What a U.S. Women’s Open Exemption Means for Yani Tseng

If you love a good redemptions story, look no further than Yani Tseng.

Nearly two decades ago, the now 37-year-old was at the height of her LPGA domination, collecting major wins (five in four years to be exact) and accolades like Player of the Year...twice. She maintained her World No. 1 ranking for more than two consecutive years and was easily the most formidable player in the early 2010s.

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But as her career drew on, Tseng battled injuries and the mental strain that comes along with them, and eventually her game fell into an unshakable slump.

From October 2018 to August 2025, Tseng hadn't even made a cut—something that a lot of players at her age and of her caliber would walk away from—but not Yani. See that's the thing about players like her. She knows what the top feels like, and she'll stop at nothing to feel that euphoria again.

Players who have dominated in this game: Scottie, Annika, Rory, Tiger, Nelly...Yani, know how to pull themselves up, and late last fall, Tseng finally got to know the sweet taste of victory again, in front of her home crowd.

She conquered the LET's Wistron Ladies Open at Sunrise Golf and Country Club in Taoyuan, Taiwan to put her back in the winner's circle for the first time in over a decade.

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A win like that, with her loved ones surrounding her, is exactly the kind of thing that Tseng needed, and her redemption arc is only just beginning. The world of golf knows her impact, which is exactly why the USGA has extended her an exemption into the 81st U.S. Women's Open at Riviera in June.

Tseng qualified for her first USWO in nine years. She missed the cut that week only by a stroke, but to have her presence there was special, and we get to see her once more, and that's not something she takes lightly.

"Receiving this special exemption to the U.S. Women’s Open means so much to me," said Tseng regarding the announcement. "This championship has always held a special place in my heart, and I’m incredibly grateful to the USGA for the opportunity to compete again on one of the game’s biggest stages. Riviera is such an iconic venue, and I’m excited to test my game there and be part of what I know will be an unforgettable week."

Tseng has never won the coveted U.S. Open title...and what a comeback that would be.