The AIG Women’s Open has a 144-player field featuring some of the best players the world has ever seen – both past and present.
However, the Major also offers the chance for several potential superstars of the future to showcase their abilities.
In the 2024 edition at the Old Course, five top amateur players will be teeing it up alongside the professionals as they compete for the Smyth Salver, which is awarded to the leading amateur who completes all 72 holes.
Previous big names to win the salver include Michelle Wie West, Amy Yang, Anna Nordqvist, Danielle Kang, Lydia Ko, Leona Maguire and Rose Zhang, so the five competing this week will hoping to follow in some formidable when the trophy is awarded.
Here are the stories on how this year’s crop secured their spots in the fifth and final Major of the year at the Home of Golf.
Ela Anacona
Ela Anacona won the 2023 Women’s Latin America Championship to qualify
(Image credit: Getty Images)
- World Amateur Golf Ranking: 311th
- How She Qualified: 2023 Women’s Latin America champion
- Nationality: Argentina
Argentinian player Anacona took full advantage of the 2023 Women’s Latin America Championship being held in her homeland to cruise to a 12-shot win. She closed with a three-under 69 to finish a record-breaking 15-under for the tournament at Pilar Golf.
The win was the second by an Argentinian after Valentina Rossi triumphed a year earlier, and it earned her exemptions into the Chevron Championship, Amundi Evian Championship and AIG Women’s Open.
Afterwards, the 23-year-old, who completed her studies at the University of Arkansas this summer, said: “I was on the 16th when I thought ‘OK, I think I’m going to win this thing’ and then I remembered the AIG Women’s Open is in St Andrews next year. I’m so excited and can’t wait to play the Old Course.”
Julia Lopez Ramirez
Julia Lopez Ramirez makes her second successive appearance at the Major
(Image credit: Getty Images)
- World Amateur Golf Ranking: 2nd
- How She Qualified: Highest WAGR-ranked amateur not otherwise exempt
- Nationality: Spain
The Spaniard is preparing for her second appearance at the AIG Women’s Open after reaching the 2023 tournament thanks to victory at that year’s European Ladies Amateur Championship, where she beat Ingrid Lindblad. She made the most of her…
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