Ahead of the 2024 AIG Women's Open, Catriona Matthew has announced that this will be her final time playing the Major.
Catriona Matthew, the Scottish golf legend and 2009 AIG Women’s Open Champion, has announced that this year's AIG Women's Open at St Andrews will mark her final appearance in the prestigious tournament. This decision brings an end to a remarkable Major career spanning over three decades.
Reflecting on her decision, Matthew said, "I think this will be the last time I play in this event. I think just you want to be, not like I have no illusion, I'm not going to be winning the event but I think a goal for me this week would be to try and make the cut. You don't want to come and keep playing in the event when you're not competitive. It just felt being in St Andrews, in Scotland, the Home of Golf, what better place to play my last one."
Matthew's journey with the AIG Women’s Open is deeply personal. As a Scot, playing at St Andrews, often referred to as the "Home of Golf," holds special significance. "It's a really special week. Obviously being Scottish, being British, growing up, the AIG Women's Open was the one you wanted to win. If you were going to win a major, this is the one you wanted to win. It was your dream, holing that putt to win this event," Matthew shared.
Elevation of the AIG Women's Open
Matthew has seen the evolution of the tournament firsthand. Her career began at a time when women’s golf was far from the global phenomenon it is today. "I first played in this event at Woburn maybe as an amateur back in about '94. So, I've seen it change hugely… I think certainly the foreign players love coming over and playing the courses. Once it started growing, 10 to15 years ago to The Open rota courses, I think it really elevated the event. Coming to play St Andrews, Troon, Lytham, Birkdale, all these ones, which put it on another level."
As Matthew prepares to tee off in her 30th and final AIG Women’s Open, she reflects on the memories and the changes she has witnessed in the sport. "I've seen a huge change. Obviously it's a major, but it's a huge event now. You can just see that just from all the infrastructure around it. The prize money has gone up hugely in the last probably five, six years, and it's kind of where it deserves to be."
Curtis Cup Captain
Beyond her personal journey, Matthew's presence at this year's championship is also a testament to the legacy she leaves behind. Her career highlights include not only winning the AIG Women’s Open in 2009, just 11 weeks after giving birth to her second daughter, but also inspiring the next generation of golfers. Next week she will Captain the GB&I at the Curtis Cup being played at Sunningdale, "I've been watching a lot of amateur golf… They are a great bunch, and we have a great team. We'll be big underdogs for that with the Americans but looking forward to it."
"Everything comes to an end"
Matthew’s Major farewell to the AIG Women’s Open is not just a closing chapter for her, but also a moment for the sport to reflect on the contributions of a true champion. As she contemplates her final walk across the Swilcan Bridge, an iconic symbol at St Andrews, she remains philosophical about her decision. "Yeah, I think probably in a way a little bit of a mixture of relief, knowing myself that this will be the last one I'm going to play in… But I've realised, you've just got to, at 55, you're not going to be competitive enough as I want to be. Everything comes to an end."
Catriona Matthew's final appearance at the AIG Women's Open will undoubtedly be a bittersweet moment for golf fans, especially those in Scotland, who have watched her career with admiration and pride. As she steps onto the course at St Andrews for the last time in this event, she does so not just as a player, but as a legend who has left an indelible mark on the sport.
Tickets, including limited hospitality options, are still on sale for the AIG Women’s Open and can be purchased via the AIG Women’s Open ticket page here.