The best women in the world are competing at Royal Troon in Scotland for the first time at this week’s AIG Women’s British Open.
The first LPGA major of the year brings in 144 players from 32 countries to a carefully constructed and sanitized bubble. While a number of top-10 players are missing from the field, two headliners – Inbee Park and Brooke Henderson – are making their return to the LPGA this week.
Staging a major with players from over the globe in the COVID-19 era is a victory for the women’s game. The fact that it’s on a classic course like Troon for the first time makes it all the more meaningful.
Sophia Popov
Sophia Popov holds up the trophy after winning the 2020 AIG Women's Open at Royal Troon.…
Sophia Popov holds up the trophy after winning the 2020 AIG Women's Open at Royal Troon. Photo by R&A via Getty Images
Sophia Popov
Sophia Popov holds up the trophy after winning the 2020 AIG Women's Open at Royal Troon.…
Sophia Popov holds up the trophy after winning the 2020 AIG Women's Open at Royal Troon. Photo by R&A - Handout/R&A via Getty Images
Sophia Popov
Sophia Popov holds up the trophy after winning the 2020 AIG Women's Open at Royal Troon.…
Sophia Popov holds up the trophy after winning the 2020 AIG Women's Open at Royal Troon. Photo by R&A - Handout/R&A via Getty Images
AIG Women's Open
The Women's Open trophy at the AIG Women's Open at Royal Troon on August 17, 2020…
The Women's Open trophy at the AIG Women's Open at Royal Troon on August 17, 2020 in Troon, Scotland. (Photo by R&A - Handout/R&A via Getty Images)
Sophia Popov
Sophia Popov at the 2020 AIG Women's Open at Royal Troon in Scotland. Photo by R&A…
Sophia Popov at the 2020 AIG Women's Open at Royal Troon in Scotland. Photo by R&A - Handout/R&A via Getty Images
Sophia Popov
Sophia Popov at the 2020 AIG Women's Open at Royal Troon in Scotland. Photo by R&A…
Sophia Popov at the 2020 AIG Women's Open at Royal Troon in Scotland. Photo by R&A - Handout/R&A via Getty Images
2020 AIG Women's Open - Day Three
Anna Nordqvist of Sweden tees off the 2nd hole during Day Three of the AIG Women's…
Anna Nordqvist of Sweden tees off the 2nd hole during Day Three of the AIG Women's Open 2020 at Royal Troon on August 22, 2020 in Troon, Scotland. (Photo by R&A - Handout/R&A via Getty Images)
2020 AIG Women's Open - Day Three
Kristen Gillman of The United States of America lines up a putt on the 13th green…
Kristen Gillman of The United States of America lines up a putt on the 13th green during Day Three of the AIG Women's Open 2020 at Royal Troon on August 22, 2020 in Troon, Scotland. (Photo by R&A - Handout/R&A via Getty Images)
2020 AIG Women's Open - Day Three
Daniela Holmqvist of Sweden speaks with an official after her ball got stuck on the bunker…
Daniela Holmqvist of Sweden speaks with an official after her ball got stuck on the bunker rake on the 8th hole during Day Three of the AIG Women's Open 2020 at Royal Troon on August 22, 2020 in Troon, Scotland. (Photo by R&A - Handout/R&A via Getty Images)
2020 AIG Women's Open - Day Three
Caroline Masson of Germany fist bumps her caddie James Longman on the 18th green during Day…
Caroline Masson of Germany fist bumps her caddie James Longman on the 18th green during Day Three of the AIG Women's Open 2020 at Royal Troon on August 22, 2020 in Troon, Scotland. (Photo by R&A - Handout/R&A via Getty Images)
2020 AIG Women's Open - Day Three
TROON, SCOTLAND - AUGUST 22: Lindsey Weaver of The United States of America prepares to plays…
TROON, SCOTLAND - AUGUST 22: Lindsey Weaver of The United States of America prepares to plays her third shot on the 2nd hole during Day Three of the AIG Women's Open 2020 at Royal Troon on August 22, 2020 in Troon, Scotland. (Photo by R&A - Handout/R&A via Getty Images)
AIG Women's Open
Sophia Popov reacts after playing her second shot on the 11th hole during Day Three of…
