Hollis Stacy, 23, led all four rounds at the Hazeltine National Golf Club, Chaska, Minn., and won her fourth USGA Championship. Miss Stacy had a 72-hole score of 292 and won by two strokes over Nancy Lopez, with 294. JoAnne Carner was third with 295. All three were former Girls' Junior Champions. (Miss Stacy had won three consecutive Girls' Juniors from 1969 through 1971).

After the first round, Miss Stacey led by two strokes with 70, the only sub-par round of the day. Tied for second at even par 72 were Jan Stephenson, Jane Blalock, Joyce Kazmierski, and Amy Alcott, also a former Girls' Junior Champion. Miss Stacy added 73 in the second round to lead by two strokes with 143 after 36 holes.

Miss Lopez, playing her first tournament as a professional, moved into second place with a second-round 72 and a total of 145. Mrs. Carner also had 72 for a 146 total and third place. At the end of the third round Miss Stacy's lead was cut to one stroke when she shot 75 for 218.

Jan Stephenson moved back into contention with an even par 72 for 219. Miss Lopez remained two behind at 220, and Mrs. Carner was four strokes behind at 222. In the final round both Miss Stacy and Miss Lopez shot 74 and Mrs. Carner shot 73. Miss Stephenson dropped behind with 79 and finished in a tie for fourth place at 298.

Miss Beth Daniel, of Charleston, S.C., was the low amateur with a total of 308. Later in the year she won the Women's Amateur. The entry reached 197, and again regional qualifying determined the 150 players for the Championship proper. A total of $75,000 was awarded in prize money, a record.