The 1996 U.S. Women's Open was the 51st U.S. Women's Open, held May 30 to June 2 at Pine Needles Lodge and Golf Club in Southern Pines, North Carolina. Defending champion Annika Sörenstam retained the title, six strokes ahead of runner-up Kris Tschetter. It was the second of her ten major titles; her third came nearly five years later. ESPN and NBC Sports televised the tournament. This was the first women's major with a winner's share of $200,000 or more; the U.S. Women's Open became the tour's richest major this year, passing the LPGA Championship.