The AIG Women’s Open at St Andrews is lined up to present numerous complex subplots in its latest edition, with a record prize fund of €8 million. Additionally, the finalisation of the Solheim Cup teams is anticipated at the championship’s end.
Among the competitors in the field are three Irish participants: Leona Maguire, rookie Lauren Walsh, and Stephanie Meadow. Maguire’s spot in Europe’s team for the upcoming match in Virginia is already secure, however, she is aiming to enhance her form as she strives for her first Major title.
However, her performance in this year’s Majors has been less than satisfactory: failing to make the cut at the Chevron, the US Open and the Evian, with her best result being a tie-24th at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship. Additionally, she wasn’t on peak form at the recent Olympics due to illness, finishing 59th from a field of 60 players.
With the Majors having one tournament more than the men’s circuit, Maguire has one last chance this season to make her mark at the historic Old Course, where winds during the opening round may reach speeds exceeding 30 mph.
R&A’s chief executive, Martin Slumbers mentioned the possibility of play delays, yet expressed confidence in handling the situation and believes that top players appreciate such challenges, hoping that the strong winds won’t halt the tournament.
In a bid to prevent play interruptions, the greens have been watered and a higher cut has been made to the putting surfaces (potentially leading to slower speeds of 9 on the stimpmetre) to prevent the balls from moving and causing a suspensions in play. Particular attention is given to the 10th to 12th holes which are more exposed.
Maguire alongside other players will have to adapt to possible inclement weather, with an expected reduction in wind speeds over the weekend.
Maguire is all set to make her 31st Major appearance and her eighth endeavour in the AIG Women’s Open, having achieved her highest position of fourth at the Muirfield event in 2022. Walsh, a 23-year-old rookie from Kildare playing on the Ladies European Tour, will take part in her first Major. Her entry into the 144-player tournament resulted from her current standing in the form order of merit on the LET. Meadow obtained her spot as well through successful pre-championship final qualifying at Crail Links earlier this week.
Current world number one, Nelly Korda, having a tough phase recently after missing the cut thrice consecutively post her American Open victory, is hoping to regain her early season form. A recent family visit to Prague was seen as an opportunity to reset. She is determined to enjoy playing at the Old Course despite expected high winds, citing a preference for its more creative side of golf.
McIlroy and Lowry will be participating in the BMW Championship at Castle Pines Golf Club in Castle Rock, Colorado. This event is a precursor to the final FedEx Cup playoffs. The former’s performance has been inconsistent since his falter at the US Open in June, showing extreme contrasts of missing a cut at the 152nd Open at Troon and a dismal tied-68th position in St Jude Classic as compared to top-five achievements in the Scottish Open and the Olympics. Currently ranked fifth in the FedEx Cup, McIlroy will look to capitalise on the weighted points available at Castle Pines to close in on top ranker Scottie Scheffler. Lowry, ranked 11th, is also assured of a spot in the Tour Championship, to which only the top 30 in standing proceed.
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