Five years later, the course opens its doors for the fifth and final major of the women’s season, much to the delight of the participants.
It will be a special emotion for Scottish golfer Catriona Matthew who, in addition to having the opportunity to experience a major within a short drive from home, will go down in history as the first woman to play at Muirfield in a Women’s Open.
“It’s a great honor when you’re asked to do something like this,” Matthew, Open champion at Royal Lytham in 2009, he told reporters Tuesday.
“I think it will be a great experience … all the players will have seen the men play here over the years and I think they are delighted to have the opportunity to come here and play their own Open.
“This just elevates this championship and now we’re going to go to courses where people are used to seeing The Open and the majors. I think it’s good for us.”
The 52-year-old admitted she was “disappointed” by the initial vote to keep the male-only membership, but she believes the overthrow showed progress is being made.
“You just have to look forward rather than looking back,” added Matthews. “Golf, starting with Scotland, maybe we had a lot more traditions, that we’re just gradually moving with the times.
“We hope that all the girls or boys who play golf can see both men and women playing on the same golf courses, which is good.”
Lioness lessons
Anna Nordqvist arrives in East Lothian as reigning Open Champion, having clinched a one-time win in Carnoustie last year. With her first major appearance as an amateur at the event in 2007, her triumph cemented a “special” bond between the three-time major winner Swede and the Open.
“I’ve heard a lot about Muirfield,” Nordqvist said. “I know the guys have played here over the years, so I think it’s an amazing opportunity for us to have Muirfield added to our Open rotation.
“Entering the gate, (I) saw my picture – it’s the first picture you see – obviously it’s still quite surreal to have my name on the trophy,” he added.
Despite the pain of seeing Sweden beaten 4-0 in the semifinals by future champions, Nordqvist sees parallels in the increased coverage of women’s football and golf.
“It’s just thrilling to see that I think women’s sport (all) around the world it is getting more attention, “he said.
“It was a pretty big event, the way they hosted it and the TV schedules, I think it’s very important. Our tee times are improving too. Many times, we go pot early because (of) … the children’s program “.
‘reloaded’
While Nordqvist starts off as defending champion, Brooke Henderson starts off as arguably the fit player.
After retiring from the Scottish Open, won by Japanese Ayaka Furue on Sunday, Henderson is “reloaded” and can’t wait to leave.
“Playing this year really means a lot to us all,” he said. “It is just proof that the women’s game continues to grow: the size of the bags is increasing, we are more on the TV network and we are playing in these better places.
“It’s just a really fun time to be a part of women’s golf, because it’s growing so much and we feel like we’re making a difference for future generations.”
“I was extremely excited to go out and play at this event this year,” he said.
“I knew the story and also the fact that we were going to be the first women’s tournament here was pretty amazing.
“So I was just more excited to really be here and to be able to play on this golf course and absorb it all, as well as the history of this place.”
Catriona Matthew will leave first her group along with Sophia Schubert and Louise Duncan at 6:30 am local time (1:30 am ET) on Thursdays.
