Anna Foster leans on experience to qualify for Women's Open

For the third time, Dubliner Anna Foster has reached the Women's Open through Final Qualifying.

Anna Foster: “It’s exciting to play again in the AIG Women’s Open. Each time I’ve played I’ve got a bit more experience and I feel like I belong there more.” Pic: ©INPHO/Laszlo Geczo

Anna Foster used all her experience and good memories from two previous Final Qualifying successes to book her place in this week’s AIG Women’s Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes.

The 24-year-old Ladies European Tour professional had come through Final Qualifying in 2023 and 2025 and the Dubliner from Elm Park Golf Club made it a hat-trick when she earned her spot on Monday for Thursday’s major championship line-up alongside compatriots Leona Maguire and Lauren Walsh.

Foster had carded a two-under-par 70 at St Annes Old Links to finish in an eight-way tie for eighth place. With 13 places up for grabs in the first round this Thursday, that forced a play-off for the six available remaining berths and Foster was first to emerge with a birdie at the first play-off hole.

“The wind was still blowing early this morning, but I managed to get out there and make a good start which gave me a little bit of a cushion as there are some tough holes on the back nine,” Foster said.

“I feel like I’ve been playing well recently and tried to lean on the times I’ve come through Final Qualifying before in 2023 and 2025. I was definitely thinking about those previous occasions and the positive memories.

“You don’t need to be perfect to get through, you can plot your way round, and I tried to remind myself of that. It’s quite a tough and stressful day and I just tried to keep it simple.

“It’s exciting to play again in the AIG Women’s Open. Each time I’ve played I’ve got a bit more experience and I feel like I belong there more.”