Women's Open: Lee and Green lead Aussie pack at St Andrews

The AIG Women's Open is set to get underway at St Andrews and there are a number of Australian golfers hoping to shine on the famous Scottish course.

It is the final major championship to be played on the women’s calendar and, many would argue, the most prestigious.

Karrie Webb is the only Australian woman to have won the British Open, taking the title way back in 2002 and Australia's finest will be looking to break that drought in 2024.

The competition will of course be fierce and the USA's Nelly Korda looks like the player to beat, along with New Zealander Lydia Ko, who recently claimed gold at the Olympics in Paris.

World number one Korda has had an incredible 2024 season and will be out to add a third major title to her CV.

Another American, Lilia Vu, who won the title in 2023, is also back to defend her crown.

However, several Australians could also be in the mix, so let's take a look at who could upset the form book and bring the title back down under.

Hannah Green

Hannah Green is currently the highest ranked Australian in the world rankings, having jumped up to fifth position and above Minjee Lee.

The 27-year-old is enjoying a stellar 2024 season and will look to carry that form into St Andrews, having won the Women's PGA Championship back in 2019.

This year she has won the HSBC Women's World Championship in March and followed that up with a victory at the JM Eagle LA Championship.

Her best finish at the AIG Women's Open was T16 in 2019 and she will be looking to improve on that this time around.

Minjee Lee

The 28-year-old Minjee Lee is viewed as Australia's best hope heading into the AIG Women's Open.

She has two major titles to her name already and, although the British Open has so far eluded her, Lee has a good record at the tournament.

Her best finish at the AIG Women’s Open came in 2020 at Royal Troon when she finished third, while she has finished in the top five in three of the last four years and will be hoping to be in the mix once again.

Lee, the 2021 Evian Championship winner and 2022 US Women's Open champion, is currently ranked 14th in the world and should be a contender at St Andrews.

Gabriela Ruffels

Twenty-four-year-old Gabriela Ruffels is enjoying an impressive rookie season on the LPGA Tour, having made the cut at every major championship in 2024.

Making the cut once again at St Andrews will be viewed as a big success as she looks to make progress on the women's circuit.

Steph Kyriacou

Steph Kyriacou has an impressive record at the AIG Women's Open since turning professional in 2020 and will be out to have another big week.

The 23-year-old finished T13 at Carnoustie in 2021 and then improved further at Muirfield in 2022 when finishing T7.

Kyriacou clearly enjoys Scotland and links golf and could be a dark horse to go well once again at St Andrews.

Grace Kim

Garce Kim is currently ranked 73rd in the world and has made great progress since turning professional at the end of 2021.

The 23-year-old has impressed in 2024, recording three top-10 finishes since June and was runner-up in the Meijer LPGA Classic.