This week the best players in women's golf are vying for one of the oldest and most prestigious titles in the game, The U.S. Women's Open Championship.
In its debut as Major Championship venue, the Old Course at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, NJ will be playing to 6,732-yards and the par-72 layout is ready to present a stern test. With huge greens and tee boxes, wide fairways, and sprawling bunkers, the Tom Fazio design will certainly deliver the most thorough examination of golfing skill and mental toughness in the women's game.
One player who can't wait to put her game to the test on this new U.S. Open venue is defending champion and Titleist golf ball loyalist Brittany Lang (Pro V1x).
“Last year was an amazing experience,” Lang said. “And after being here and seeing how pretty this place is it’s going to be spectacular. It will be a fun week to defend.”
At CordeValle GC in 2016, Lang prevailed in a three-hole aggregate playoff, parring all three holes for a three-shot margin of victory in claiming her first major championship title.
Lang's game is ideally suited to U.S. Open competition. The 31-year-old made a big splash to start her U.S. Women’s Open career, finishing T-2 as an amateur in 2005 at Cherry Hills Country Club. She has made every cut at the U.S. Women’s Open for a decade, and has two other top-10 finishes in addition to her playoff victory last year.
The more demanding the conditions are this week at Trump National, the better Lang likes her chances.
“I play with more of a conservative strategy,” she said. “I don’t hit it at every pin, which isn’t always great in day-to-day golf, where girls are making a lot of birdies. But I hit it long and straight off the tee. I have a nice, high iron game. I’m good at hitting it in fairways and getting on greens, and my putting has come so far the last few years.”
Winning the U.S. Open was a dream come true for Lang, who describes the competition as "my ultimate golf tournament."
“It’s the biggest test of the year for us and the biggest event in women’s golf,” Lang added. "I always feel like at the U.S. Open if you hit quality shots you’re rewarded, and I just enjoy that. I’m just thankful that I’m going to be able to play, just the highlight of my year.”
To see just how sincere her esteem for the U.S. Women's Open is, you only have to visit Lang's home in McKinney, Texas. The Harton S. Semple Trophy has sat on the breakfast bar in the middle of her kitchen since she first brought the award home. Lang's husband, Kevin Spann, offered to build her a trophy case, but she declined.
“People would laugh,” Lang said. “They would ask me, ‘Why don’t you put it in a safe place?’ But I liked seeing it every time I was home. I like it right here.”
Best of luck in defending your title, Brittany, and good luck to all of Team Titleist this week in New Jersey!
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