Gemma Dryburgh hopes to deliver big 'pending' week in Scottish Women's Open

As a result of having dropped outside the top 200 in the Rolex Women’s World Rankings and seeing her LPGA status diminished since winning the Toto Japan Classic in 2022, the 33-year-old has had to rely on a VisitScotland invitation for this week’s event at Dundonald Links.

Dryburgh is flying the Saltire on the Ayrshire coast along with LET rookie Hannah Darling, with both players determined to try and give the home fans something to shout about when they head out in Thursday’s opening round at the Ayrshire venue.

“Yeah,” said Dryburgh to being asked if she felt excited to be taking on the likes of world No 1 Nelly Korda and defending champion Lottie Woad on Scottish soil.

“I was even more excited to see it this year because it is a bit more firm and fast, a bit more linksy and definitely more firmer than the previous years, which will be fun.

“I think it suits me a bit better. Obviously the greens are still pretty receptive, so it's a good combination between the two.”

The Aberdonian’s best finish on the LPGA so far this season was a tie for 27th in the Fortinet Founders Cup, with a number of missed cuts scattered through the year.

“Not my best year, obviously,” she admitted. “Kind of I feel like I've had some good rounds in there, but just not kind of put four rounds together.

“Been quite consistent, I guess, and made some cuts, but not really had a good week yet, though I feel it is pending. This would be obviously a special one to do it as, so no reason why not.”

Dryburgh has her partner, Anne-Lise Bidou, and their son Leo, who was born at the tail end of last year, with her for this year’s home assignment, which also included celebrating mum Marjorie’s birthday on Tuesday in a hotel in Troon.

“Yeah, an extra little one,” she said, smiling, of her family group being bigger this year. “Yeah, life's obviously changed quite a lot, but all for the better. It's been a lot of fun travelling with him. We've been travelling with him since March, so all the extended family are getting to meet him this week.”