Carnoustie has earned a reputation as the toughest challenge on the Open Championship rota. In two year’s time, the world’s top female golfers will face their severest test when they line-up in the Ricoh Women’s British Open over the famous Angus links.  

As part of an agreement with EventScotland, the final major of the women’s season will be staged  north of the border on a handful of occasions between 2011 and 2020, and it was announced yesterday that Carnoustie will stage the 2011 version with the Old Course, St Andrews, hosting the Championship in 2013. 

It was at Turnberry in 2002, when Karrie Webb won her third Open, that the final major of the women’s season was first staged in Scotland, while Mexican Lorena Ochoa claimed victory at an historic first outing for women professionals over the Old Course at St Andrews two years ago.

Scot Shona Malcolm, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ladies’ Golf Union, was delighted to reveal the two Scottish venues on the same day that Ricoh extended the sponsorship through to 2013.  “This is fantastic news for our championship and for women’s golf,’ she said.

The players will also cherish the chance to play such legendary courses, although top American Paula Creamer did comment: “I think Carnoustie will be a little intimidating.”