The U.S. Women’s Open often is regarded as one of the most challenging events in the sport of bowling, featuring a 56-game marathon on demanding playing conditions to determine the finalists and winner of the coveted green jacket.

Competitors at the U.S. Women’s Open bowl 32 qualifying games over four days before the field is cut to the top 24 players for round-robin match play. At the conclusion of match play, 56-game totals, including 30 bonus pins for each win in match play, determine the players advancing to the stepladder finals.

Participants earn their spots primarily through invitations based on their on-lane performances during the previous year. Players also can earn their spot through a pre-tournament qualifier before the start of the tournament.