Lydia Ko claimed victory at the 2024 AIG Women’s Open, finishing seven-under-par at the historic Old Course at St Andrews. The New Zealander secured the win by two shots over defending champion Lilia Vu, Ruoning Yin, Nelly Korda, and Jiyai Shin. Here are five takeaways from the weekend and what the future holds for the women’s game.
Lydia Ko’s resilience
Ko is the first player from New Zealand to win the AIG Women’s Open and it was done in style with her fourth round of 69 being the only score under 70 in the last 15 groups.
The Olympic champion started the final round three shots back behind leader Jiyai Shin in fourth place. She kept her patience throughout, with only one dropped shot coming on 15.
Embed from Getty ImagesKo was the only player among the contenders to finish one-under-par through the challenging 17th and 18th holes. Jiyai Shin and Nelly Korda both bogeyed the 17th, Ruoning Yin managed to stay level par through both holes and Lilia Vu, who had a chance to force a playoff on the 18th, ultimately three-putted and bogeyed the final hole.
Ko epitomised consistency, recording scores of 71, 70, 71, and 69. She carded just six bogeys throughout the week, tied for the fewest in the field. Her victory at the AIG Women’s Open was well-deserved, highlighted by a single remarkable shot. In torrential rain and wind, Ko struck a three-wood to within 25 feet on the notoriously difficult Road Hole—an achievement to be truly admired.
Global competitiveness
The AIG Women’s Open underscored the international depth in women’s golf, with players from various countries in the top spots. 10 of the 16 players who finished tied 10th or better were from different countries.
This diversity at the top of the leaderboard underscores the international talent pool in the sport, with players from different golfing traditions bringing unique strengths to major tournaments. It reflects how women’s golf has become a truly global game, with top talent emerging from all corners of the world.
The St Andrews challenge
The 2024 AIG Women’s Open at St. Andrews vividly illustrated the challenges of links golf, particularly due to the intense winds that were a constant factor throughout the tournament.
The coastal winds, a signature of links courses, required players to adjust their strategies significantly, affecting everything from club selection to shot execution.
The wind’s unpredictability made precise control over ball flight and distance essential, as players had to contend with strong gusts that could alter the course of their shots.
The defending champion Lilia Vu after her first round on Thursday said:
“It was super tough. I mean, you just have to be on every single shot. You have to be really disciplined. Front nine winds off the left, kind of between hurting and helping, and then back nine, you kind of have to rewire your brain, like okay, winds off the right, it’s okay to hit out to the right and then have it come back. It’s just definitely a mental battle.”
Lydia Ko’s victory in these conditions was a testament to her all-around skill and mental toughness, further highlighting the significance of mastering links golf.
Emergence of new talent
The 2024 AIG Women’s Open spotlighted the emergence of new talent. England’s Lottie Woad won the Smyth Salver Award for the leading amateur.
The 2024 Augusta National Women’s Amateur champion continued her excellent form this year, showing the world why she is the number one amateur in the world- and England’s first female amateur to do.
At one stage early on Sunday afternoon, Woad was just four behind from the leaders – the possibility of an Augusta-Old Course double was on. Despite fading away with a couple of dropped shots in her closing 73, Woad still ended her week with a brilliant birdie on 18.
Embed from Getty Images“I knew what I had to do the last few holes. It was a little bit of a grind, but got it done. The AIG Women’s Open is the best one to play in. Being at St Andrews, it can’t really be any better,” said Woad.
Europe’s Solheim Cup form
With the Solheim Cup just on the horizon, starting September 13th, the form of Europe’s top stars could be a cause for concern.
Only three Europeans finished inside the tied top 10 at the AIG Women’s Open, one being England’s leading amateur Lottie Woad. Sweden’s Linn Grant finished one-under-par for the week. An impressive finish despite starting her week with a five-over-par, 77. Nanna Koerstz Madsen from Denmark also finished one-under-par.
Charley Hull started the week in impressive form with a five-under-par, 67 and was leading the tournament after the first round but fell away over the weekend. Celine Boutier, Georgia Hall, Leona Maguire and Carlota Ciganda all finished over par for the tournament and never looked like challenging any of the leaders.
No doubt Europe’s Captain Suzann Pettersen will be optimistic about her team’s chances at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Virginia, but with the likes of Lauren Coughlin winning the Women’s Scottish Open and Lilia Vu and Nelly Korda in contention all weekend at St Andrews, it hard to bet against the US team regaining the Solheim Cup on home soil.
Swing and Hope 
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