Sophia Popov reacts after playing her second shot on the 11th hole during Day Three of the AIG Women's Open 2020 at Royal Troon on August 22, 2020 in Troon, Scotland. Photo by R&A - Handout/R&A via Getty Images
AIG Women's Open
The AIG Women's British Open Trophy at the AIG Women's Open at Royal Troon on August…
The AIG Women's British Open Trophy at the AIG Women's Open at Royal Troon on August 17, 2020 in Troon, Scotland. (Photo by Jan Kruger/R&A/R&A via Getty Images)
AIG Women's Open
Dani Holmqvist plays her second shot on the 18th hole during Day Two of the AIG…
Dani Holmqvist plays her second shot on the 18th hole during Day Two of the AIG Women's Open 2020 at Royal Troon on August 21, 2020 in Troon, Scotland. (Photo by R&A - Handout/R&A via Getty Images)
AIG Women's Open
Sophia Popov plays a shot from the greenside bunker on the 2nd hole during day two…
Sophia Popov plays a shot from the greenside bunker on the 2nd hole during day two of the 2020 AIG Women's Open at Royal Troon on August 21, 2020 in Troon, Scotland. (Photo by R&A - Handout/R&A via Getty Images)
AIG Women's Open
Lydia Ko plays her second shot on the 6th during day two of the 2020 AIG…
Lydia Ko plays her second shot on the 6th during day two of the 2020 AIG Women's Open at Royal Troon on August 21, 2020 in Troon, Scotland. (Photo by R&A - Handout/R&A via Getty Images)
AIG Women's Open
Lindsey Weaver tees off from the 18th during day two of the 2020 AIG Women's Open…
Lindsey Weaver tees off from the 18th during day two of the 2020 AIG Women's Open at Royal Troon on August 21, 2020 in Troon, Scotland. (Photo by R&A - Handout/R&A via Getty Images)
AIG Women's Open
Lexi Thompson looks on on the 1st fairway during day two of the 2020 AIG Women's Open…
Lexi Thompson looks on on the 1st fairway during day two of the 2020 AIG Women's Open at Royal Troon on August 21, 2020 in Troon, Scotland. (Photo by R&A - Handout/R&A via Getty Images)
AIG Women's Open
Angel Yin of America shields herself with An umbrella from the strong winds and rain during…
Angel Yin of America shields herself with An umbrella from the strong winds and rain during Day One of the 2020 AIG Women's Open at Royal Troon on August 20, 2020 in Troon, Scotland. (Photo by R&A - Handout/R&A via Getty Images)
AIG Women's Open
The AIG Women's Open trophy at Royal Troon on August 17, 2020 in Troon, Scotland. (Photo…
The AIG Women's Open trophy at Royal Troon on August 17, 2020 in Troon, Scotland. (Photo by R&A - Handout/R&A via Getty Images)
AIG Women's Open
A view of the clubhouse from the 18th green during a practice round ahead of the…
A view of the clubhouse from the 18th green during a practice round ahead of the 2020 AIG Women's Open at Royal Troon on August 19, 2020 in Troon, Scotland. (Photo by R&A - Handout/R&A via Getty Images)
2020 AIG Women's Open
Charley Hull prepares to take a shot during a practice round ahead of the AIG Women's Open…
Charley Hull prepares to take a shot during a practice round ahead of the AIG Women's Open 2020 at Royal Troon in Troon, Scotland. (Photo by David Cannon/R&A/R&A via Getty Images)
AIG Women's Open
Georgia Hall speaks to Laura Davies of England during a practice round ahead of the 2020 AIG…
Georgia Hall speaks to Laura Davies of England during a practice round ahead of the 2020 AIG Women's Open at Royal Troon on August 19, 2020 in Troon, Scotland. (Photo by R&A - Handout/R&A via Getty Images)
AIG Women's Open
A view of the 18th green and clubhouse ahead of the AIG Women's Open at Royal…
A view of the 18th green and clubhouse ahead of the AIG Women's Open at Royal Troon on August 17, 2020 in Troon, Scotland. (Photo by R&A - Handout/R&A via Getty Images)
AIG Women's Open
Becky Morgan plays a tee shot on the 8th hole during a practice round ahead of…
Becky Morgan plays a tee shot on the 8th hole during a practice round ahead of the AIG Women's Open 2020 at Royal Troon on August 18, 2020 in Troon, Scotland. (Photo by R&A - Handout/R&A via Getty Images)
