9 Players to Watch at The AIG Women's Open 2024

Golf's major season concludes at the most appropriate of locations - St Andrews - as the world's best golfers arrive in the iconic Fife town for the AIG Women's Open.

The Old Course stages the championship for a third time, with Lorena Ochoa and Stacy Lewis previously etching their names into the fabric of the historic venue. Becoming part of that story is an enticing prospect for the assembled field. Winning the Open is special, but winning the Open at St Andrews is on another level.

Lilia Vu is the defending champion, but you have to go back to Jiyai Shin (2008/2012) and Yani Tseng (2010/2011) since we last saw a repeat winner in this event, so we may have to glance down the list of contenders to find a likely successor to the American.

But who could that be - and what are the stories you should be following this week at the spiritual Home of Golf? 

Here are some players to watch.

Jin Young Ko

Between 2019 and 2021, the game belonged to the South Korean, who during that time secured ten victories on the LPGA Tour, including two major championships. Titles have become a little harder to find since then, but the 29-year-old is quietly coming into this week in strong form, having finished runner-up at the PGA Championship and being sixth at Dundonald Links in the Scottish Open.

Her appearances in this championship have been a little sporadic, but if we turn back the clock to her debut year in 2015, she finished second to the great Inbee Park. Jin Young Ko has the pedigree to win at St Andrews.

Nelly Korda

Several months ago, Nelly Korda would have been a clear favourite, but following her astonishing springtime run of six titles in seven starts, it's been a shaky summer for the world number one. Having disappointed in the US Open, PGA Championship and Evian, eyes will be on the American to see if she can end her major campaign for 2024 - which began in triumph at the Chevron - in a positive manner.

Lauren Coughlin

It's been an astonishing few weeks for the 31-year-old, which has seen her claim a maiden LPGA title at the prestigious Canadian Open, before overcoming the testing conditions in Ayrshire to win the Scottish Open. She comes to St Andrews in search of her first made cut in this event - but she more recently has finished third at the Chevron and fourth in the Evian. No player in the field will be feeling in a better mood than American.

Charley Hull

Runner-up last year to Lilia Vu at Walton Heath, Hull has admitted that her game hasn't always meshed well with links golf, and with the championship returning to the seaside this year, there will be concerns that the forecast high winds could blow her challenge away. That said, her performance at Dundonald showed encouragement, so perhaps she could go one better than last August.

Lydia Ko

Few players in the modern era have had more astonishing or benchmark-setting careers than Lydia Ko, who completed the set of Olympic medals by winning gold in Paris. She was the leading amateur here back in 2013 but despite her undoubted brilliance, it remains stunning that it's been eight years since her most recent major title. Ko is still only 27. And what better place to end that drought than by taking a lap of honour up the last in St Andrews.

Lexi Thompson

This will be the American's 66th and - potentially - final major after Thompson announced that this would be her final LPGA season. The ultimate fairytale ending to that career is probably a step too far, but you can be sure that many in the gallery will be willing her to have a fine week in Fife.

Lottie Woad

The world number one amateur, Lottie Woad is part of a solid grouping with Solheim Cup stars Jennifer Kupcho and Emily Kristine Pedersen. Winner of the Augusta National Women's Amateur earlier this year, the 20-year-old will be hoping to enjoy another memorable few days at one of the sport's grandest stages.

Karrie Webb

It's been five years since the great Australian last played in a major, but the three-time Women's Open champion is back for another crack at St Andrews. Turning 50 in December, this is Webb's 100th major championship appearance, and - you never know - she may decide that it's set to be her last. Regardless, it's a fitting week to reflect on a career that has encompassed seven major titles and 41 LPGA Tour victories. Legendary.

Catriona Matthew

We do know that this week is a valedictory appearance for Catriona Matthew, who has confirmed that St Andrews will be her farewell. The Scot - who unforgettably won this championship in 2009 - turns 55 on Sunday, and this will be her 30th time playing in the event. It's been a remarkable career for Matthew, with her Solheim Cup record, including a back-to-back winning captaincy in 2019 and 2021 being a significant highlight. Salut!

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