United States Women S Open Golf Tournament

EDINA, Minn. When Dieter Esch began looking at the players on the LPGA Tour, he quickly figured out that something was missing. He sensed they always appeared out of place . . . swinging nine-irons, hitting out of bunkers, putting cross-handed on the green. So Esch decided it would be a great idea to put the golfers in something different, something the casual public does not see them in, at least up to now. Like bikinis. Like lingerie. Like evening gowns.

EDINA, Minn. -- Four years ago, the player who is leading the U.S. Women's Open wasn't sure whether her golf career was going to even happen. Back surgery for scoliosis can make a person wonder about a lot, but 23-year-old Stacy Lewis is answering all the questions so far.

EDINA, Minn. -- The youngest U.S. Women's Open winner in history introduced herself to the record books and a largely unknowing public as the tournament's 63rd champion Sunday, when Inbee Park walked softly over Interlachen Country Club to claim her first victory and her first major title. Only 19, and inspired to take up golf by fellow South Korean Se Ri Pak's landmark U.S. Open victory in 1998, Park broke out of a pack of Parks -- she was one of six who played here -- and won easily.

She's the best female golfer since Patty Berg. Maybe the best ever. But Annika Sorenstam hasn't won a U.S. Women's Open in 10 years. "After winning in '96, the first few years after that, I put a lot of pressure on myself," said Sorenstam, who begins play in the Open today at Newport Country Club. "I felt like I came out, won two in a row and thought, 'Wow. I've got this. It's a great championship.' "I came out and expected the same thing, and it never happened. I felt like I beat up on myself.

This might be as close as golf gets to a doubleheader. The United States Golf Assn. said Monday that the U.S. Open and U.S. Women's Open will be held over consecutive weeks in 2014 at Pinehurst No. 2, the first time in golf that women have a chance to share the stage with the men. "It's a big opportunity," said USGA Executive Director David Fay. "I really do think this will generate some buzz for women's golf and the Women's Open. And I think a lot of people will take advantage." The U.S.

There's no denying this is the biggest week in women's golf -- full of good news and bad. The game's top-ranked player, a former champion and a developmental tour qualifier are one stroke behind a talented second-year LPGA player at the U.S. Women's Open, on a course that doesn't yield birdies easily.

Mickey Mouse was listening to Eminem on her iPod as she warmed up on the practice putting green Sunday morning. Candie Kung walked by and made note of the familiar scene. "Did you sleep here last night?" Kung asked. Eun Hee Ji (a.k.a. Mickey Mouse) said, no, she didn't spend that much time on the green, but seemed always to run into Kung for some reason. Kung was at the practice green again later, waiting as Ji made the definitive putt of the women's golf season.