Slow play at the AIG Women’s Open at the Old Course in St. Andrews during the first round caused significant delays for the players. Leona Maguire, known for her toughness, experienced long waits on the 11th tee due to at least four groups ahead of her. The pace of play became so slow that players were even instructed to allow the group behind them to play into the green before putting out themselves, a rare occurrence on a par-3 hole. The unique layout of holes 7 through 11 on the Old Course, known as The Loop, contributed to the delays as the holes share greens and fairways, causing distractions for the professionals.
The challenging conditions on the 11th tee, with winds reaching up to 40 mph, led to players struggling to keep their balls still, even on tees and fairways. Lydia Ko mentioned how the gusty winds affected even short putts and forced players to aim far away from their targets due to the crosswinds. The delays on the course resulted in rounds that typically take five hours to stretch towards six and beyond, impacting the overall pace of play for the tournament. The situation on the 11th green, where player Nicole Broch Estrup struggled to keep her ball still while putting, lasted for at least 20 minutes, causing the group to fall behind.
Due to the late start of the tournament, organizers had to accommodate for reduced daylight by utilizing both the 1st and 10th tees simultaneously. Unplanned delays on certain holes, like the 11th, led to multiple groups backing up on the same tee box, causing further congestion on the course. The difficulties faced by players, such as long waits on tees and delays in play, are common in major championships with challenging course setups and harsh conditions, such as gale-force winds experienced during the AIG Women’s Open.
Players like Andrea Lee, captured in a photo waiting on the 11th tee, had to endure long hours between their tee shots and media interviews due to the slow pace of play. Even top players like Nelly Korda, Lilia Vu, and Charley Hull faced delays during their round, resulting in an extended time on the course despite shooting in the 60s. The abnormal crawling pace of play was attributed to the challenging conditions and setup of the Old Course, similar to Tiger Woods’ experience in the 2022 Open Championship.
Despite the delays and challenging conditions, players like Leona Maguire persevered through the tough conditions and managed to post respectable scores. Maguire, after a brutal wait on the 11th tee, made a par and finished with a one-over 73 for the round. With the weekend forecast predicting slightly better conditions, players are optimistic about improved scoring opportunities and smoother rounds ahead. The unique challenges faced at the AIG Women’s Open highlight the resilience and determination of professional golfers in navigating difficult conditions on the course.
