The Women’s Open golf returns to the Old Course in St Andrews this weekend.
It is the third time the event has been held on the famous links, with American Stacy Lewis running out as the winner in 2013.
Many of the world’s best golfers will play at the tournament between August 21 and 25.
Here is everything you need to know ahead of the AIG Women’s Open in St Andrews.
Which big names will be playing in the Women’s Open at St Andrews?
Top golfers at the Old Course will include the current world number one Nelly Korda.
Defending champion Lilia Vu will be hoping to make it a double after winning last year’s Open at Walton Heath Old Course.
More than 140 golfers will take part in the event, which will also include in-form Hannah Green and English golfer Charley Hull.
When is the Old Course open to fans during the tournament?
Opening times for each day are as follows:
- Wednesday, August 21: 9am-6pm (practice day)
- Thursday, August 22: 6.15am-8pm
- Friday, August 23: 6.15am-8pm
- Saturday, August 24: 8am-10.30pm
- Sunday, August 25: 8am-8pm
Re-admission is permitted at the event providing spectators can show their ticket and present a re-entry wristband.
Are tickets still available for the Women’s Open at St Andrews?
Tickets are still available to buy online.
The prices for each day are as follows:
- Wednesday: Adults £20, youths (16-24) £10, juniors (0-15) free
- Thursday: Adults £40, youths £20, juniors free
- Friday: Adults £40, youths £20, juniors free
- Saturday (including concert): Adults £55, youths £40, juniors £20
- Sunday: Adults £45, youths £22.50, juniors free
Five-day tickets cost £160 for adults, £90 for youths and £20 for children.
Weekend tickets cost £90 for adults, £55 for youths and £20 for children.
Hospitality packages are also available.
What other entertainment is on offer?
English singer Tom Grennan will be entertaining fans on Saturday.
Supporting him on the night is former X Factor and Strictly Come Dancing contestant Fleur East.
Access to the concert is included with Saturday tickets as well as the five-day and weekend tickets.
The concert will begin at the end of the scheduled play.
There will also be a fans’ village with a range of food and drink on offer, as well as mini golf and golf lessons.
A stage will be set up to host a line-up of prominent figures from women’s sports, business and entertainment.
Will there be road closures during the Women’s Open?
Fife Council says the following roads will be shut during the event:
- Old Guardbridge Road
- Grannie Clark’s Wynd
- The Links
- West Sands Road
- Old Station Road
- Gibson Place (resident access maintained)
- Murray Park (resident access maintained)
- C4 Kincaple Road, from its junction with A91 to its junction with the Strathkinness road (resident access maintained)
- Golf Place, from its junction with The Scores to Bruce Embankment
- Bruce Embankment (Full length)
- Station Road (Leuchars Station)
What’s the best way to travel to the Women’s Open in St Andrews?
- Cars: All on-site public parking will be free and no pre-booking is needed. The public car park is located next to the main entrance and festival village.
- By rail: The nearest rail station is at Leuchars. However, ScotRail currently has a temporary timetable in place with fewer services running. There will be regular shuttle buses between the station and the Old Course.
- By bus: Various bus firms run services to St Andrews from throughout Fife and Dundee. There are also express services from Glasgow, Edinburgh and Dunfermline.
- By Bike: National Cycle Route 1 runs through St Andrews and links to Strathkinness, Guardbridge, Leuchars, Tayport, Dundee and beyond. There will be cycle parks provided close to all the entrances.
What will the weather in St Andrews be like during the Women’s Open?
Wednesday: The Met Office predicts a dry start to the day, but sun will turn to rain by the afternoon. There will be highs of 14°C in the afternoon and winds could reach gusts of 40mph.
Thursday: The first official day of the tournament is set to be dry, with overnight rain stopping by 8am. As the day goes on the sun will begin to appear through the clouds. The Met Office predicts a high of 18°C.
Friday: It will be slightly cooler on Friday than it was on Thursday with temperatures expected to reach 17°C. Showers are expected in the morning and evening with wind gusts reaching 30mph.
Saturday: Temperatures are expected to be cooler Saturday with sunny spells forecast throughout the day. There will be a chance of light showers at around 1pm. Wind gusts will peak at 31mph in the morning but will ease throughout the day.
Sunday: It is expected to remain dry and mostly sunny for the final day of the tournament at the Old Course. Temperatures are expected to reach highs of 16°C.
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