Fans to return to AIG Women's Open

The R&A has confirmed up to 8,000 fans per day can attend the AIG Women’s Open when it is played at Carnoustie from 19-22 August, following support from the Scottish Government as part of its Events Gateway Process.

The Major Championship will welcome the world’s leading women golfers to compete across golf’s greatest test for the highly coveted AIG Women’s Open title.

Fans attending the AIG Women’s Open on each Championship day will be able to cheer on the players, a sound missed at the 72nd hole in 2020 with the Championship played behind closed doors.

Fans wishing to attend should book their tickets at aigwomensopen.com. Adult tickets start from £25, with children aged 16 years or under before the Championship admitted free of charge.

Spectators aged 24 years or under will be entitled to purchase youth (16-24 years) tickets starting from £12.50. A £5 Mastercard discount is available per transaction.

Martin Slumbers, Chief Executive of The R&A said, “We and our partners at AIG were incredibly proud of what we achieved for women’s golf at the AIG Women’s Open last year, and we will always remember Sophia Popov’s outstanding victory, but in 2021 fans are what will elevate the AIG Women’s Open from memorable to truly special.

“Fans are so important to major sporting championships; they create atmosphere, they celebrate greatness and commiserate heartbreak, they bring passion and excitement. We are truly delighted to welcome spectators back to the AIG Women’s Open at Carnoustie.”

The R&A, working closely with the Scottish and UK governments, its health and safety advisers and local health authorities, has implemented health protocols to ensure the safety of the players, officials, fans and local Angus community.

These include:

• Everyone attending the Championship is strongly encouraged to be double vaccinated.

• Everyone attending the Championship is strongly encouraged to undertake twice-weekly lateral flow tests.

• Players and Championship staff will stay in an inner bubble with their movements restricted to the course and accommodation

• PCR testing measures will be implemented for those personnel in the inner bubble

• Enhanced hygiene and cleaning measures will be implemented across the Championship

Slumbers added: “A successful and a safe championship has been The R&A and AIG’s top priority throughout the planning process for the AIG Women’s Open.

“We have a duty of care, as best we can, to mitigate the risk of Covid-19 to those attending the Championship and importantly not to impose any greater risk to our hosts in the local Angus area.

“Our protocols follow the best practice guidance for staging a major event during the pandemic and have been formed with the support of and in close consultation with the Scottish government and The R&A’s medical and health & safety advisors.”

Throughout the pandemic, golf has shown that it can be played safely due to its outdoor nature and ease of social distancing, and the same can be enjoyed whilst spectating.

Golf provides significant health benefits including the prevention and treatment of over 40 major chronic diseases, lowers cholesterol and improves body composition and metabolism. Golfers are also less likely to be at risk of loneliness, a risk factor enhanced for many by the global pandemic.

Throughout this period, many people have missed live spectating at sporting events, the re-introduction of this opportunity providing another vital step towards normality for society.

Minister for Culture, Europe and International Development Jenny Gilruth said: “I am very pleased that the Scottish Government’s process for supporting flagship events has helped enable the return of spectators to the AIG Women’s Open. I know how challenging Covid has been for the events sector and I commend the hard work and dedication of all those involved in the event, including The R&A, their health and safety experts and a range of local delivery partners for the exceptional protocols and mitigations in place that allow us collectively to proceed with the event with confidence.

“I have no doubt that the spectators in attendance at the AIG Women’s Open will enjoy the world-class sport that unfolds on the Angus coast and enhance the event by producing the incredible atmosphere for which Scottish golf crowds are rightly renowned.”