Girls’s US Open: Main tees off with file purse, iconic venue and breakout stars

A pregnant Amy Olson walks the course


Amy Olson is “trying not to put too much pressure or expectation” on the Women’s US Open

The Women’s US Open starts on Thursday and the third major of season boasts an iconic venue, record purse and intriguing storylines.

The purse is $11m (£8.7m), an increase from last year’s $10m (£7.9m), with the winner getting $2m (£1.6m) – matching the biggest payout in women’s golf.

Players are also making headlines as 2014 champion Michelle Wie West announced this is her final tournament.

And American Amy Olson will tee off at Pebble Beach seven months pregnant.

Olson told the LPGA Tour website: “I started texting like every mum on the PGA Tour going, ‘how long did you play? At what point did you stop?’ And I was hearing that the max is kind of right around 28 to 32 weeks, depending on how you carry, who you are.

“I computed that at the US Women’s Open, I will have just completed 30 weeks. I’m like, ‘OK, it’s possible’. I’m hearing that it’s doable. It’s Pebble Beach of all things. So I’m like,…