Weaver secures AIGWO return

Lindsey Weaver will have the opportunity to make more headlines at the AIG Women’s Open after topping the leaderboard in Final Qualifying at Panmure.

Weaver caught the eye at Royal Troon last year when, operating without a caddie amid heightened COVID-19 restrictions, she mounted a strong challenge over the first three rounds and produced one of the shots of the Champonship – a spectacular chip-in at the 12th.

A 75 in the final round ended the American’s challenge as she slipped back into a tie for 19th, but Weaver will now be back in the field for Carnoustie following her superb display on Monday.

Playing in the first group, Weaver shot a three-under 67 at Panmure to move to the top of the leaderboard, a position she retained for the rest of the day to lead the 15 qualifiers.

“It’s a tricky golf course but I managed to get used to it,” she said. “We were first out, played in three hours, so it was nice to get out there and get it done.

“I had a good week at Troon last year and hopefully the same this time.”

Aditi Ashok also booked an immediate return to the AIG Women’s Open with a two-under 68, while Nicole Broch Larsen, Ssu Chia Cheng, Magdalena Simmermacher, Johanna Gustavsson and Australian amateur Kirsten Rudgeley progressed with scores of 69.

Level-par 70s were enough for Gemma Dryburgh, Trichat Cheenglab, Paula Reto and Cloe Frankish, while the remaining four places were determined in a nine-person play-off.

After Muni He, Marissa Steen and Agathe Sauzon had respectively qualified at the second, third and fourth extra holes, Thailand’s Pannarat Thanapolboonyaras sealed the final spot in the 144-player field by pipping Annabell Fuller at the fifth play-off hole.

Fuller at least has the consolation of heading the reserve list, ahead of fellow play-off competitors Becky Morgan, Dottie Ardina and Nicole Garcia. Emma Grechi was the only play-off participant not to either qualify or make the reserve list.