Gemma Dryburgh took a walk around the Old Course last Sunday but didn’t have a tee time. She played the New Course and got reacquainted with the town before it begins to bustle for next week’s AIG Women’s British Open.
“I have only actually played it once,” said Dryburgh of her experience on the Old Course. “So I have not played it as many times as people might think.”
Dryburgh, who hails from Aberdeen, is the only Scot currently playing full-time on the LPGA. It’s a big fortnight for the 31-year-old, who not only wants to repeat Bob MacIntyre’s feat of winning the Scottish Open and make a run at the Old, but also solidify her spot on this year’s European Solheim Cup team. These are the last two events left to qualify for the biennial event. Dryburgh made her Solheim debut last year in Spain where Europe retained the Cup.
“It’s probably in my own hands,” said Dryburgh. “If I have a good two weeks, I think I’ll be on the team. But we’ll see. It’s up to Suzann (Pettersen) and the other captains, obviously.”
Dryburgh, who played collegiate golf at Tulane, broke through with her first LPGA title at the 2022 Toto Japan Classic. Currently 80th in the Rolex Rankings, she has rebounded from a string of four missed cuts with top-20 finishes at both the Amundi Evian and CPKC Women’s Open.
At this week’s ISPS Handa Women’s Scottish Open, Drybrugh will be paired with recent gold-medal winner Lydia Ko and defending champion Celine Boutier in the first two rounds.
The 2024 Solheim Cup will be held Sept. 13-15 in Gainesville, Virginia, at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Club. The Americans haven’t won a Solheim since 2017. Team Europe will be made up of the top two finishers on the Solheim Cup points list (currently Charley Hull and Linn Grant) along with the top six in the Rolex Rankings not otherwise qualified. Pettersen will then have four captain’s picks.
Germany’s Esther Henseleit, who recently won silver in Paris, is also in the field at Ayrshire. She’s currently third on the points list, five points behind Grant. Stark and Alexandra Forsterling are not much further 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 Hall (40) occupying the rest of the six.
Once again, Henseleit is lurking just outside at No. 42. Should she be in need of a pick in two weeks, she’d surely be a lock after what transpired at the Summer Games.
Similarly, it’s hard to imagine Pettersen leaving Anna Nordqvist, a longtime European stalwart ranked 66th in the world, off the 12-player squad. She’s surely good for one of the four picks as well.
Here’s a look at what could be Pettersen’s shortlist heading down the stretch. Strong finishes in Scotland could propel a number of these players up the standings. The picks will be announced after the AIG.
Esther Henseleit holds up her silver at the medal ceremony at the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Le Golf National. (Katie Goodale-USA TODAY Sports)
Rolex Ranking: 42
Solheim Cup points: 3rd
Of Note: This would be the Olympic silver medalist’s Solheim Cup debut.
Anna Nordqvist of Team Europe interacts with young fans during practice prior to the Solheim Cup at Finca Cortesin Golf Club on September 20, 2023 in Casares, Spain. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
Rolex Ranking: 66
Of note: Veteran of eight Solheim Cups, with a 15-13-3 record, is once again a vice captain for Pettersen.
Albane Valenzuela plays her shot from the 11th tee during the first round of the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship golf tournament at Congressional Country Club. Mandatory Credit: Scott Taetsch-USA TODAY Sports
Rolex Ranking: No. 69
Of note: Posted a career-best finish, a solo second, in Thailand earlier this year. Currently 37th in CME points.
Alexandra Forsterling (courtesy Aramco Team Series)
Rolex Ranking: 75
Solheim points: 5th
Of note: A four-time winner on the LET over the past two seasons.
Perrine Delacour of France poses with the Olympic rings on the 18th hole during a practice round ahead of the Women’s Individual Stroke Play on day ten of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Le Golf National on August 05, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
Rolex Ranking: 78
Of note: Notched a win earlier this season at the Dormy Open Helsingborg.
Gemma Dryburgh of Team Europe reacts on the 12th green during Day One of The Solheim Cup at Finca Cortesin Golf Club on September 22, 2023 in Casares, Spain. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
Rolex Ranking: 80
Of note: Two top-17 finishes in her last four LPGA starts. Played on last year’s Euro team.
Jodi Ewart Shadoff (ENG) drives off the first tee during the third round of The Chevron Championship golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Rolex ranking: 94
Of note: Needs something special to happen after missing her last four cuts on LPGA. Veteran of three Cups.
Emily Kristine Pedersen of Team Europe reacts to a putt on the 15th green during Day Two of The Solheim Cup at Finca Cortesin Golf Club on September 23, 2023 in Casares, Spain. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
Rolex Ranking: 95
Of note: A captain’s pick for Pettersen last year who showed up big in Spain, even making an ace.
Nanna Koerstz Madsen reacts after playing her shot on the 16th tee during the first round of the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship golf tournament at Congressional Country Club. Mandatory Credit: Scott Taetsch-USA TODAY Sports
Rolex Ranking: 105
Of note: She’ll need a magical run to make her second Solheim Cup appearance.
Linnea Strom celebrates with the trophy after winning the ShopRite LPGA Classic Presented by Acer at Seaview Bay Course on June 09, 2024 in Galloway, New Jersey. (Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images)
Rolex Ranking: 108
Of note: The only European player to win on the LPGA this season.
Bronte Law, 24, Team Europe. (Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
Rolex Ranking: 124
Of note: Currently tops the LET’s money list with seven top-20 finishes this season on that tour, including a win.
Morgane Metraux of Switzerland on No. 3 in the third round of women’s individual stroke play during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Le Golf National. Mandatory Credit: Katie Goodale-USA TODAY Sports
Rolex Ranking: 125
Of note: Made an impressive run at the Paris Olympics but ultimately finished off the podium. Won once on the LET this season.
Caroline Hedwall of Team Europe plays a shot during practice prior to the The Solheim Cup at Finca Cortesin Golf Club on September 20, 2023 in Casares, Spain. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
Rolex Ranking: 185
Of note: Hedwall was ranked 121st last year when Pettersen picked her, and she put forth a remarkable performance. Has a handful of top 10s this year but is well behind her peers in the rankings.
