Dame Laura Davies Explains ‘Really Tough Decision’ To Not Play AIG Women’s Open
The 1986 champion has explained to Sky Sports why she has opted against competing at this year's event


Thanks to her victory at the 1986 AIG Women’s Open, Dame Laura Davies has been assured of her place in the tournament for decades.
Now aged 60, the 2024 edition at the Old Course, St Andrews marks the final year of her exemption, although she has opted not to take her place in the field for Major.
Davies explained to Sky Sports why she has decided against a final appearance at the event, beginning by offering an honest assessment of the state of her game at present.
"I'm just not playing enough golf now to warrant a spot in the field," she said. “As it gets closer, I'm getting sadder and sadder with the fact I'm not going to be playing there.”
Davies then admitted that the decision to concentrate on her broadcasting duties for Sky Sports rather than compete had not been an easy one. She said: "It has been a week that I've always looked forward to. It was a really tough decision, but I think it's the right decision. I wouldn't be looking forward to it because my game is not good enough."
Davies revealed that her increasing involvement in the studio had impacted her ability to remain competitive. "Since I've been commentating, I've played less and less golf," she explained. "I'll still play some seniors golf, but when I turn up to play against younger players, the game is just not good enough.
"Initially, when I was just doing five or six events commentating a year, it was fine because I was playing enough golf. I had a spell where I didn't play for eight months and by the time I came back and tried to play, the game was just gone and the mindset was gone."
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
Dame Laura Davies withdrew after six holes of the 2023 tournament
Even the prospect of finishing her Major career by crossing the iconic Swilcan Bridge at the Home of Golf was not enough to persuade her to make one final appearance this week.
She said: "If you're just turning up because you just want to cross the bridge at 18, it's for the wrong reason. I like to be the centre of attention for playing great golf, not just for the sake of being there.”
Davies’ decision to call time on her AIG Women’s Open career is not entirely surprising after she hinted at last year’s Walton Heath event that it could be her final appearance.
Before the tournament, she said: "This week might be my last one," and then only completed six holes before a wrist injury forced her withdrawal.
Following that disappointment, she admitted to Sky Sports she was still hopeful of an appearance this year, saying: “If I feel my game is good enough, I will have a go at St Andrews. It's my favorite golf course in the world so couldn't be better, but I'm not going to go there if I'm playing really horrible golf.”
Given her form, she has been true to her word, meaning that for the first time since the 1979 edition, the tournament will not have Davies in the field.

Mike has over 25 years of experience in journalism, including writing on a range of sports throughout that time, such as golf, football and cricket. Now a freelance staff writer for Golf Monthly, he is dedicated to covering the game's most newsworthy stories.
He has written hundreds of articles on the game, from features offering insights into how members of the public can play some of the world's most revered courses, to breaking news stories affecting everything from the PGA Tour and LIV Golf to developmental Tours and the amateur game.
Mike grew up in East Yorkshire and began his career in journalism in 1997. He then moved to London in 2003 as his career flourished, and nowadays resides in New Brunswick, Canada, where he and his wife raise their young family less than a mile from his local course.
Kevin Cook’s acclaimed 2007 biography, Tommy’s Honour, about golf’s founding father and son, remains one of his all-time favourite sports books.
-
US Open Betting Tips And Odds: Final Round Picks
Who are we picking to win the 2025 US Open?
-
LIV Golf Carlos Ortiz Said He ‘Deserved’ To Be At US Open… A Year On And He’s Contending To Win It
A year ago, Carlos Ortiz claimed he warranted a place in the US Open field - now, he's in the mix to take the title at Oakmont
-
When Did An Amateur Golfer Last Win A Major Championship?
It has been almost a century since an amateur last won a Major in the men's game while one female amateur tasted Major success slightly more recently...
-
Asterisk Talley Withdraws From Women’s Amateur Championship After Suffering Broken Toe
Amateur World No.16 Asterisk Talley has been forced to withdraw from the The 122nd Women’s Amateur Championship, revealing she has broken her toe
-
Meijer LPGA Classic Prize Money Payout 2025
The latest event on the LPGA Tour comes from Michigan, where Lilia Vu defends her title and the chance to claim a big first prize
-
Nelly Korda Joins Illustrious Club After Recording 100th Week As World No.1
Despite narrowly missing out on the US Women's Open title, Nelly Korda has achieved 100 career weeks at the top of the Rolex Rankings - cementing her place as the best in the business right now
-
LPGA ShopRite Classic Payout 2025
Linnea Storm looks to defend her title at Seaview as the LPGA Tour returns following the second Major of the year
-
Maja Stark Holds Off Nelly Korda To Claim Maiden Major At US Women's Open
Maja Stark held off Nelly Korda and Rio Takeda to claim the US Women's Open and her first Major title
-
'Before You Make Assumptions, Make Sure You Get All The Facts Right Before Basing It On Pictures And Little Clips' - Lexi Thompson Responds To US Women's Open Slow Play Criticism
The Major winner responded to slow play critics at the US Women's Open, with Thompson claiming her group waited on every single hole due to the group in front
-
9 Big Names To Miss The Cut At The US Women's Open
Some notable names will not be teeing it up at Erin Hills over the weekend