While watching the 2024 AIG Women’s Open at St. Andrews last weekend in strong winds and rain, it was nice to see the tour getting to experience the conditions we usually have to play here in Ireland. It also has the makings of an exciting final day because you know some of the leaders are going to struggle in the final round due to the weather and dropping shots were going to be a certainty among the leaders. This major was going to be won by the player who made the least mistakes versus the player shooting a very low final round, that usually occurs to win most weeks on tour. It did not disappoint either and as expected for most majors played in difficult weather conditions the AIG Womens Open concluded in a thrilling fashion. On the back nine there was still several of players in contention to lift the trophy and winning one of golf’s most sought-after prizes. The Open is such a prestigious tournament but it is even more prestigious when it is hosted at the fabled Old Course at St. Andrews, the birthplace of golf, playing host to the world’s top female golfers as they competed for one of the most prestigious titles in the sport.
The final round was nothing short of spectacular entertainment. At a windy St. Andrews after four days of fierce competition, it was Lydia Ko who emerged victorious in the end, claiming her first Women’s Open title. Ko, already a major champion, navigated the challenging links with poise and precision. Her final round of 69, three under par, was a masterclass in shot-making under pressure holding a lengthy putt at her final hole, which was eventually the winning putt to secure the victory. She seems to be able to hold those pressure putts at the right moments in the final round when so many other players struggle to, which is why Lydia Ko’s is winning more and why her resume just keeps on growing. With her victory at the AIG Women’s Open, the 27-year-old has 21 LPGA Tour victories, three of which are major titles. She had showed signs of form when she secured the gold medal at the Olympics in Paris only a couple of weeks ago and she is finishing her season off in style.
Lydia seems to be a strong finisher especially on the back nine on a Sunday. As the week develops, she seems to be able to keep herself within contention and pounce with birdies when she needs them, just like she did again on the final hole last Sunday holding a twelve-foot putt for birdie.
Nelly Korda showed she is back to herself; she was in contention all week however she looked extremely tentative over every putt, especially in her final round as she seemed to lag every putt to the hole in a negative manor. Her putting stroke certainly didn’t look like the positive one we are used to seeing from Nelly.
I was extremely impressed with England’s Lottie Woad the amateur that finished on a total of 287 (-1 Under) and inside the top 10 of a major ahead of some big golfing names including Leona McGuire. The last time I recall an amateur to achieve such a feat was Justin Rose at The Open and look at the career that followed him since that appearance. I have no doubt we have watched a future star in the making in Lottie Woad as she heads towards Curtis Cup this week in Sunningdale , where she will play alongside our local golfing hero Aine Donnegan as both ladies will represent Great Britain and Ireland team against the US team.
We would like to wish Aine all the best this week as she tees it up at Sunningdale in the Curtis Cup. Also teeing it up this week in The KPMG Womens Irish Open at Carton House is local legend Aideen Walsh. Aideen fresh off yet another victory last week defending her trophy in The Irish Womens Mid-Am. Hopefully Aideen will have plenty of local support heading towards Carton House this week to support her. Best of luck to both Aine and Aideen this week in their battles with Sunningdale and Carton House.
Padraig McGrath,
PGA Golf Professional,
#PadraigKnowsGolf
