A look back at the 1998 and 2012 U.S. Women’s Opens in Wisconsin, including dramatic putts

• The U.S. Women’s Open returns to Wisconsin for the third time, hosted at Erin Hills.
• Blackwolf Run in Kohler previously hosted the tournament in 1998 and 2012.
• Se Ri Pak won the 1998 tournament in a dramatic sudden-death playoff.

Major golf championships are back on Wisconsin soil.

The state will host the 80th United States Women’s Open this week at Erin Hills, the third time that major has been in Wisconsin.

Here is a look back at the previous two, which were both played at Blackwolf Run in Kohler.

1998: Se Ri Pak’s dramatic U.S. Women’s Open victory at Blackwolf Run

When was it? It was scheduled from July 2-5, 1998, but then needed another day.

What happened? Well, only one of the most tension-filled finishes ever in a golf major. The gallery of 8,000 fans at Blackwolf Run in Kohler got to see Se Ri Pak and Jenny Chuasiriporn − both 20 years old − battle in an 18-hole playoff and then two sudden-death extra holes. So with the 72 holes during the first four days, the duo were on the course for 92.

Pak became the youngest U.S. Women’s Open winner when she knocked in a 15-foot birdie putt on No. 11. It was the first sudden-death playoff in U.S. Women’s Open history.

Inbee Park (2008) and Yuka Saso (2021) have since become the youngest U.S. Women’s Open winners − interestingly both at 19 years, 11 months and 17 days.

How much did Pak win? She claimed $267,500 of the $1.5 million purse. Chuasiriporn did not receive any prize money as an amateur. She was a golfer at Duke University.

According to the USGA, the 2025 purse is $12 million, the highest in women’s golf.

What they said: “I really had a sixth-sense feeling she was going to make it,” Chuasiriporn said about watching Pak line up the winning putt.

It was Pak’s second major that year after winning the LPGA McDonald’s Championship.

“I want to win every tournament,” she said.

Memorable moments: Take your pick of many with this tournament.

On the 18th playoff hole, with both golfers at 1-over, Pak pulled a drive that rolled on the edge of a water hazard. She took off her socks and shoes to get in the water and hit a shot that gave her life. Chuasiriporn then missed a par putt that would have given her the victory, leading to the sudden-death playoff.

Perhaps lost in all the other big shots, Chuasiriporn had a 40-foot putt on No. 18 in the final round that allowed her to catch Pak and force the 18-hole playoff.

Face in the crowd: Former U.S. President George Bush followed the twosome over their final few holes.

Postscript: Pak was on the LPGA tour until 2016. She won 25 times on the tour and claimed five major titles. The dramatic victory at Blackwolf Run is credited with starting the Korean women’s golf boom.

Chuasiriporn’s story is interesting. She led Duke to the 1999 NCAA golf title and finished college as a four-time All-American. She struggled on mini-tours as a professional and then walked away from the sport after a few years. When the U.S. Women’s Open returned in Blackwolf Run in 2012, Chuasiriporn was found by the Journal Sentinel working happily as a registered nurse in Virginia.

2012: Na Yeon Choi wins in return of U.S. Women’s Open to Blackwolf Run

When was it: July 5-8, 2012.

What happened? Na Yeon Choi bared down on the back nine of the final round to pull away for a four-shot victory over fellow Korean Amy Yang. They were the only two golfers to finish under par.

Pak, then 34 and one of 10 golfers who competed in both the 1998 and 2012 at Blackwolf Run, finished tied for ninth despite a shoulder injury that hampered her that year.

How much did Choi win? She claimed $550,000 of the $3.25 million purse.

What they said: “I really want to say to all the fans and crowd out there they really did a good job,” Choi said. “And one more thing: I think I was really calm out there. I think I am really proud of myself, too.”

Memorable moment: Choi was teetering on No. 10 in the final round. She hit her tee shot into a hazard and finished with a triple-bogey 8. That cut her lead from five strokes to two.

But the 24-year-old bounced back with a birdie on the next hole and cruised from there.

Interesting tidbit: At the 2012 U.S. Women’s Open, fans were allowed to bring cell phones onto the grounds for the first time at a USGA event.

Postscript: This was Choi’s lone major win, though she did have nine victories on the LPGA tour. Now 37, Choi still pops up at golf events.