'The coolest win'

Stacy Lewis made history in September as the United States of America’s youngest-ever Solheim Cup captain, aged just 38.

She is also the last player to win the AIG Women’s Open at St Andrews – the venue for next year’s showpiece – in 2013.

It was her second major title, coming two years after her success in the Kraft Nabisco Championship, and one of 13 LPGA Tour victories she has enjoyed during a stellar career.

“[It] was definitely by far the coolest win I’ve ever had,” Lewis said of her 2013 triumph.

The Ohio native opened with an impressive five-under-par 67 but found herself five shots behind at the halfway stage.

With the leading pairs forced to play 36 holes on the Sunday due to high winds the day before, Lewis finished in style, birdieing 17 and 18 in the final round to post an eight-under-par total and finish two shots clear of Hee Young Park and Na Yeon Choi.

“17 is probably one of the hardest holes in major championship golf,” reflected Lewis.

“You start with a tee shot that’s blind… over the hotel. I hit a really good drive just to be in the fairway.

“The second shot… I think was about 200 yards to the pin. Right off the face I knew it was good, but you never know what kind of bounces you’re going to get.

“[When the ball was] in the air I was hoping that I [would get] a good bounce, and it couldn’t have been more perfect.

“It’s one of those shots that I’ll remember for the rest of my life.

“To birdie 17 [and] 18 at the home of golf in a major championship; it doesn’t get any better than that.”

Lewis has nothing but fond memories of St Andrews. Not only did she win the AIG Women’s Open on the fabled Old Course, it is also where she bade farewell to amateur golf by winning her five matches at the 2008 Curtis Cup.

"[St Andrews is] my favourite place in the world,” said Lewis, looking ahead to next year’s AIG Women’s Open.

“We get to go back so I’m really excited for that. The younger players won’t have played there, so it will be a really special week again.”

The 2024 AIG Women’s Open will take place from 21-25 August.

Tickets start at just £15 for adults, youth tickets are half price, while there is free admission for children under 16.