Georgia Hall hungry for more titles

From Tuesday 11 May, The R&A is celebrating 100 days to go until the AIG Women’s Open tees off at Carnoustie by offering 100 junior golfers a golden ticket to the Championship.

The AIG Women’s Open aims to champion the changing face of golf and The R&A is working with golf clubs across Scotland to inspire the next generation of golf fans to attend the Championship.

Participating clubs will award a golden ticket to junior golfers who, in their own play, exhibit the values of the AIG Women’s Open including inclusivity, inspire others to enjoy the sport and actively engage with golf on and off the course.

With their golden ticket in hand, junior golfers will be treated to a special masterclass on Monday 16th August when they will receive top tips from some of the world’s best players as well as enjoy an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the Championship. They will then be welcomed back to Carnoustie to experience all of the action on the four Championship days.

Whilst junior golfers can be lucky winners of a golden ticket and the VIP experience, all children under the age of 16 will be admitted free of charge, when accompanied by a ticket holding adult, to the AIG Women’s Open. A youth ticket for those aged 16-24 can be purchased from £10. Tickets for the AIG Women's Open are available here.

Zoe Ridgway, Tournament Director – AIG Women’s Open at The R&A, said, “The AIG Women’s Open plays a pivotal role in inspiring future golfers and so we have created this campaign to specifically engage with young people and allow them to experience the excitement of the Championship.

“The golfers who compete in the AIG Women’s Open have an incredible level of skill, talent and athleticism and we hope that their inspiration and this opportunity will encourage golden ticket recipients to continue to develop their golf and enjoy its many benefits.”

This year Sophia Popov will return to Carnoustie as the AIG Women’s Open defending champion, after making her debut in the Championship at the famous Angus links in 2011. Her breakthrough victory at Royal Troon last year provided an inspirational tale of perseverance, hard work and belief for golfers at every level of the sport.

“Winning the AIG Women’s Open was an incredibly special moment for me last year so to hear that it has inspired other golfers is quite humbling. I think that as professional athletes we are in a unique position to help promote golf by encouraging people to start playing,” said Popov.

“I really like that junior golfers will get an experience inside the ropes at the AIG Women’s Open this year and I hope that it motivates them to continue to pursue their dreams. Being the defending champion at a Major is certainly one of mine.”

The AIG Women’s Open will take place from 16-22 August 2021 at Carnoustie with tickets now on sale. The Championship will follow government guidance in relation to spectator attendance.

Adult tickets will start from £20 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 £10. A £5 Mastercard discount is available per transaction.

Hall’s record in the AIG Women’s Open is stellar. After winning the Smyth Salver on her debut in 2013 as a 17-year-old, Hall had a great chance to win in 2017, eventually finishing in a tie for third.

While that close call was tough for Hall to take, her wonderful victory the following year immediately put any demons to rest. However, despite showing flashes in the previous two years, finishes of T35 and T45 respectively have left Hall seeking more.

With great confidence on links courses, the 47th-ranked player in the world will be hoping that the challenge of Carnoustie provides the opportunity to sate her hunger.

“Obviously I’d absolutely love to win that event again. It will still always be my favourite event - even before I won it, it was my favourite event – and I really look forward to playing it at Carnoustie this year,” she added.

“Carnoustie is definitely one of the best venues in the world. It’s fantastic and it all depends what the weather does, but especially the last three or four holes definitely can be interesting.

“I think it does suit me. It’s true links. It can be tough, it can be very tight in places, you have to hit a lot of punch shots. I think it is (suited to me) and I look forward to playing it. I look forward to it and hopefully it will be true British weather.”

You can purchase tickets for Carnoustie 2021, where Hall will be hoping to claim a second title, here.