A fascinating AIG Women’s Open subplot is playing out at St Andrews

When Gemma Dryburgh pitched up at the Old Course this week, she had more than just an AIG Women’s Open in mind. 

It has not escaped the attention of the world’s best players from both sides of the Atlantic that there is a bigger picture at play here at St Andrews.

The small matter of a Solheim Cup looms large on the horizon, which means some of those already out of contention this weekend are still battling on these hollowed grounds like their life depends on it.

“Hopefully a good week here will maybe get me a pick,” Dryburgh said on Wednesday, eyeing a wildcard pick from the European captain Suzanne Pettersen. “I’m dying to be there.”

• AIG Women’s Open hopeful disqualified after caddie blunder

• R&A announces record AIG Women’s Open prize money

Such pre-tournament desperation would only add to the lingering disappointment of a missed cut for the 31-year-old from Aberdeen.

Dryburgh, who made her debut in last year’s draw at Finca Cortesin, shot an opening 79 on Thursday in conditions she described as “barely playable”. It was her sixth missed cut in nine.

But as Dryburgh faltered on the windswept links, another hopeful has seized her chance.

Albane Valenzuela, the 26-year-old Swiss, shot one of the rounds of the week on a blustery Saturday morning that was bound to catch captain Pettersen’s eye.

Valenzuela’s sublime bogey-free 66 helped her surge over 50 places up the leaderboard after making Friday’s cut line on the number.

“Solheim is a big one, but I’m just outside on the bubble,” the world No.68 admitted afterwards. “I just told myself ‘good golf will take care of itself’. That’s all I can do. There are so many great players. It’s super competitive to be on that team. All I can do is just do my best.”

There can be no disputing Valenzuela’s efforts on Saturday.

• Lexi Thompson opens up on post-retirement plans

• Stacy Lewis has plan to stop Solheim Cup stalemates

The Olympic silver medallist Esther Henseleit, meanwhile, also matched Valenzuela’s magnificent score. The hugely impressive German will make her rookie Solheim Cup appearance next month after moving into the automatic spots in the European list – where two players qualify.

“It was my first time playing the Old Course and there’s just so much history here,” Henseleit, 25, beamed after making a similar leap to just outside the top ten. Every time I’m looking down 18, I’m just looking around and enjoying it. It’s amazing to be here.”

Henseleit, 25, is already safely in, but Pettersen’s four captain’s picks are yet to be finalised.

Charley Hull, Celine Boutier, Maja Stark, Linn Grant, Leona Maguire, Carlota Ciganda and Madelene Sagstrom are also all certainties for next month’s showdown against the United States after forming a strong European spine last year.

Georgia Hall’s experience will also surely be invaluable in an away match at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club. Another close challenger for a wildcard, Anna Nordqvist, hasn’t missed a Solheim Cup since 2009.

For those less heralded, however, one final opportunity knocks.

The long-hitting Dane Emily Pedersen missed the cut at +11 here and there is a chance that could foil her wildcard hopes, while other outsiders have failed to make a serious move.

But a week is a long time in golf and after Valenzuela’s magic Saturday, Pettersen has more food for thought while watching Sunday’s denouement.

Pettersen will name her wildcard quartet for the duel in Virginia on Monday, just hours after this week’s AIG Women’s Open champion is anointed.

Ben Parsons joined bunkered as a Content Producer in 2023 and is the man to come to for all of the latest news, across both the professional and amateur games. Formerly of The Mirror and Press Association, he is a member at Halifax Golf Club and is a long-suffering fan of both Manchester United and the Wales rugby team.