| Tournament information | |
|---|---|
| Dates | June 29 – July 2, 1972 |
| Location | Mamaroneck, New York |
| Course(s) | Winged Foot Golf Club, East Course |
| Organized by | USGA |
| Tour(s) | LPGA Tour |
| Format | Stroke play – 72 holes |
| Statistics | |
| Par | 72 |
| Length | 6,226 yards (5,693 m)[1] |
| Field | 150 players, 53 after cut[2] |
| Cut | 161 (+17) |
| Prize fund | $40,000 |
| Winner's share | $6,000 |
| Champion | |
 Susie Berning | |
| 299 (+11) | |
The 1972 U.S. Women's Open was the 27th U.S. Women's Open, held June 29 to July 2 at the East Course of Winged Foot Golf Club in Mamaroneck, New York.
Susie Berning won the second of her three U.S. Women's Open titles, a stroke ahead of runners-up Kathy Ahern, Pam Barnett, and Judy Rankin.[3] Berning opened with a 79 (+7) and started the final round at 228 (+12), four strokes behind 54-hole leader Barnett.[2][4] Berning carded a one-under 71 for the third of her four major wins. Defending champion JoAnne Carner finished at 312 (+24), thirteen strokes back.[3]
With a winner's share of $6,000, the 1972 edition was the first to exceed that of the inaugural championship in 1946, the only one conducted as a match play event. The course conditions at Winged Foot were soft, affected by the recent heavy rains of tropical storm Agnes, originally a hurricane.[1][5] Two-time champion Louise Suggs made the cut at age 48.
The championship was previously held at the East Course in 1957; the adjacent West Course has hosted many major championships.
- ^ a b "Surprising Shirley tops women's golf". Spokesman-Review. Associated Press. June 30, 1972. p. 23.
- ^ a b "Pam Barnett's 75 takes Open lead". Spokesman-Review. Associated Press. July 2, 1972. p. 1, sports.
- ^ a b "Finishing 71 brings victory to Susie Maxwell Berning". Spokesman-Review. Associated Press. July 3, 1972. p. 10.
- ^ "Marriage great for new champ of Women's Open". The Bulletin. Bend, Oregon. UPI. July 3, 1972. p. 6.
- ^ "Englehorn stays in front, but her lead falls to one". Eugene Register-Guard. Associated Press. July 1, 1972. p. 5B.