A momentous week at Muirfield — Links golf tips from PGA Pros — Must-click women’s golf links
By Addie Parker
The IX: Golf Thursday with Addie Parker, August 4, 2022
I know, I know, another week talking about another major but we’re blessed, golf fans, we get FIVE of them and I’d be foolish to discuss anything else this week. Before I talk about how this tournament, at this course, is so amazing for women’s golf, I have to talk about the discriminatory nature of Muirfield.
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As of six years ago, women were barred from being members, and it was only after the R&A stated that it will “not stage the Championship at a venue that does not admit women as members” did they vote to change the rule.
The first 16 Open Championships were played at Muirfield, and it would have been a shame had they let ego and misogyny get in the way of their legacy.
I’ll follow in the footsteps of Catriona Matthew, who told the media on Tuesday, “I think you just have to look forward and not backward. I think it’s great to come here. Obviously over the last 10 years, we started going to all the Open venues that, over the last 50, 60 years, you’ve seen the men playing in. I think that just elevates this championship and we are now going to courses that people are used to seeing the Open and the majors on. I think it’s good for us.” Matthew grew up not far from Muirfield and even volunteered at a few of the Open Championships held at the iconic course will also hit the first tee shot to start the tournament (she will have already hit the shot hours before you even read this).
Although Catriona Matthew is right about looking ahead, we must also remind ourselves that women’s golf has been around a lot longer than 1950 (the year the LPGA was founded), and the fact that we are still dealing with courses barring women from being members is beyond absurd.
Now, let’s rejoice in present, and think about what this moment will do for our future.
Like Catriona’s quote, this is a good thing for the game. Hell, it’s great, even!
In the few chats I’ve had with tour players, some of the golf courses that they play aren’t what you’d imagine the world’s best to be competing on. Dry and patchy fairways, slow and bumpy greens, and rough that may as well be considered weeds. Beyond the money, the sponsorships, the TV coverage, and all the other B.S. these women put up with, we finally get to see them playing the best courses in the world, that mean so much to us as golf fans.
The greats that have conquered Muirfield are names like Faldo, Nicklaus, Watson, Ernie, Phil, and Player. It’s a place that even defeated Tiger in his prime, and now a woman will be able to cement her name where Hall of Famers have battled those difficult Scottish golf conditions.
On top of an elite venue, this week’s AIG Women’s Open has also upped the purse to $7.3 million, with the winner taking home $1,095,000. All the majors, with the exception of the Chevron Championship, have awarded seven-figure prizes for first place.
The final major of the 2022 season couldn’t have come with a sweeter ending. This is literally why I love writing about this game. We are witnessing women’s golf ascend to heights we’ve always hoped it would reach, and I couldn’t be happier as a player, a fan, and a writer.
I hope you tune into the history that will be made, see you next week.
“I avoid looking back. I prefer good memories to regrets.”
Grace Kelly
This week in women’s golf
If you have links you wish to share for Golf Thursday, sources for golf news, or want to talk about anything at all, you can email me at addieparker25@gmail.com ! Discussion of any kind is always welcome…I mean it…MESSAGE ME!
LPGA News
I hate not being able to talk about this, but this is what links are for…Ayaka Furue fires course-record 62, captures first LPGA victory at Trust Golf Women’s Scottish Open!!!!! A course record, in a final round, on Sunday for your first tour victory…no big deal!!!!
If you were expecting Muirfield predictions, SORRY, but this Golfweek list is pretty satisfactory.
Last year’s Women’s Open champ, Anna Nordqvist, described winning her third major as her ‘biggest childhood dream’, and I don’t blame her.
Brooke Henderson, fresh off second major win, calls Muirfield her favorite links course yet…the field should be scared…LOL
LET News
Three weeks ago, Johanna Gustavsson was getting ready to caddy for her husband Alex Wrigley after he qualified for The 150th Open, but now it’s the Swede’s turn to tee it up at the AIG Women’s Open.
After winning the 2021 Race to Costa del Sol on the LET last year, Thailand’s Atthaya Thitikul is ready to battle on a links course once again as she prepares to tee it up in the 2022 AIG Women’s Open at Muirfield.
Ladies European Tour Star Amy Boulden Signs With Motocaddy!
Epson Tour News
Mike Nichols, the man who transformed the Epson Tour, is leaving the LPGA.
Get to know last week’s FireKeepers Casino Hotel Championship winner Xiaowen Yin, and what went through her head during the one-hole playoff.
This week’s tournament is the French Lick Charity Classic in French Lick, Indiana. It’s a record-breaking week for the Road to the LPGA, where players will compete in a 72-hole, stroke-play format for $335,000 and a winner’s share of $50,250. This week’s purse marks the biggest in Epson Tour history, about $135,000 more than the average tournament.
NCAA News
My fellow Gen Zers are making me proud! The AJGA’s 2022 Impact Cup is a charity tournament for mental health awareness and they raised almost $100,000 last week!!!
Other News
Check this out!!!!!
From khaki shorts to pleated skorts, the evolution of women’s golf fashion.
Arizona golf courses use more water than they’re supposed to. Nothing is stopping them.
PODCAST: Golf creator Tisha Alyn explains the highs and lows of being a social-media personality.
Five at The IX: PGA TOUR Players speak on Muirfield and Breaking Barriers
Not quite five minutes, but only a few seconds past…well worth it though!
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