AIG Women's Open for Lytham in 2026

[Richard Fisher]

https://www.aigwomensopen.com/news/2023/08/aig-extension-2026-venue-lytham


which is terrific to see. The Old Course, Porthcawl, RLStA make a cracking set of successive venues, on top of Walton Heath where I spectated on Thursday: greener than the classic Walton, and perhaps therefore lacking the 'austerity and searchingness' beloved of Bernard Darwin, but a great test and at 6800 yards plenty long enough. Good spectator numbers too, with over 50K expected over the four days.

[Wayne_Kozun]

Nothing against Lytham, but it might be fun to see courses that aren't on the open rota.  I know there is more prestige for the Women's Tour when they play courses on the open rota, but giving the golf fan the chance to see great courses, like Walton Heath, that won't ever hold the Open would be great.  What other great courses could be interesting venues?  Swinley Forest?  St. George's Hill? Rye?


What about courses in Northern Ireland other than Royal Portrush?

[Jim Sherma]

Are we sure that Lytham is still in the Rota?

[Wayne_Kozun]

Maybe not, but it held the Open as recently as 11 years ago. 

[Mark Chaplin]

Wayne - the golf course at Rye would be suitable for actually playing the event but nothing else about the site is suitable.
Swinley Forest would be too short for the elite ladies.
I was surprised at the amount of infrastructure set up at Walton Heath along with the park and ride which was well organised

[Wayne_Kozun]

Wayne - the golf course at Rye would be suitable for actually playing the event but nothing else about the site is suitable.
Swinley Forest would be too short for the elite ladies.
I was surprised at the amount of infrastructure set up at Walton Heath along with the park and ride which was well organised

Thanks Mark.  I would just like the opportunity to see on TV some of these courses that we hear a lot about.  I realize that logistics are an issue, but they tend to be way easier for LPGA events as the crowds are much smaller than for mens events, and almost all of the courses are long enough to handle the women as most of the courses do get to 6300 yards or so.