History hangs over The Olympic Club like the fog that frequently greets morning at this fabled San Francisco venue. Its Lake Course has been the site of the U.S. Open five times, to go along with three U.S. Amateur Championships, a U.S. Junior Amateur and a U.S. Amateur Four-Ball. Now, for the first time, the best women are competing at The Olympic Club in the 76th U.S. Women’s Open.

With its small greens, tight fairways and thick rough, the 6,486-yard, par-71 layout will be a stern test for the 126 professionals and 30 amateurs. Of those, 82 gained entry by an exemption category and 74 followed their dream through qualifiers. On Sunday, one of the 156 will hold the Harton S. Semple Trophy and join the rich history of The Olympic Club by becoming a USGA champion.

Here are 3 things to look for in Thursday’s opening round:

Waving the Flag

Since Meg Mallon completed a run of three consecutive champions born in the United States at the 2004 U.S. Women’s Open, only four of the 16 winners have been from the U.S. – and three of them are playing together the first two days at The Olympic Club. Michelle Wie West, who won at Pinehurst in 2014; Paula Creamer, who outlasted Oakmont in 2010; and Cristie Kerr, the 2007 champion at Pine Needles, comprise one of the glamour groups for the opening 36 holes.

The last American to win the U.S. Women’s Open was Brittany Lang, who took the 2016 title at CordeValle Golf Club in a three-hole playoff with Anna Nordqvist of Sweden. Since Se Ri Pak’s historic victory in the 1998 U.S. Women’s Open, 10 champions are natives of the Republic of Korea, including A Lim Kim, who won at Champions Golf Club in Houston last December.

Double the Pleasure

One of the many great things about the setup of the Lake Course at The Olympic Club for this Women’s Open is the consecutive par-5 holes at Nos. 16 and 17. They create the possibility for a lot of volatility down the stretch Sunday afternoon, with multiple-stroke swings looming on either – or both – holes.

Among the many compelling characteristics of the Lake Course is that after No. 1 there is not another par 5 until No. 16. But someone can step on that tee in the final round trailing by four strokes and still feel they have a chance to win. In fact, preceded by the 137-yard, par-3 15th hole and followed by the 326-yard, par-4 18th hole, the closing stretch on the Lake Course promises to be one of the most exciting in the history of the U.S. Women’s Open.

A Wide-Open Field

Not only have the last 12 U.S. Women’s Open Championships been won by 12 different players, this year the 11 events on the LPGA Tour have been won by 11 players. The 76th edition of this championship is truly a wide-open affair.

A Lim Kim looks to become the first woman to successfully defend her title since Karrie Webb in 2001. A third victory by Inbee Park would move her into a tie with Annika Sorenstam, Babe Zaharias, Hollis Stacy and Susie Berning for third all-time, behind the four titles won by Mickey Wright and Betsy Rawls. And Rolex Rankings No. 1 Jin Young Ko is trying to add the U.S. Women’s Open to the majors she won in 2019, at the ANA Inspiration and the Evian Championship.

It all starts Thursday on the Lake Course at The Olympic Club.

Ron Sirak is a Massachusetts-based freelance writer who frequently contributes to USGA digital channels.