1976

Mrs. JoAnne Carner, who won the Championship in 1971, defeated Miss Sandra Palmer, the defending Champion, 76 to 78, in an 18-hole playoff after both had scored eight-over-par 292 at the Rolling Green Golf Club, Springfield, Delaware County, Pa. It was the first playoff since 1964 and only the fourth since 1953, when the USGA first conducted the Championship.

Miss Jane Blalock was third at 296 and Miss Susie McAllister was fourth with 297. Miss Beth King, of Bernville, Pa., was low amateur at 303. A record was set when another amateur, Miss Nancy Porter of Cinnaminson, N.J., made a hole-in-one on the 135-yard 16th hole the second day; this was only the fourth hole-in-one in the Championship's history—and Miss Porter made two of them. Miss Connie Chillemi led after the first round with a two-under-par 69, one of only four sub-par scores in the four rounds. Tied for second were Miss Palmer, who had 74.

Miss Pat Bradley was third at 145. Miss Chillemi, just 18 years old, shot 84 and Mrs. Crocker scored 80. Mrs. Carner shot 77 in the third round, her worst round of the year, and lost the lead to Miss Palmer, who had a score of 217 for 54 holes. Mrs. Carner was two strokes behind at 219. Miss Blalock moved into contention at 220. The Championship was decided between Mrs. Carner and Miss Palmer in the fourth round. Miss Blalock fell behind with 76. Mrs. Carner took the lead with pars on the first 10 holes, while Miss Palmer bogied four of the first five.

Miss Palmer caught her on the 15th, but Mrs. Carner, playing ahead of Miss Palmer, went ahead again with a birdie on the 17th. Moments later Miss Palmer also birdied. Both women scored par-5s on the 18th, forcing the playoff. Mrs. Carner shot a 73 in the fourth round, while Miss Palmer had 75. In the playoff, Mrs. Carner birdied the first hole and led by two strokes after nine holes, and by four strokes on the next three holes and fell one stroke behind Miss Palmer.

Mrs. Carner then birdied the 17th and scored a par on the 18th as Miss Palmer dropped a stroke on each. Mrs. Carner won the playoff by two strokes.

The entry reached 205 and for the first time sectional qualifying was required to reduce the field to the 150 starters. Sectional qualifying was conducted at three locations. Prize money totaled $60,000, a record.