Last week saw the LPGA Tour showcase their best golfers duking it out at Dundonald Links. Now, the women’s circuit moves to another golf course in Scotland for the final major of the year, the 2024 AIG Women’s Open. However, this won’t just be the last major championship of the year but probably the last one for Lexi Thompson as well. And she would be teeing off at the same along with the other golfers on August 22, hoping for a final major win.

Meanwhile, the field will tee off for the winner’s cut of the total prize pool of $9 million. And they will do so at St. Andrews Links (Old Course) to crown themselves champions on Sunday, August 25. But, as is the usual case with any event, only a single golfer will be able to lift the trophy.

Top picks for the 2024 AIG Women’s Open

As per the official field set by the Women’s Open, there were a total of 144 golfers, including 29-year-old Lexi Thompson. And for the American to emerge victorious, she will have to beat the rest of the field, including the favorites who are slated to win the event.

1. Lilia Vu: The American golfer won the 2023 edition of the AIG Women’s Open, all thanks to her figures of 14-under 274. Fast forward to 2024 and she will be entering the event ranked No. 2 in the Rolex Rankings. Interestingly, she has a total of 3 top-10 finishes, the best of which came at the Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give. Although she is ranked 141.75 points behind the No. 1 position, a win at the upcoming event will help her close the gap by a significant amount. And so, the golfer would surely be hoping to defend her title and take one step further to reclaim the top spot on the rankings.

2. Nelly Korda: Currently the topmost-ranked female athlete in the world when it comes to golf. Although she has raked in a total of 7 top-10 placements, including 6 victories (including a major) from the 13 starts she made (Olympics included), her last five tournaments have been anything but good. She missed the cut at three of those events, two of which were major championships while finding herself outside the top 20 in the last two events. However, this push might exactly be what the athlete needs to emerge victorious at the Women’s Open and reclaim her momentum on the greens. Many would surely be hoping for a comeback from the 26-year-old.

3. Ayaka Furue: The 24-year-old has the most number of top-10 placements this season, even shooting past the likes of Nelly Korda. Out of the 18 starts she made on the women’s circuit, the Japanese Pro has garnered a total of 10 top-10 finishes, the best of which came at the previous major, the 2024 Amundi Evian Championship. Consequently, this helped her jump from the 23rd position on the world rankings to the seventh spot after a T3 finish at the recently ended ISPS Handa Women’s Scottish Open. Underestimate her, and you might find yourself staring at her backside as she shoots past you on the scoreboard.

4. Lydia Ko: “I’m excited to play in Scotland these next couple weeks,” wrote the Kiwi on her Instagram handle as she expressed her exhilaration for the upcoming major, the 2024 AIG Women’s Open. With the pressure of becoming a Hall of Famer finally off her shoulders, the New Zealand pro will look to clinch yet another win to add to her tally of two 2024 victories: the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions and a gold medal from the Paris Olympics. Aside from the two, she also boasts four other top-10 placements from 14 starts (excluding the two wins). But can she win the final major of the year? Her fans would surely hope so.

5. Hae Ran Ryu: The 23-year-old trails behind Furue in the top-10 finishes. The South Korean golfer, out of the 17 starts she made this season, boasts 8 top-10 placements, the best of which came from a T2 at the 2024 Dana Open. Owing to not clinching a win yet this year, the athlete would surely look forward to leaving a mark in the event with a victory in the 2024 AIG Women’s Open at the Old Course.

St. Andrews, the ultimate links test for the LPGA Tour Pros

“I fell in love with it the first day I played it,” said an impressed Jack Nicklaus while alluding to the St. Andrews Links, “There’s just no other golf course that is even remotely close.” Established in 1400, the Old Course, out of the many grounds, has been popularly dubbed as the “Home of Golf,” and is the place where the sport was first played almost six decades ago.

Housing the ever-popular Swilcan Bridge and the infamous Hell Bunker, the LPGA Tour Pros, including Korda and Thompson, will surely find themselves a challenge at the 6670-yard, par-72 layout. But who among the 144-player field will emerge victorious at one of the most iconic courses hosting one of the most iconic tournaments ever? The fans can only wait patiently for the 2024 AIG Women’s Open winner, who will be crowned on Sunday!