'Moments like these'

St Andrews’ majesty is a source of great pride for both golfers and Scottish people alike. For Scottish golfers, no other sporting arena even comes close to the venerable links.

That is certainly the case for Aberdeen’s Gemma Dryburgh, who will this week compete at the home of golf as a professional for the first time.

She said: “When I was on that 1st tee at the practise rounds, it's like, ‘this is why you practise all those hours when it's freezing cold [and] raining outside’. This is why it's all worth it, for moments like these.

“Ever since I started playing I always thought it would be amazing to play at St Andrews. There’s so much history wrapped up in St Andrews – it’s every golfer’s dream to play here, let alone a Scottish golfer.

“It will mean a lot.”

She continued: “Watching Lorena [Ochoa, below] win at St Andrews is probably one of my strongest memories growing up because she’s a hero of mine. I just loved the way she played and her attitude.

“When Lorena won, that's probably one of the most inspirational moments from my childhood, watching women's golf.”

Scottish golf has been well and truly thrust into the limelight this summer.

Robert MacIntyre, from Oban, followed his historic first PGA TOUR win at the RBC Canadian Open – his dad on the bag – by winning the Genesis Scottish Open at The Renaissance Club.

Just four days after this popular victory, Royal Troon played host to a thrilling Open, as Xander Schauffele [below] cut through the field on the final day to pick up his second major of the year.

Now St Andrews – the home of golf – is set for its moment in the sun.

Dryburgh said: “You want to see Scotland up in lights and keep that Scottish flag flying high. I was lucky enough to play my first AIG Women’s Open at Troon. Even though it was during Covid times, it was still so special.

“Having big golfing events in Scotland is fantastic. Some of the members of my club are coming to watch me at St Andrews so that will be great.

“All the Americans I speak to are always talking about how much they want to go over and play in Scotland. With The Open at Troon last month and now the AIG Women’s Open at St Andrews, I’m sure the golf industry in Scotland is booming right now.”

Dryburgh’s only previous experience of playing the famous Old Course, as a teenager, was somewhat scuppered by her own father.

“I was 13 or 14 at the time, but I broke my handicap so I was very happy with that,” she began.

“I remember on 17 my dad gave me a line off the forward tees. I hit it straight over his line … and straight into the garden of the Old Course hotel! Hopefully I won’t do that again this year!”

Dryburgh’s best return in a major was an 8th-place finish at the Amundi Evian Championship last year. Her best major performance of this year came in France once more as she finished in a tie for 17th.

With strong winds forecast for the weekend, Dryburgh believes her low ball flight and penchant for bump-and-run shots might give her a slight edge – but she says she is still learning how to fully get to grips with major week.

She said: “The more experience you get of majors, the better.

“The US Women’s Open this year was a bit different to what I’d played before, with the long rough, but that’s what you come to expect from majors. They’re all difficult in their own way. You can’t put a foot wrong, and I guess you need that experience.

“But the opportunity to compete with the best in the world on the biggest stage on a regular basis is an absolute privilege.”

With elite-level golf and a world-class field guaranteed, the sporting aspect of the year’s final major is locked in.

Yet there will be so much more going on at St Andrews than the on-course action. The Festival Village is designed to generate a fun, vibrant and welcoming atmosphere.

It will host golf lessons with a PGA professional, a Mastercard Megaputt, Foot Golf, shopping, bars, food trucks from a range of diverse vendors and a Sessions Stage, featuring interactive golf sessions and some legends of the game.

The off-course entertainment will be headlined by a Tom Grennan [below] concert on Saturday night – and Dryburgh welcomes this unique twist.

She said: “I went to Ellie Goulding at Walton Heath last year and I absolutely loved it. I think this kind of thing will just grow and grow.

“I’ve been to Wentworth a few times and they always have a concert afterwards. It just means there will be such a good vibe around the place.

“It might introduce new people to golf, too. People that are only coming for Tom Grennan might get there early to watch the golf and find that they really enjoy it.

“I think it will bring in new crowds and a more diverse crowd, and that can only be a good thing.”