Oakmont has repeatedly revealed champions of exceptional precision and mental resilience. While its legacy is often tied to PGA legends, it has also etched the names of two remarkable women: Paula Creamer and Patty Sheehan.
Paula Creamer’s Unforgettable Victory in 2010
Creamer, often affectionately known as the “Pink Panther,” delivered a career-defining performance at Oakmont in 2010. It was the U.S. Women’s Open, one of the most coveted prizes in the sport, and Creamer came in with high expectations and a share of pressure.
Having undergone thumb surgery earlier that year, there were questions about her readiness. Yet, she silenced all doubts with a masterclass in focus and execution.
Over four grueling rounds, Creamer displayed nerves of steel and a level of patience rare for such a taxing course. Her putting was consistent, her ball-striking disciplined, and her demeanor unshakeable.
She ultimately claimed a four-shot victory ahead of Na Yeon Choi and Suzann Pettersen. This would be her first (and only) major championship. One that stood as a symbol of perseverance and grace under fire. The win at Oakmont elevated Creamer’s profile and cemented her place in golf history.
“I’ve always thought of my career as I’ve always been a pretty solid player, but that question always lurked: How come you never won a major?” Creamer said. “And now we have, and we never get to get asked that question again.”
Patty Sheehan’s Oakmont Legacy
Years before Creamer’s breakthrough, Sheehan had already written her name into Oakmont’s ledger of champions. A Hall of Famer and six-time major winner, Sheehan’s success at Oakmont in 1992 came during an era when opportunities for women to compete on golf’s most iconic courses were few and far between.
Her ability to tame Oakmont was a testament to her cerebral approach to the game. Known for her controlled swing and sharp short game, Sheehan succeeded not by overpowering the course, but by out-thinking it.
“After falling short in heartbreaking fashion multiple times at the U.S. Women’s Open, including squandering a 12-stroke lead in 1990, Sheehan defeated another Hall of Famer, Juli Inkster, in an 18-hole playoff,” a Golf Weekly article stated.
According to the LPGA, “She was the first woman to win a major event at Oakmont.”
Her victory showcased her remarkable strategic acumen. Oakmont, with its lightning-fast greens and penal rough, demands a level of precision and mental toughness that few players can sustain over four rounds.
“It certainly was something that I’d always wanted to do is to win the U.S. Open, and it was always so difficult because it’s the hardest golf course we play all year long,” Sheehan said.
However, Sheehan proved she could not only endure that test but conquer it, doing so in a way that earned the respect of peers and fans alike. For many, she set the blueprint for how a player–particularly a woman–could thrive on golf’s most daunting terrain.
Oakmont’s Equal Challenge
What makes these victories so compelling is the setting. Oakmont is often referred to as one of the purest tests in golf. There are no water hazards, but the course doesn’t need them. The challenge lies in the layout, the speed of the greens, and the punishing nature of every mistake.
For a long time, Oakmont was primarily associated with the men’s game, hosting numerous U.S. Opens that produced iconic moments from players like Ben Hogan, Johnny Miller, and Dustin Johnson.
In fact, the 125th men’s U.S. Open at Oakmont concluded on Sunday with J.J. Spaun winning his first major title.
But when Creamer and Sheehan hoisted their trophies there, they shifted the narrative. They proved that the course’s challenges are not gendered. That greatness can be achieved regardless of who is holding the club.
Their victories resonated beyond the final leaderboard. They opened doors for more women’s majors to be hosted at venues previously reserved for men, a trend that has gained momentum in the years since.
A Legacy That Echoes Forward
As the 2025 U.S. Open concludes, it’s a fitting time to look back and appreciate what these two LPGA stars accomplished on one of golf’s grandest stages. Their wins were not just personal milestones; they were transformative moments for the sport.
Oakmont remains a brutal, beautiful challenge. But thanks to Paula Creamer and Patty Sheehan, it is also a place where women’s greatness has not only been witnessed–it has been celebrated.
With the Spotlight on Oakmont, Let’s Talk About the Women Who Won There