Czech golf has reason to celebrate. Klára Davidson Spilková secured her spot in the 80th U.S. Women’s Open by winning the qualifier in Milan on April 29. She joins fellow Czech golfer Hana Ryšková, who had already earned her place in the field, and together they will become the first Czech duo ever to compete in the most prestigious women’s golf tournament in the world.
In the history of the U.S. Women’s Open, Czech players have qualified before. Jana Peterková in 2005 and 2007, and amateur Jessica Korda in 2008 and 2009.
Hana Ryšková had already qualified for this year’s championship after her victory at the 2023 U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship. Klára Davidson Spilková will now become only the second Czech player to appear in the U.S. Women’s Open more than once (she first qualified in 2018).
Qualifying events for the U.S. Women’s Open Presented by Ally are being held at 23 locations across the United States and one each in Canada, Japan, and Italy, from April 15 to May 13. Each qualifier is contested over 36 holes in a single day.
The only European qualifying event this year took place at Golf Club Ambrosiano in Milan, where stars from the Ladies European Tour and 16 amateurs teed it up to earn a spot in the championship.
Klára Davidson Spilková competed against nearly sixty players, including fellow Czech professionals Sára Kousková and Kristýna Napoleaová, all fighting for just two available spots. The field featured 42 professionals, including 29 LET members.
Tournament organizers listed the three Czech players among the pre-qualifying favorites, alongside notable names such as Bronte Law, Pia Babnik, Marta Martin, Alessandra Fanali, Kim Metraux, and Maha Haddioui.
After the opening round, both Klára Davidson Spilková and Sára Kousková were near the top of the leaderboard. Kousková was one shot off the lead after 18 holes, with Davidson Spilková another shot back. Kristýna Napoleaová withdrew from the event.
In the second round, the two remaining Czech players switched roles. While Kousková matched her first-round score of two under par, falling just two strokes short of qualifying, Davidson Spilková delivered the best round of the entire field — a five-under-par performance — and held onto a share of first place through the finish. With two qualifying spots available, she earned one alongside Slovenia’s Pia Babnik.
“I’m thrilled, grateful, and happy — though I already had a good feeling as we headed to Italy,” said Davidson Spilková in a press release. “That intuition proved right today on the course. It was tough, playing 36 holes straight is never easy, but I managed to stay positive all day, and I’m really proud of my game. It’s hard to describe the feeling. The U.S. Women’s Open is a major I’ve always dreamed of playing again. It’s also, in a good way, the most difficult of all the women’s majors, and completely different from what we’re used to in Europe. I can’t wait.”
“I’ve been checking out Erin Hills for a few weeks now. It’s an inland links-style course, a layout I really enjoy and one that could suit my game. Everyone who has played there says it’s phenomenal. Winning the qualifier will probably change my upcoming schedule, but that’s something I’ll discuss with my team. I also really hope my husband Sean will be on the bag as my caddie and he probably won’t be the only one traveling with me to the States. We’re both looking forward to reconnecting with our LPGA friends, and I think going back to the U.S. after two years will be really special. And having Hanka Ryšková there too, it’ll be a dream come true for all of us.”
Although all five women’s major championships carry prestige, the U.S. Women’s Open is widely considered the crown jewel of the season. Here’s what’s at stake at the 80th edition of the championship, to be held at Erin Hills in Erin, Wisconsin, from May 26 to June 1:
U.S. Women’s Open PQ results can be found here.
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The Mickey Wright Medal, named after one of the game’s greatest legends and a four-time U.S. Women’s Open champion. The medal was introduced in 2020.
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The largest purse in women’s golf — last year’s winner took home $2.4 million.
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The Harton S. Semple Trophy (one-year possession).
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The right to start in ten U.S. Women’s Open.
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Exemptions into the other four women’s majors — the Chevron Championship, AIG Women’s Open, KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, and Amundi Evian Championship.
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The winner’s name inscribed on the 2025 USGA Champions Plaque, displayed in the Hall of Champions at the USGA Museum in Liberty Corner, New Jersey.
Author: Tomáš Přikryl (www.cgf.cz)