Picture by THE R&A
FIVE of golf’s most famous UK venues – including St Andrews, the Home of Golf – will host the AIG Women’s Open over the next five years, the R&A has announced.
The R&A has underlined its commitment to enhancing the AIG Women’s Open’s status as a leading major sporting event by taking the blue riband event to five world-class venues, including three that regularly host The Open Championship.
The future venues are:–
- 2021 – Carnoustie
- 2022 – Muirfield
- 2023 – Walton Heath
- 2024 – St Andrews
- 2025 – Royal Porthcawl
Muirfield, Walton Heath and Royal Porthcawl will be hosting the women’s major championship for the first time.
Muirfield has a prestigious history of hosting major championships, having held The Open on 16 occasions.
It also hosted the Curtis Cup – between the USA and Great Britain and Ireland – in 1952 and 1984 as well as the Vagliano Trophy, between GB&I and Europe, in 1963 and 1975.
Walton Heath was the venue for the 1981 Ryder Cup, and staged the Senior Open and the 2018 British Masters.
Royal Porthcawl has held The Amateur Championship on seven occasions.
The South Wales links course was the venue for the 1995 Walker Cup. David Howell holed the winning putt as Great Britain and Ireland defeated a United States of America team featuring Tiger Woods.
It has also hosted the Senior Open, the Curtis Cup and the British Masters back in the 1960s.
The Old Course at St Andrews will stage the championship for the third time in 2024.
Lorena Ochoa and Stacy Lewis won the title over the world-famous links in 2007 and 2013.
The AIG Women’s Open will return to Carnoustie for the first time since 2011 when Yani Tseng successfully defended her title.
Top courses welcome Women’s Open
Pat Sawers, Carnoustie Golf Links chairwoman
“I am delighted to welcome the AIG Women’s Open back to Carnoustie in 2021.
“The event was a tremendous success in 2011 and I regard it as a privilege to host the championship and look forward to seeing the world’s top players face the challenge of Carnoustie once again.”
Alistair Campbell, captain, Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers
“The Honourable Company relishes the prospect of hosting the AIG Women’s Open in 2022.
“I know our members and many others will be enthusiastic in welcoming the world’s best women golfers as they tackle our famous championship links.”
Dr Alastair Wells Walton Heath chairman
“Hosting the AIG Women’s Open, one of the ladies Majors, is a great honour for Walton Heath, and will add to our rich golfing heritage.
“We were proud last year to sign up to The R&A Women in Golf Charter and we very much hope this event will provide a great boost for women’s golf in London and the United Kingdom.”
Euan Loudon St Andrews Links Trust chief executive
“We are delighted the AIG Women’s Open will return to our calendar of prestigious events at the Home of Golf.
“Since first hosting the championship in 2007, it has produced hugely entertaining, memorable weeks and worthy champions to join the Old Course’s illustrious honour roll.
“We look forward to welcoming the world’s greatest golfers to our famous Links in 2024.”
Dr Jonathan Chapman Royal Porthcawl captain
“We are enormously excited to welcome the best female golfers in the world to Wales in 2025. Georgia Hall and Charley Hull both featured in the Junior Vagliano Trophy played at Royal Porthcawl in 2011, and it will be fantastic to see them return in their prime.
“The membership, staff and Welsh public look forward to the event with great anticipation.”
‘R&A’s ambition to grow and elevate Open’
R&A chief executive Martin Slumbers said: “We have a real ambition to grow and elevate the AIG Women’s Open for the benefit of the world’s leading golfers.
“And so we are excited to confirm our intention to play the next five championships at these renowned courses.
“It has truly been a collaborative effort from all the venues involved to make this schedule possible.
“The flexibility they have shown in adjusting their own calendars has been vital in allowing us to confirm our plans for the championship through to 2025.
“We are grateful for their support, particularly during a time when golf has been impacted by the on-going pandemic.
“We look forward to working with these venues to deliver an outstanding experience to be enjoyed by everyone involved in the AIG Women’s Open.”
The sponsor’s president Peter Zaffino said: “AIG is pleased to partner with The R&A to increase visibility and engagement in women’s professional golf by enhancing the global stature of the AIG Women’s Open.
“We proudly welcome the involvement of these venerable courses, which will be fitting hosts for these accomplished golfers as they compete at the highest level.”
The AIG Women’s Open will take place from 16-22 August 2021 at Carnoustie with tickets now on sale via aigwomensopen.com.
Adult tickets will start from £20 with children aged 16 years or under before the Championship admitted free of charge.
Spectators aged 24 or under will be entitled to purchase youth (16-24 years) tickets. A £5 Mastercard discount is available per transaction.
•For more ticket and championship information visit aigwomensopen.com. All future championship dates will be announced in due course.
