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U.S. Women's Open 2020: Amy Olson suffers tragic loss amid her bid to win major title

December 13, 2020
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Vaughn Ridley

HOUSTON — When Amy Olson resumes her pursuit of a U.S. Women’s Open title on Monday morning, she’ll do so with a heavy heart.

On Saturday night, Olson’s father-in-law, Lee Olson, died suddenly and unexpectedly. The news was first reported by Golfweek and confirmed to Golf Digest by the LPGA on Olson’s behalf.

Olson’s husband, Grant, who played football at the couple's alma mater, North Dakota State, where he currently is the linebackers coach, had traveled to Champions Golf Club this weekend as his wife moved into contention. The 28-year-old, who is looking for her first career victory in her seventh year on the LPGA Tour, is one stroke off the lead of Japan’s Hinako Shibuno with 18 holes to play.

Grant Olson, who married Amy in 2017, returned home on Sunday night to be with his mom and brother, an LPGA official confirmed.

While Amy Olson, who recorded an NCAA-record 20 wins at NDSU, has yet to win as a professional, she has come close on multiple occasions. Two years ago, she played in the final group of two majors, the ANA Inspiration and Evian Championship, only to finish T-9 and T-2, the latter coming after a double bogey on the 72nd hole as she went from leading by one to losing by one.

The U.S. Women's Open final round was suspended shortly after 9 a.m. local time on Sunday, less than 30 minutes before Olson was set to tee off with Shibuno and Moriya Jutanugarn in the day’s final group. Play never resumed, and 3½ hours later the round was suspended for the rest of the day and is scheduled to resume at 8 a.m. local time Monday.