So-called expert AIG Women's Open tips

Brendan James – Golf Australia Editor

The Swedes are coming ... the Swedes are coming. Like the Swedish invasion of men's tennis back in the 1980s, we are starting to see the influence great players like Annika Sorenstam, Liselotte Neumann and Helen Alfredsson have had on the game in the land of IKEA, ABBA and Volvo.

There are nine Swedes teeing it up this week at Walton Heath, and at least six of them have genuine chances of lifting the trophy. For mine, it's between MAJA STARK and LINN GRANT (wouldn't surprise if they finished one-two in a Swedish quinella). I'll take GRANT ... in a play-off.

Sportsbet odds: $20

JIMMY EMANUEL – Golf Australia Deputy & Digital Editor, Playing From The Tips host

When in doubt, go local. That worked for me at Celine Boutier at the Evian and I am hoping for much the same with GEORGIA HALL at Walton Heath.

Showed some tremendous form earlier this year, is a former winner of this event and is such a good fit for this venue it isn’t funny

Speaking of funny, or attempts at it, good to see Hayesy having another crack at earning a chuckle below, maybe like the much of the field next year will be your time to finally land one in a major week.

Sportsbet odds: $34

Rod Morri – Golf Australia magazine contributor and The Thing About Golf podcast host

There are some similarities between the style of golf at Walton Heath this week and home of the Australian Women’s Open for several years, the Adelaide sand belt. That tournament always did a great job of identifying the very best and it is to their list of winners that I will be looking this week, namely 2019 champion NELLY KORDA.

Korda displayed great imagination to go along with her excellent driving and iron play that week and it is that sort of golf that will be required this week also. Motivation won’t be a problem as she is winless this year so making her first win of 2023 a major would be fitting.

Sportsbet odds: $15

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Mark Hayes – Man About Golf

We’ve come through eight majors this year to arrive in (near) London for arguably the most pure of them all. Walton Heath is not a links, but it’s a sand-based heathland special, so that would be my second preference. It’s like summer Friday afternoon drinks after work, but knowing that Jimmy’s “thirsty uncle” trick is a part of your crew’s festivities – oh well, you can’t have it all.

I don’t want to make it sound like I haven’t done my homework or anything, but there’s winning form and then there’s CELINE BOUTIER.

In a year with no repeat female major winners, the softly spoken Frenchwoman is the best bet to break that streak and she is playing with house money right now.

Sportsbet odds: $13

Callum Hill – Golf Australia magazine writer

I will follow our leader in again this week. It was a giant swing and a miss last time I tipped LINN GRANT, but I am prepared to mark centre and have another crack in a desperate ditch to pick a winner this year.

I love how she swings the golf club, and Walton Heath is a fantastic fit, one of the girls to beat in my opinion.

Sportsbet odds: $20

AIG WOMEN'S OPEN – TOP AUSSIE

Brendan James – Golf Australia Editor

GRACE KIM is making her Open debut and it comes on a course that would be right at home in the Melbourne Sandbelt, where her record is very impressive.

If she can make some early inroads and hold on through to Sunday, Kim can push for a top-10 – or better – finish.

Sportsbet odds: $71

JIMMY EMANUEL – Golf Australia Deputy & Digital Editor

There is obviously plenty to like about Minjee’s chances, same goes for Hannah at a course that is right up her alley, but my top Aussie is STEPH KYRIACOU.

Great form of late, plays this style of golf with aplomb and based off her previous record absolutely loves this tournament.

As has been covered many times, you never know which Steph will show up each week, but if the birdie machine is in town this week, look out.

Sportsbet odds: $71

Rod Morri – Golf Australia magazine contributor and The Thing About Golf podcast host

For similar reasons to Korda, I like MINJEE LEE’s chances this week despite recent issues with the putter.

Her opening 80 last week looked to be a disaster but she turned some kind of corner to claw her way to T13 for the week. That might just have been the low point and if she has solved her putting problems, she’ll be a factor late Sunday no question.

Sportsbet odds: $17

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Mark Hayes – Man About Golf

I actually think that MINJEE LEE is a red-hot chance to notch her third career major. She’s been thereabouts lately without really putting her nose into a photo finish and this is precisely where it could happen.

Lee has finished in the top-11 the past five editions of this event – three times in the top-five – and importantly at Walton Heath, has the scoring power to take advantage of opportunities as they present.

Sportsbet odds: $17

Callum Hill – Golf Australia magazine writer

MINJEE LEE has a good recent record in the event without getting over the line.

She just needs to find her best stuff for four days, no doubt in my mind she will be in the thick of it on the weekend.

Sportsbet odds: $17

AIG WOMEN'S OPEN – DARK HORSE

Brendan James – Golf Australia Editor

I've been following the progress of 17-year-old German CHIARA NOJA for a few years and she is a superstar in waiting.

She turned pro at 15 and already has a professional victory to her name. She's no stranger to English heathland golf and if she can control her nerves, and get her drives on the short grass, Noja could contend for the title.

Sportsbet odds: $501

JIMMY EMANUEL – Golf Australia Deputy & Digital Editor

I am inclined to follow our fearless leader’s assertion about the rise of Swedish women’s golf, and this might be one of the last times I can genuinely tip MAJA STARK as an outsider (a concept my fellow tipsters clearly struggle with as much as Rod Morri battles with a straight forward chip shot).

Stark is on the rise, played well last week, and major stages won’t overawe the Swede who is in a race with Linn Grant to be their country’s major winner.

Sportsbet odds: $51

Rod Morri – Golf Australia magazine contributor and The Thing About Golf podcast host

I’m picking CHARLEY HULL here though I accept it’s borderline to think of her as an outsider.

Playing at home after a brilliant U.S Women’s Open on a course that should keep her interested for all four days might just be the formula required for the 27-year-old to fulfil her considerable potential. Or she could miss the cut. You never know with Hull (hence her ‘outsider’ status.)

Sportsbet odds: $41

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Mark Hayes – Man About Golf

I’m not even sure she’s “rough”, but that doesn’t seem to stop my peers in this category, so why not STEPH KYRIACOU?

Three top-20 finishes on the bounce, including the Evian, indicate her increasing comfort at the top level as she nears a career high in the world rankings.

But, like her mate from WA (above), Steph hasn’t missed a cut in this event in three previous tries and was 13th and 7th the past two years.

I’ve got a nice feeling about how she’ll handle Walton Heath, too.

Sportsbet odds: $71

Callum Hill – Golf Australia magazine writer

Calling this player an outsider will probably see a line put through my name for future tipping segments. But there are some juicy odds for some seriously good players this week. In saying that, I have been studying the form guide and still haven't crafted a decent argument for what I'm about to say.

I know she hasn't been playing well …  but you won't often get odds like this for Lydia Ko. I am really hoping my compatriot personifies the term "form is temporary, class is permanent" this week and helps out my wallet.

Sportsbet odds: $56