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St Andrews 2024
14 August 2024
'Nothing quite like it'
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Links golf at St Andrews excites American star Andrea Lee
Andrea Lee cannot wait to once again experience the delights of links golf during this year’s AIG Women’s Open.
The final major of the year is being staged on the fabled Old Course at St Andrews, the spiritual home of golf, between 21-25 August.
It will be the third time the Championship will have taken place at the historic venue, following Lorena Ochoa’s win in 2007 and Stacy Lewis’ thrilling victory in 2013.
The quintessential ‘out and back’ links course, St Andrews boasts some of the most famous holes in golf such as the ‘Road’ hole (17th) and ‘Tom Morris’ (18th).
Although the forecast looks mild for next week, when the elements bare their teeth, a links course plays like no other – and it is this challenge that Andrea is relishing as she prepares for her fifth appearance at the AIG Women’s Open.
She said: “St Andrews is a classic links course and there’s nothing quite like it.
“The wind will play a huge factor. The wind is the course’s defence. I’ve been lucky enough to play there twice, and when it was windy I did find it tough.
“But I thought it was spectacular. Some of the shots you have to hit, like the one over the hotel on 17 … that was probably the most nerve-wracking shot I hit all round. So in-Championship I can only imagine how we’ll all feel. I think that could be a pretty significant tee shot coming down the stretch.”
She continued: “I do like playing in the wind. I feel like I have a little bit of an advantage because I enjoy hitting those low shots, using the slopes to my advantage.”
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Andrea has registered two top-10s, and three top-30s, in her four appearances at the AIG Women’s Open, including tied-9th at Walton Heath last year.
The 25-year-old – who spent 17 weeks as the world’s leading amateur – has yet to make her major breakthrough, but her form on links courses, and a tied-3rd finish at this year’s US Women’s Open, suggests she is getting ever closer to that elusive title.
The 25-year-old – who spent 17 weeks as the world’s leading amateur – has yet to make her major breakthrough, but her form on links courses, and a tied-3rd finish at this year’s US Women’s Open, suggests she is getting ever closer to that elusive title.
“Winning a major is probably my biggest dream on the LPGA Tour,” said Andrea.
“As a competitor I want to win major championships and be one of the top players in the world. They are obviously goals of mine, but I don’t think you can chase them. I just hope that all the hard work will pay off and hopefully one day I will get there.
“I love competing. I’m a very competitive person. That’s what drives me and motivates me to do better. “I try to go into every single event with the same mindset, whether that be a regular tournament or a major championship.
“Of course, there is an added something during major week – and the AIG Women’s Open being at St Andrews is going to be incredibly special.
“I just love the golf course. Once you step on the grounds you immediately feel all that history. It’s going to be a historic event and I’m really excited for it.
“I have a pretty decent record in the AIG Women’s Open, so hopefully I can do well at St Andrews this year as well.”
