Erin Hills is all set to host the 80th U.S. Women’s Open, a course that requires you to be patient while navigating its challenging layout. Brooks Koepka, who won his first major tournament on the very same course in 2017, described it as “a fun course to play” but also warned players of walking away with big numbers. The links-style layout, playing at 6,835 yards, will make it one of the longest ever used for the tournament.
While players like Nelly Korda and Lexi Thompson will be able to conquer the length, the unpredictable winds, hilly terrain, and firm greens will require them to be precise to be in contention for the title. But players might also have to adapt and realign their strategies based on the weather forecast for the first round.
2025 US Women’s Open: Round 1 weather forecast
The general forecast for the tournament sees some concern about cloudy and rainy conditions on the first day. The weather forecast, according to Accuweather.com, shows a warmer day than usual but passing showers are predicted. While players who tee off in the morning may be privy to cloudy and breezy weather, with wind gusts up to 50 km/h, there is also 68% probability of rain coupled with thunderstorms.
The rain might favour the ball to stay put on the firm greens, but it can be a challenge for players in terms of distance off the tee and their ability to hold on to slippery grips. The afternoon might seem a bit more favorable with a lesser chance of rain — 55% — and will see periods of sunny weather from time to time. Players might be exposed to more humidity and warmth during the latter half of the day. Overall, the sky will be overcast, with cloud cover being at 83%. While top players are exposed to playing in different weather conditions, even a slight chance of rain can do some damage to the scores.
The course, being a natural links-style layout, has wide fairways but also deep bunkers strategically placed, and with the challenging weather conditions as predicted might even leave top players like Nelly Korda and Lexi Thompson dumbfounded. Both of the players, who finished tied 14th at the last major, the Chevron Championship, are looking forward to claiming the title.
While Erin Hills might be a suitable course for Korda because of her overall game, she will need to stay focused and mentally locked in to avoid flashbacks from her 2024 U.S Women’s Open round, where she missed the cut. Lexi Thompson, who hasn’t let her competitive spirit fade even in her part-time status, will need to be cautious around the greens, but length will not pose a challenge to her, even in the wet conditions. But this isn’t the first time a major champion has seen predictions of rain.
Similar weather experiences in the past
In 2018, when the U.S. Women’s Open was hosted at Shoal Creek, they experienced a soggy start to the tournament. The start of the week saw heavy rainfall that forced the tournament officials to cancel the practice round for the day. While play resumed eventually, the ground was waterlogged, and the course saw many GURs being marked. The tournament had to implement the lift, clean, and replace rule because players frequently found mud balls during their rounds.
This was not the only tournament that has experienced such conditions — the 2017 Women’s U.S. Open, the 2021 Evian Championship, and the 2024 AIG Women’s Open Championship are some of the many that have also seen wet conditions in the past. Golf, being an outdoor sport, frequently sees weather conditions that make play challenging for even the top players in the world.
With forecasts showing more of the same for Round 2—clouds, mild wind, and slightly warmer temperatures—the first 36 holes could come down to mental resilience and precise shot-making rather than sheer ball-striking prowess. For Korda and Thompson, who both come into the week as favorites to contend, the cloudy skies at Erin Hills may not be disastrous—but they are a factor. Whether that factor becomes a footnote or a headline will depend on how they adapt.
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