: Spectator carts will be available on a very limited basis. People interested in the use of a spectator cart must provide written proof of need and will be charged the applicable cart rate. Use of the cart is limited to the person(s) covered by the written proof. Requests must go through Doug Hoffmann, the Official-in-Charge of the Qualifying (see below).

 

PRACTICE FACILITIES: The practice facilities will be open 60 minutes prior to the first starting time.

 

FOOD SERVICE: Snacks and lunches will be available for purchase for players and guests.

 

OFFICIAL-IN-CHARGE:

Douglas A. Hoffmann, MGA Rules & Competitions Director

Office:      952/345-3963

Cell:         612/964-4249

Email:       Doug@mngolf.org