Catriona Matthew still to decide if her major swansong will be at Muirfield

2009 winner ‘disappointed’ with her weekend effort in AIG Women’s Open

Catriona Matthew was disappointed with the finishes to her final two rounds. Picture: R&A

Catriona Matthew, the 2009 winner, has still to decide if the event’s eaglerly-anticipated first visit to Muirfield will be her swansong in the AIG Women’s Open at the age of 52.

After her promising start at Royal Troon, where she was joint fourth following an opening 71, Europe’s Solheim Cup captain finished in a tie for 59th on 13-over, having added subsequent efforts of 76-74-76.

Matthew finished bogey-bogey in the final two rounds and, even at this stage in her distinguished career, that still hurts. “A disappointing weekend, especially today as it wasn’t too bad out there today,” she said afterwards.

A new five-year schedule for the event sees it return to Carnoustie next year before heading to Muirfield for the first time in 2022. Close to home, that would seem the perfect place for the North Berwick woman to sign off her major career.

“I’ve not really thought about that, to be honest, but it’s a nice one to go and play in,” she said, having certainly been a lot more enthusiastic about that history-making event earlier in the week.

“I think it’s been good to have women’s golf back on the TV and hopefully we can get a few more big events towards the end of the year,” she said, with two more women’s majors having been rescheduled.

Michele Thomson, the other Scot to make the cut in this one, was also disappointed with her weekend performance, signing off with scores of 80 and 76 to finish 74th on 22 over.

“Today was good apart from getting bitten by the Postage Stamp,” said the 33-year-old Aberdonian of taking a triple-bogey 6 at the iconic eighth hole.

“It’s not a pin to go at and I just turned it over a bit.

“I didn’t hole enough putts during the week and probably didn’t have my best stuff, but at least I’ve played four rounds in my first major.”

Admitting that has whetted her appetite for these big events, the former Scottish amateur champion, who picked up just over $5,500 for her week’s work, added: “It was kind of eerie out there as there is no one here, but it gives me a taste of it and I definitely want to be playing again at Carnoustie next year.

“The five venues they’ve just announced are all great golf courses and it would be brilliant to play at all of them.”

After two weeks in a “bio-bubble”, Thomson is looking forward to spending a couple of days at home before heading out to the Czech Republic for the Tipsport Ladies Open, won last year by Carly Booth.

“We’ve got three great events coming up with Switzerland and France after the one in the Czech Republic, so hopefully I can play some good golf,” she said.

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