'This is natural, raw golf': What players are saying about the brutal conditions at the Old Course
22/08/2024 18:42
ST. ANDREWS, Scotland – Rose Zhang hit driver, 3-wood on the 375-yard opening hole at the Old Course on Thursday. Zhang, one of 32 players competing over the historic links for the first time at the AIG Women’s British Open, got the full experience on a blustery day in the Kingdom of Fife.
Leader Ruoning Yin had only seen the Old Course previously in video games, when she’d take on the character of Tiger Woods. Turns out she’s quite good at getting around St. Andrews as herself in real life, too.
The morning wave saw winds consistently blow 30-35 mph, with gusts up to 39 mph. The winds reduced some in the afternoon, but pace of play was glacial as backing off the ball became routine.
Yin credited her fine play to her attitude, noting that she tried to make the wind her friend.
England’s Georgia Hall, a former British Open champion, was pleased that officials didn’t stop play, noting how much she loves these conditions. Hall praised the R&A for slowing down the greens.
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“This is a true Women’s Open like this,” she said, “and I believe that’s how it should be every day.”
Here’s what players had to say about a challenging Day 1 on the Old Course:
