5 things to know about the 2024 AIG Women's British Open at St. Andrews, where the wind could get nasty

For many in the field of 156, this week marks their first time playing the Old Course at St. Andrews. That includes many of the world's top players, including 2023 champion Lilia Vu. It's a week of awe, excitement and practice rounds that turn into cram sessions, with so much to learn in varying winds.

This marks the first Women's British Open since 1979 that Laura Davies is not in the field. The LPGA legend decided not to play in her final exempt year in what was to be her LPGA sendoff. She will instead be in the commentator's box for Sky Sports, calling the action.

With potentially horrific wind in the forecast, there will be plenty to talk about.

Here are five things to look for in the third women's major ever contested over the Old Course.

AIG Women's Open: Thursday tee times

A wee start

Charley Hull first came to St. Andrews at age nine as part of the HSBC Wee Wonders. She didn't play the Old Course then, but it was her first introduction to the town's history. She came to watch Tiger Woods compete in an Open Championship here in 2010 and stayed with the late Sir Michael Bonallack while competing in the St. Rule Trophy.

The invitation came about after Hull became friends with Bonallack's daughter at her home club of Woburn.

Hull competed in her first AIG Women's British Open as a professional at age 17 over the Old Course in 2013, a week made even more memorable when she made her first Solheim Cup team.

"it is a really special place," said Hull, "and I really like the pies on the halfway house. But they didn't have them here yesterday; I was gutted."

Hull has traditionally enjoyed parkland courses more than links because it's easier to see the lines and the shape of the shot on tree-lined courses. A few weeks ago, her swing coach had her working on three-quarter swings because hers had gotten a little bit too long.

"Now I kind of understand why he's got me working on the three-quarters because he's just kind of introduced me to get a low ball flight for these couple of weeks coming up for the links," said Hull, who finished fifth last week at the Scottish Open. "So I think you've just got to be patient out there."

Last in

A dozen players played their way into the field at St. Andrews through Final Qualifying on Monday. A total of 92 players teed it up at Craighead Links at Crail Golfing Society. Weiwei Zhang of China led the field with a 6-under 67. She finished one shot ahead of Casandra Alexander, Annabell Fuller, Kristen Gillman and Emma Grechi, who carded 68s to finish in a tie for second.

Lauren Hartlage, Noora Komulainen, Lee-Anne Pace and Patricia Schmidt shot 70 to play their way in and the remaining three spots were determined in a sudden-death playoff between 12 players.

Jodi Ewart Shadoff, Stephanie Meadow and Ursula Wikstrom shored up the final three positions.

Brutal test

This week could be an epic challenge if the week's forecast holds true. In addition to heavy rain on Thursday, winds are expected to gust up to 35 to 40 mph, with a 10 percent chance of it gusting up to 50 mph.

Friday will have more rain, with the potential of strong winds in the afternoon. There will be sun on the weekend, mixed with showers, with occasional strong winds.

The last time the Women's British was held at St. Andrews, the third round was scrapped due to heavy wind and the field played 36 holes on Sunday without re-pairing.

Trophy sendoff

The famed Dunvegan holds a special place in this championship, having hosted both Lorena Ochoa and Stacy Lewis in their respective victories at the Old Course.

While Lewis and her family are once again staying at the popular bar and hotel, 2023 AIG champion Lilia Vu stopped by on Sunday for a final send-off of the trophy. She enjoyed soaking up all the memorabilia at the corner hangout, which is covered in photos from men's and women's British Open championships.

Vu played the Old Course for the first time on Monday alongside world No. 1 Nelly Korda, taking photos on the Swilcan Bridge both yesterday and today.

"I got sick from the Olympics," said Vu of her current form. "So I was sick all last week. It was kind of hard to recover, this cold and rain, but I love it here."

Every defending champion since 2019 has missed the cut in their title defense.

One last go

Karrie Webb threw out her yardage book after the 2013 AIG, convinced she wouldn't play another championship over the Old Course. But she couldn't pass up another opportunity at the Home of Golf, committing to play in January even though it meant she'd be at the Olympics for several weeks ahead of the event, unable to practice. This marks Webb's first appearance in the event since 2019. The 49-year-old is exempt into the field until age 60.

Nine former champions who are still exempt are not playing this year, including Laura Davies (1986), Sherri Steinhauer (1998, 1999, 2006), Se Ri Pak (2001), Annika Sorenstam (2003), Karen Stupples (2004), Jeong Jang (2005), Lorena Ochoa (2007), Mo Martin (2014) and Inbee Park (2015).

Webb tied for 28th in 2007 at the Old Course and missed the cut in 2013. A three-time winner of this event, Webb is one of 13 former champions in the field. She'll play alongside two other former champions, Stacy Lewis and Catriona Matthew, in the first two rounds.

"I think what I love about it takes me out of my technical mind and gets me being more creative and hitting shots that you don't normally hit," said Webb. "And I don't think judging the wind is as precise as it can be on the other golf courses. I think just here it's all feel and visualizing different shots."

This article originally appeared on Golfweek: 5 things to know about the 2024 AIG Women's British Open at St. Andrews, where the wind could get nasty