The R&A has announced that a revised pre-qualifying format will be used for the AIG Women’s Open at Carnoustie, due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Select events on the Ladies’ European Tour Access Series and Rose Ladies Series have been awarded a minimum of six places into Final Qualifying, for those not otherwise exempt.

The Santander Golf Tour Zaragoza on the LET Access Series will provide a pathway for players to earn passage to the next stage of qualifying when it is played from 22-24 July at Real Club De Golf La Penaza.

The Rose Ladies Series event at JCB Golf & Country Club on 5 August will also give players an opportunity, with the field size increasing to accommodate amateur entries from players with a handicap of 0.4 or better.

These exemptions will replace the traditional AIG Women’s Open pre-qualifying event, which was due to take place at Sandy Lodge on Monday 12 July.

Zoe Ridgway, Tournament Director – AIG Women’s Open at The R&A, said, “Pre-Qualifying for the AIG Women’s Open always attracts a strong international field and due to the ongoing uncertainty regarding international travel, we want to maintain a pathway into Final Qualifying for these players.

“Competing in a major championship is real dream for all golfers and we believe these changes to pre-qualifying will ensure that they have the opportunity to achieve their goal of playing in AIG Women’s Open at Carnoustie this year.”

The successful golfers will join other exempt players at Final Qualifying which will be played at Panmure on Monday 16 August. A minimum of three places into the AIG Women’s Open will be on offer.

The full list of exemptions into the AIG Women’s Open and AIG Women’s Open Final Qualifying can be found at aigwomensopen.com.

Entries will open via aigwomensopen.com on Friday 21 May and will close on Thursday 15 July at 11.59pm.

The AIG Women’s Open will take place from 16-22 August 2021 at Carnoustie, with tickets now on sale via aigwomensopen.com. The Championship will follow government guidance in relation to spectator attendance.

Adult tickets will start from £20 with children aged 16 years or under before the Championship admitted free of charge. Spectators aged 24 years or under will be entitled to purchase youth (16-24 years) tickets starting from £10. A £5 Mastercard discount is available per transaction.