Gemma Dryburgh took a stroll across the Previous Course final Sunday however didn’t have a tee time. She performed the New Course and acquired reacquainted with the city earlier than it begins to bustle for subsequent week’s AIG Girls’s British Open.
“I’ve solely truly performed it as soon as,” mentioned Dryburgh of her expertise on the Previous Course. “So I’ve not performed it as many instances as individuals would possibly suppose.”
Dryburgh, who hails from Aberdeen, is the one Scot presently enjoying full-time on the LPGA. It’s a giant fortnight for the 31-year-old, who not solely desires to repeat Bob MacIntyre’s feat of profitable the Scottish Open and make a run on the Previous, but additionally solidify her spot on this 12 months’s European Solheim Cup group. These are the final two occasions left to qualify for the biennial occasion. Dryburgh made her Solheim debut final 12 months in Spain the place Europe retained the Cup.
“It’s most likely in my very own arms,” mentioned Dryburgh. “If I’ve a superb two weeks, I believe I’ll be on the group. However we’ll see. It’s as much as Suzann (Pettersen) and the opposite captains, clearly.”
Dryburgh, who performed collegiate golf at Tulane, broke by means of along with her first LPGA title on the 2022 Toto Japan Traditional. Presently eightieth within the Rolex Rankings, she has rebounded from a string of 4 missed cuts with top-20 finishes at each the Amundi Evian and CPKC Girls’s Open.
At this week’s ISPS Handa Girls’s Scottish Open, Drybrugh shall be paired with latest gold-medal winner Lydia Ko and defending champion Celine Boutier within the first two rounds.
The 2024 Solheim Cup shall be held Sept. 13-15 in Gainesville, Virginia, on the Robert Trent Jones Golf Membership. The People haven’t received a Solheim since 2017. Crew Europe shall be made up of the highest two finishers on the Solheim Cup factors checklist (presently Charley Hull and Linn Grant) together with the highest six within the Rolex Rankings not in any other case certified. Pettersen will then have 4 captain’s picks.
Germany’s Esther Henseleit, who just lately received silver in Paris, can be within the subject at Ayrshire. She’s presently third on the factors checklist, 5 factors behind Grant. Stark and Alexandra Forsterling should not a lot additional behind.
Boutier (No. 7) and Stark (No. 23) look primed to get in off the rankings with Leona Maguire (31), Carlota Ciganda (33), Madelene Sagstrom (35) and Georgia Corridor (40) occupying the remainder of the six.
As soon as once more, Henseleit is lurking simply outdoors at No. 42. Ought to she be in want of a decide in two weeks, she’d certainly be a lock after what transpired on the Summer time Video games.
Equally, it’s exhausting to think about Pettersen leaving Anna Nordqvist, a longtime European stalwart ranked 66th on this planet, off the 12-player squad. She’s certainly good for one of many 4 picks as nicely.
Right here’s a take a look at what could possibly be Pettersen’s shortlist heading down the stretch. Sturdy finishes in Scotland might propel numerous these gamers up the standings. The picks shall be introduced after the AIG.
Rolex Rating: 42
Solheim Cup factors: third
Of Word: This is able to be the Olympic silver medalist’s Solheim Cup debut.
Rolex Rating: 66
Of observe: Veteran of eight Solheim Cups, with a 15-13-3 document, is as soon as once more a vice captain for Pettersen.
Rolex Rating: No. 69
Of observe: Posted a career-best end, a solo second, in Thailand earlier this 12 months. Presently thirty seventh in CME factors.
Rolex Rating: 75
Solheim factors: fifth
Of observe: A four-time winner on the LET over the previous two seasons.
Rolex Rating: 78
Of observe: Notched a win earlier this season on the Dormy Open Helsingborg.
Rolex Rating: 80
Of observe: Two top-17 finishes in her final 4 LPGA begins. Performed on final 12 months’s Euro group.
Rolex rating: 94
Of observe: Wants one thing particular to occur after lacking her final 4 cuts on LPGA. Veteran of three Cups.
Rolex Rating: 95
Of observe: A captain’s decide for Pettersen final 12 months who confirmed up large in Spain, even making an ace.
Rolex Rating: 105
Of observe: She’ll want a magical run to make her second Solheim Cup look.
Rolex Rating: 108
Of observe: The one European participant to win on the LPGA this season.
Rolex Rating: 124
Of observe: Presently tops the LET’s cash checklist with seven top-20 finishes this season on that tour, together with a win.
Rolex Rating: 125
Of observe: Made a formidable run on the Paris Olympics however finally completed off the rostrum. Received as soon as on the LET this season.
Rolex Rating: 185
Of observe: Hedwall was ranked 121st final 12 months when Pettersen picked her, and he or she put forth a exceptional efficiency. Has a handful of prime 10s this 12 months however is nicely behind her friends within the rankings.