The St Rule Trophy at St Andrews will welcome more women golfers in 2026, expanding its field from 60 to 72 players. This move comes as interest and participation in women’s amateur golf continue to rise.
Record Applications Signal Strong Interest
St Andrews Links Trust announced the expansion following a surge in applications, with 127 golfers vying for a spot in the 2025 event, up from 92 in 2022. The handicap cut-off for entry also rose, indicating a more competitive field, moving from +1.6 to +3.0 over three years. These trends highlight growing depth and talent in women’s golf.
Event Format and Path to the Pros
Scheduled for 30-31 May 2026, the competition features 54 holes of stroke play—two rounds on the New Course and the final round on the historic Old Course. The overall winner takes home the St Rule Trophy, while the Lawson Trophy goes to the leading player aged 18 or under. The event also forms part of the AIG Women’s Open Amateur Series, giving top players a possible route to qualify for the AIG Women’s Open.
Notable past champions include Catriona Matthew and Annika Sorenstam. Matthew emphasised the importance of the expanded field in helping support more elite female amateurs.
Broader Efforts to Grow Women’s Golf
As hosts, St Andrews Links Trust invests in several initiatives for women and junior players. Their Ladies Learn & Play programme offers skills and on-course sessions to build confidence in the game, and the St Andrews Links Junior Golf Association now engages more than 400 young golfers each year—a third of whom are girls.
Opportunities for Competitors
Female amateurs with a handicap of 2.4 or lower can enter the St Rule Trophy, with entries closing on April 20, 2026. The Trust’s commitment to promoting and growing women’s golf is clear through both the expansion of the field and ongoing community programmes.
To find out more visit www.standrews.com.
