The world’s best players are at St Andrews for the AIG Women’s Open, but who will be victorious on the iconic Old Course and win this year’s major?
Ayaka Furue claimed her first major title at the Amundi Evian Championship and is one of the pre-tournament favorites to impress again, having also had previous success on the golf links at the 2022 ISPS Handa Women’s Scottish Open.
Nelly Korda won the Chevron Championship as part of six LPGA Tour titles in seven events this year, with the world’s No. 1 player alongside fellow Americans. Lilia Wulan – the defending champion and looking to become the first back-to-back champion since 2011 – through the first two rounds.
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Speaking on the Sky Sports Golf Podcast, Sophie Walker and Trish Johnson said they don’t think Nelly Korda should be considered the favorite to win the Women’s Open due to a number of factors.
US Women’s Open Champion Yuka Saso and winner of the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship Amy Yang both will bid to win the second season, when the former No. 1 in the world Lydia Ko coming off the back of winning Olympic gold and a strong performance in Scotland last week.
Forecasts of strong winds in Scotland could raise hopes Georgia Hall, who won the event in 2018, with Charlie Hull looking to go one better than last year’s runner-up and claim the elusive maiden main title.
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Trish Johnson told the Sky Sports Golf Podcast that despite feeling that Charley Hull has underachieved in her career so far, she thinks she is one of the favorites to win the Women’s Open at St Andrews.
Lauren Coughlin won the Women’s Scottish Open last week and is now chasing her third win in four rounds, having secured a place in the Solheim Cup, with Australia. Hannah Green as well as a multiple season champion on the LPGA Tour.
Miyu Yamashita is six time world runner-up this year and Haeran Ryu has finished no worse than 13th in his last five starts, while many players will be looking to impress to qualify for next month’s Solheim Cup.
Who will win the AIG Women’s Open?
Can we get back-to-back major championships? A breakthrough title for him? Before you vote and predict the winner from the selection below, read who it is Sky Sports Golf teams covered this week think they will claim the 2024 finals…
Dame Laura Davies: “I would have said Nelly Korda a few months ago because he won everything, but not now. There are a lot of very good players who are playing well.
“It’s going to be very windy, so you need players who play very well in the wind. A good shout is possible. Ally Ewingwho is a very good player and controls the flight of the ball very well. He has had a great year and has had several top-five finishes in majors this year.
Ally Ewing has finished in the top-10 in her last three major appearances
Trish Johnson:”Ayaka Furue has had an amazing year so far, with nine top-10s in 17 tournaments. He finished third last week and loves Scottish golf, so he needs everything he knows!
“He’s got incredible control of the ball, he’s very good and he’s got everything to win here. He won the Evian Championship, after knocking on the door a few times, and I think the situation can work this week. .”
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Highlights from the final round of the Amundi Evian Championship, where Ayaka Furue won with an eagle on the last hole
Richard Kaufman: “No one has won the women’s major in a row in 11 years, the last time we were at St Andrews, but Ayaka Furue could be a player who would be close to the lead if he didn’t win. He’s almost certainly in the top 10 and I don’t think he should get the credit he deserves.
Inci Mehmet: “Lydia Ko won Olympic gold in Paris and showed some great signs last week at the Women’s Scottish Open. He has the warm-up he wants and may need, so he’ll be hungry, know the golf course and be my pick this week.
John Stephen:”Georgian Hall love links golf, love St Andrews and know how to get it done under pressure, when it matters most. I think the tough weather, maybe brutal, will suit him.”
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Dame Laura Davies discusses the hopes of British golfers Charley Hull, Gemma Dryburgh and Georgia Hall at the AIG Women’s Open
Sophie Walker:”Lilia Wulan is a drawer of the ball – which is nice around St Andrews – and in shape at the moment. The chance to bounce back is the only thing that makes me question it, but he played well last week.
“He is a decent lag putter, has a short game handy and said last week about taking whatever the weather throws at him. He looks really content and injury-free right now.”
Watch all four rounds of the AIG Women’s Open live this week on Sky Sports! Coverage of the opening round starts on Thursday at noon on Sky Sports Golf. Stream women’s majors and other sports with NOW.
