STELLAR FIELD SET FOR 2026 ISPS HANDA WOMEN’S SCOTTISH OPEN

The field is now confirmed for the 2026 ISPS HANDA Women’s Scottish Open, with a world-class line-up set to compete at Dundonald Links from 23–26 July, including World No. 1 Nelly Korda, major champions, Solheim Cup stars and some of the brightest emerging talents in the women’s game.

Adding further strength to Scotland’s national open, sponsor invitations have been awarded to former AIG Women’s Open champion Ashleigh Buhai; one of the game’s most exciting young talents, Kiara Romero; Scotland’s leading female professional, Gemma Dryburgh; and rising Scottish star Hannah Darling – ensuring strong home interest alongside one of the strongest fields in the tournament’s history.

Korda headlines a field featuring seven players inside the top 10 of the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings, joined by fellow major champions Hyo Joo Kim, Hannah Green, Minjee Lee and Jin Young Ko as players prepare for a crucial week of links golf ahead of the season’s final major championship.

The depth of talent on display at Dundonald Links is reflected in the event’s impressive credentials. This year’s championship features 19 major champions with a combined 35 major titles, while the field includes 44 LPGA Tour winners with 181 victories and 64 Ladies European Tour winners with 151 titles. A total of 16 players with previous Solheim Cup appearances are also set to compete, including European stalwarts Charley Hull and Carlota Ciganda, alongside stars Linn Grant, Maja Stark and Esther Henseleit.

The championship will also showcase the next generation of talent. England’s Lottie Woad returns following her breakthrough season, while recent LPGA winners Aki Iwai, Chisato Iwai and Rio Takeda strengthen an international field representing 33 nationalities.

Among the sponsor invites is World No. 1 amateur Kiara Romero, one of the brightest young prospects in women’s golf. Romero has been awarded a sponsor invitation and will have the opportunity to test her game against many of the world’s leading professional players at Dundonald Links.

Romero also arrives in Scotland with the chance to secure LPGA Tour membership through the LPGA’s Elite Amateur Pathway (LEAP) program. The pathway awards points for elite amateur achievements and performances in LPGA events, with players earning LPGA status once they reach the required 20-point threshold. Romero currently sits on 19 LEAP points, meaning a strong performance at Dundonald Links could earn her an LPGA Tour card and mark the next step in her golfing career.

Joining Romero is Ashleigh Buhai, who brings extensive links pedigree, having captured her maiden major title at the 2022 AIG Women’s Open at Muirfield. With the backing of VisitScotland, Gemma Dryburgh also returns to her national championship as the first Scot to win on the LPGA Tour in more than two decades, following her victory at the 2022 TOTO Japan Classic, and a multiple recipient of the Jock MacVicar Leading Scot Award. Fellow Scot Hannah Darling, a former Junior Solheim Cup and Curtis Cup representative, will make another appearance at the championship following her recent move into the professional ranks.

Darling said: “I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to compete in this year’s ISPS HANDA Women’s Scottish Open and to VisitScotland. To play against the best players in the world on home soil is something every Scottish golfer dreams of, and I’m really looking forward to returning to Dundonald Links.”

The championship will also welcome back several former winners, including defending champion Lauren Coughlin, 2022 winner Ayaka Furue, 2021 champion Ryann O’Toole, 2018 champion Ariya Jutanugarn and 2017 winner Mi Hyang Lee. Sponsor invite Romero, one of the most highly regarded young players in the game, adds further excitement to a field that reflects the global depth and future of women’s golf.

With a field that combines the world’s leading players, major champions, proven winners and emerging stars, the 2026 ISPS HANDA Women’s Scottish Open reflects both the growing strength of women’s golf and ISPS HANDA’s commitment to creating opportunities through sport.

Founder and Chairman Dr Haruhisa Handa said: “At ISPS HANDA, we believe sport has the power to unite people and change lives. We are delighted to welcome Ashleigh, Gemma, Hannah and Kiara to this year’s championship and look forward to seeing them compete alongside the world’s best players. Through golf, we continue our mission of promoting inclusivity and accessibility, with the aim of breaking down barriers to create opportunities for everyone, regardless of ability.”

For more than two decades, ISPS HANDA has championed opportunities for blind and disabled golfers around the world, using the power of sport to inspire hope, promote inclusivity and expand access to golf for people of all abilities.

The 2026 tournament returns to Dundonald Links following a record-breaking event, which welcomed more than 11,000 spectators across the week. This year’s edition will also be the only LPGA Tour event staged in Scotland.

The 2026 ISPS HANDA Women’s Scottish Open marks the third year with ISPS HANDA as title sponsor and the fifth consecutive year the tournament has been held at Dundonald Links. The event returned to the Ayrshire venue in 2022 following a multi-million-pound redevelopment that transformed the Verde Resorts venue into one of the UK’s finest golf resorts. Dundonald Links also hosted the championship in 2015, 2016 and 2017.

To buy tickets and find out more about the ISPS HANDA Women’s Scottish Open, please visit www.womensscottish.com/home/tickets2026/.