TICKETS have gone on sale as Muirfield gets set to host the AIG Women’s Open for the first time.

It was announced in August last year that the world-famous course, which has held the men’s event more than a dozen times, would hold the competition.

Golfers from around the globe will tee off from August 4 to 7 next year as they look to follow in the footsteps of two-time winners Yani Tseng and Jiyai Shin, as well as East Lothian’s own Catriona Matthew, who was crowned champion in 2009 at Royal Lytham & St Annes.

The North Berwick golfer was delighted to see the event come to East Lothian for the first time.

She said: “I think it’s fantastic that the AIG Women’s Open is being played at HCEG (Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers) for the first time.

“Muirfield is one of the best courses on the Open rota and I know that the players are very excited to have the opportunity to play a Major championship on such an iconic course.

“It will once again bring lots of interest to East Lothian from golf fans around the world and will showcase our area on television screens all over the world once again.”

Playing the competition at Muirfield comes after the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers made the decision in 2017 to allow female members for the first time. Women had only been allowed to play the course as guests or visitors prior to that.

A vote in 2016 to scrap the club’s men-only policy had fallen narrowly short of the required two-thirds majority.

Following that vote, the venue was removed from organisers The R&A’s rota for hosting The Open – it was reinstated following the 2017 reversal of the men-only policy.

Provost John McMillan, East Lothian Council’s spokesman for economic development and tourism, was excited about the tournament coming to the county.

He said: “It’s wonderful news that one of golf’s most prestigious tournaments is to be played next year on one of the world’s most famous courses.

“The fact that East Lothian attracts such high-profile events as the AIG Women’s Open shows that our title of Scotland’s Golf Coast is well deserved.

“I’m sure this will be a huge boost to our local economy both in terms of visitors to the event itself but also in showcasing East Lothian and its fantastic golf offering to a global audience for future tourism.”

First established in 1976 and now owned by The R&A, the AIG Women’s Open is one of five Major championships in women’s golf.

Each year, 144 players compete for the championship trophy with the low amateur, who plays 72 holes, awarded the Smyth Salver.

Currently, Anna Nordqvist is the defending Women’s Open champion after her win at Carnoustie earlier this year.

Tickets to attend the championship went on general sale yesterday (Wednesday).

Adult tickets start from £30 with children under 16 admitted free.

Spectators aged 16-24 will be entitled to purchase youth tickets starting from £15.

For more information, go to www.aigwomensopen.com