A truly international field has gathered at Walton Heath Golf Club in England this week to contest the AIG Women’s Open, one of the five major championships of women’s golf.
Some 144 of the world’s finest players will tee it up at the Surrey venue, which is hosting the prestigious championship for the first time since it was established in 1976. Australia, China, Japan, Korea, South Africa, Sweden, Thailand and the USA are among the many nations that will bring a strong global flavour to the season’s final major.
In the last ten years, the championship has produced winners from eight different countries, including South Africa’s Ashleigh Buhai, who beat South Korea’s In Gee Chun in a memorable four-hole play-off at Muirfield 12 months ago. Buhai, defending her title, will be among a number of former winners at Walton Heath, including Anna Nordqvist (Sweden), Hinako Shibuno (Japan), Georgia Hall (England), Jiyai Shin (Korea) and Ariya Jutanugarn (Thailand).
“It’s very special to come here as the champion. Obviously, there is a little bit of hype coming into the week as well. It’s something I’ve got to manage but it’s all for a good reason,” said Buhai.
“As defending champion, I just have to embrace it and enjoy the week. Anytime I go into any tournament now, the belief is there I can win if I’m playing well,” added the 34-year-old, who has already won twice this year including the LPGA Tour’s ShopRite LPGA Classic in June.
There could just as easily be a new name on the trophy. This has been a season of first-time major winners, with Lilia Vu winning The Chevron Championship, Ruoning Yin the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, Allisen Corpuz the US Women’s Open and Celine Boutier the recent Amundi Evian Championship, reflecting the in-depth strength of women’s golf internationally.
Nelly Korda, Jin Young Ko and Lydia Ko, the current top three on the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings, will need to be at their best if they are to mount a challenge at Walton Heath.
Also aiming to make an impact is Rose Zhang, arguably the brightest young star in the women’s game. On her professional debut in June, the 20-year-old won the Mizuho
Americas Open and has since secured top-ten finishes in each of her first three majors as a professional. This will be Zhang’s third successive appearance in the AIG Women’s Open, following a missed cut at Carnoustie in 2021 and winning the Smyth Salver as leading amateur at Muirfield last year.
Thai star Atthaya Thitikul of Thailand, who also won the Smyth Salver during her amateur career in 2018 and 2019, will be one to watch as well. The 20-year-old’s best performance in the championship came last year where she finished tied seventh at Muirfield.
Sweden’s Linn Grant returns to the AIG Women’s Open as an LPGA Tour winner, having claimed the Dana Open title last month.
Australian Steph Kyriacou is in the field thanks to her top ten finish at Muirfield last year and will be making her fourth appearance in the championship.
The AIG Women’s Open will showcase women in sport, business and entertainment, with fans set to enjoy world-class golf, live music entertainment and a new festival fan village designed to generate a fun, vibrant and welcoming atmosphere.
The new, enhanced fan experience will include a headline set by global superstar Ellie Goulding on Saturday, supported by singer-songwriter Freya Ridings.
Golf fans in Malaysia can watch the AIG Women’s Open ‘live’ on SPOTV (Astro Channel 816).
