U.S. Women’s Open special exemptions are always coveted – especially at a place like Pebble Beach. See which players received one recently and who might in 2023

Entries open for the 78th U.S. Women’s Open at Pebble Beach next Wednesday, which means the most highly-anticipated women’s golf event of the year is drawing near. Golf fans get to watch the men compete every year at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, as well as the occasional U.S. Open, but July 5-9 will be the first time the best females in the world take on the iconic course.

Once entries open, players also have the chance to apply for a special exemption. Those are few and far between, of course. Patty Berg received the first special exemption back in 1977, as well as ones in 1978 and 1979.

Juli Inkster is also a three-time recipient, landing special exemptions in 1983, 1994 and 2013. It’s doubtful that Inkster, a two-time USWO winner who hails from Northern California, would get a fourth exemption, but don’t be surprised to see the 62-year-old try to qualify.

Paula Creamer and Cristie Kerr received special exemptions in 2021 at The Olympic Club. It would be surprising to see either player receive a second one.

Annika Sorenstam would be a no-brainer to receive a special exemption. The three-time USWO winner has never asked for a special exemption. She played last year at Pine Needles after earning her way in with victory at the 2021 U.S. Senior Women’s Open.

Sorenstam, of course, came up short at last year’s USSWO and said that she didn’t plan to play as much in 2023. She would have to officially request the exemption for Pebble (which the USGA would certainly green-light), but hasn’t yet decided.

Rose Zhang, a former U.S. Women’s Amateur champion, is exempt into the USWO after winning the Mark H. McCormack Medal for top amateur a third time. However, should the Stanford player choose to turn professional after the NCAA Championship, she would no longer be exempt. Zhang could always go through qualifying, but it’s worth noting that Michelle Wie West received a special exemption both as an amateur and a young professional before joining the LPGA.

Inkster, a three-time U.S. Women’s Amateur champion, also received her first special exemption shortly after turning professional as did two-time U.S. Women’s Amateur champion Vicki Goetze-Ackerman (1993).

Laura Davies, 59, has expressed a desire to play at Pebble Beach, noting at last year’s U.S. Senior Women’s Open that she might try to qualify. Davies, winner of the 1987 USWO and 2018 U.S. Senior Women’s Open, received a special exemption in 2009. The first British player to win the championship, Davies’ victory caused the LPGA to change its constitution, giving her automatic membership.

Of course, special exemptions aren’t given out every year. From 2010 to 2012, no player received one. The same was true for 2022.

Here’s a list of of the players who received special exemptions from 2000 to 2021:

2000

Pat Bradley – 75-86, MC
Nancy Lopez – 76-74-77-75, T-46

Pat Bradley during the U.S. Women’s Open in 2000.

2001

Liselotte Neumann – 70-73-76-74, T-39

Liselotte Neumann of Sweden watches her tee shot on the 10th hole 1 June 2001 during the second round of the US Women’s Open at the Pine Needles Lodge and Golf Club in Southern Pines, North Carilina. (Photo: Erik Perel/AFP via Getty Images)

2002

Nancy Lopez – 81-79, MC

Nancy Lopez hits a shot during the first round of the U.S. Women’s Open on July 4, 2002 at Prairie Dunes Country Club in Hutchison, Kansas. (Photo By Scott Halleran/Getty Images)

2003

Betsy King – 78-80, MC

Betsy King hits a shot during the second round of the U.S. Women’s Open at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club on July 4, 2003 in North Plains, Oregon. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)

2004

Betsy King – 77-76, MC
Dottie Pepper – WD
Michelle Wie (amateur) – 71-70-71-73, T-13

Michelle Wie smiles as she looks on during the final round of the U.S. Women’s Open on July 4, 2004 at Orchards Golf Club in South Hadley, Massachusetts. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

2006

Kelly Robbins – 81-76
Michelle Wie – 70-72-71-73, T-3

Michelle Wie during the second round at Newport Country Club, site of the 2006 U. S. Women’s Open in Newport, Rhode Island, July 1. (Photo by A. Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

2009

Laura Davies – 72-75-73-72, T-17

Laura Davies looks on during the afternoon fourballs on day two of the 2011 Solheim Cup at Killeen Castle Golf Club on September 24, 2011 in Dunshaughlin, County Meath, Ireland. Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images

2013

Juli Inkster – 72-79, MC

Juli Inkster walks on the 17th green during the second round of the 2013 U.S. Women’s Open at Sebonack Golf Club on June 28, 2013 in Southampton, New York. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)

2016

Se Ri Pak – 73-80, MC

Se Ri Pak of South Korea tes off on the 17th hole during the first round of the U.S. Women’s Open at CordeValle Golf Club on July 7, 2016 in San Martin, California. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)

2018

Karrie Webb – 75-75, MC

Karrie Webb of Australia plays her tee shot on the 17th hole during a practice round prior to the 2018 U.S. Women’s Open at Shoal Creek on May 30, 2018 in Shoal Creek, Alabama. (Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images)

2019

Karrie Webb – 77-73, MC

Karrie Webb of Australia hits a tee shot on the 10th hole during the second round of the U.S. Women’s Open Championship at the Country Club of Charleston on May 31, 2019 in Charleston, South Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

2021

Paula Creamer – 75-76, MC
Cristie Kerr – 73-79, MC

Paula Creamer hits her tee shot on the 18th hole during the second round of the 76th U.S. Women’s Open Championship at The Olympic Club on June 04, 2021 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)