In so many ways the story of the US Women’s Open over the last 25 years is like the story of women’s golf in the same period. Back in 1998 Se Ri Pak won at Blackwolf Run, a result that on its own prompted headlines but what it triggered was astounding.

In fact, what it triggered was an extraordinary amount of triggering, as lots of Korean girls were inspired to follow in Pak’s footsteps and take on the world. Perhaps the best way to visualise what happened is to think of a grand firework display. Pak was the rocket that started everything, shooting high into the sky, making everyone gasp at the heights she achieved. After a brief pause, the skies have continued to be lit up by further flashes of light, prompting more gasps of shock and delight from onlookers.

The metaphor is apt because Korean wins in the US Women’s Open have exploded much as the follow up fireworks do: there’s one we expected, and another, then boom! Who saw that one coming. Bang! Where did that come from. Crash! There’s another behind you.