All you need to know ahead of Walton Heath

Walton Heath will host the AIG Women’s Open for the first time in 2023. Here’s what to expect, how to buy tickets and everything else you need to know ahead of the Championship.

When and where is the AIG Women’s Open and can I attend?

The AIG Women’s Open will be held at Walton Heath Golf Club in Surrey from 9-13 August. It is the first time the club has hosted the Championship, and the first AIG Women’s Open in greater London since Sunningdale served as the venue in 2004.

You can buy tickets for all four Championship days here, using your Mastercard to get £5 off your purchase. For the first time, you will also be able to watch the players practice on Wednesday, with tickets on sale here.

How can I follow the event?

The AIG Women's Open has extensive coverage and content across a number of channels.

The best way to follow the event live is through AIG Women's Open Radio, which will make its debut at Walton Heath this year with members of the ‘No Laying Up’ podcast joining the team.

From the team that bring you The Open Radio, AIG Women’s Open Radio will be broadcast live from Walton Heath from 10-13 August, running from 7am-7pm on Thursday 10 August and Friday 11 August, and 11am to close of play over the weekend.

You will be able to tune in via AIGWomensOpen.com, the AIG Women’s Open app, LPGA.com and BBC Radio 5 Live Extra for UK listeners.

AIGWomensOpen.com will also offer a live leaderboard, a dedicated live blog, the best video highlights and up-to-date news on the Championship.

You can browse a collection of videos on our website, including Official Films and tips and tricks, or watch highlights on our YouTube channel.

Additionally, the best place to stay right up to date with the Championship all year round is on our social media accounts. You can follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok, or search @aigwomensopen to find us on all channels.

Who will be playing?

The world’s best players will travel to the south of London in August to assemble one of the strongest fields of the year. Last year, 45 of the world’s top 50 and all of the top 14 played at Muirfield.

Some of the world’s very best have history with the AIG Women’s Open too. World number one Lydia Ko and world number four Atthaya Thitikul have both won the Smyth Salver, the trophy awarded to the low amateur, twice at the AIG Women’s Open, and both will be looking to win their first title in the event. World number five Minjee Lee has finished in the top-5 the last three years, and world number 11 In Gee Chun will be looking to go one better than last year when she lost to defending Champion Ashleigh Buhai in a play-off.

Click here to learn more about the players in the 2022 field and every Champion in the event’s storied history.

Is anything happening after the golf finishes?

Yes. Live music will feature as part of the Championship weekend for the very first time, with pop superstar Ellie Goulding headlining a concert at Walton Heath following the close of play on Saturday 12 August.

All ticket holders on the Saturday will be able to attend the concert in the evening.

What other activities are planned for spectators?

Fans can expect a new-look festival village featuring:

• A festival village stage where panel discussions with leading names from sport, business and entertainment will take place.
• A ‘Golf It!’ zone which will feature fun golf activities to introduce fans to the sport.
• Interactive golf experiences including VR and e-sports.
• Big screens to watch golf and other leading women’s sports including the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
• A new food and beverage offering from a host of exciting, passionate and diverse street food traders.

How do players qualify for the Championship?

The 2023 AIG Women’s Open will be contested by 144 of the best golfers in the world.

Players can qualify for the Championship in 2023 through a variety of exemption categories, which you will be able to see here closer to the time.

Non-exempt players will also be able to qualify for the Championship through Pre-Qualifying and Final Qualifying.

What happened in the 2022 Championship?

In 2022, the AIG Women’s Open was held at Muirfield, and Ashleigh Buhai eventually triumphed over In Gee Chun in an epic four hole play-off that finished in the dark. Watch the 2022 AIG Women's Open Official Film here.

Where will the AIG Women's Open be held in the future?

The R&A announced the next five venues for the AIG Women's Open in 2020, and St Andrews will be the next host in 2024 for what will be a memorable event.