St Andrews Links Trust marks International Women’s Day by highlighting increase to the St Rule Trophy field size for 2026
One of Britain’s leading amateur golf tournaments has expanded the size of its field following a record number and quality of entries to play at the Home of Golf.
The St Rule Trophy – which has been won in the past by names such as Annika Sorenstam, Catriona Matthew and rising Scottish star Hannah Darling – has expanded its field from 60 to 72 golfers for 2026 to reflect the rising number of top-level female players in the amateur ranks and the sport’s expanding significance among women.
The tournament’s development follows several years of increasing entries and field strength, resulting in record numbers in 2025 with 127 entries and a handicap cut-off of +3.0. This is up from 92 entries and +1.6 handicap cut just three years ago.
Hosted by St Andrews Links Trust and the St Rule Club, the tournament will take place from 30-31 May 2026, comprising 54-hole strokeplay.
Two rounds are played on the New Course followed by a final round on the Old Course.
The St Rule Trophy was created to celebrate and promote excellence in women’s amateur golf, with the inaugural 36-hole tournament played on the Old Course on 2 June 1984.
Now, the St Rule Trophy attracts international entries, with 17 countries represented in 2025, and is included in the AIG Women’s Open Amateur Series. This comprises of three elite amateur events: the St Rule Trophy, The Women’s Amateur Championship in Nairn and the European Ladies’ Amateur Championship in Frankfurt, Germany.
The top golfer from the series will secure an elusive place to compete in the AIG Women’s Open, held at Royal Lytham and St Annes in July 2026.
Catriona Matthew won the St Rule Trophy in back-to-back years as an amateur in 1993 and 1994 before going on to have a stellar professional career which included winning the Women’s British Open in 2009 as well as multiple Solheim Cup appearances.
Matthew, who is also a two-time winning Solheim Cup captain and the last Scottish golfer to win a major championship, said: “It’s great to see the St Rule Trophy expanding the field size and giving more golfers the opportunity to compete at the Home of Golf. The level and depth of talent coming through in the women’s amateur game has never been greater and I’m pleased to see more opportunities for women to compete on an elite stage.
“Winning the St Rule Trophy twice meant a lot to me. Not only is it a brilliant gateway into professional women’s golf, but the opportunity to lift a trophy on the Old Course in St Andrews is always special.”
The overall winner will receive the St Rule Trophy, and the Lawson Trophy is awarded to the player with the best score in the 18 years and under category.
Many previous participants have gone on to enjoy success on the Ladies European Tour, notably Sorenstam, Matthew and more recently, Melissa Reid.
The Home of Golf is dedicated to supporting the women’s game at all levels. The Trust recently launched a new eight-week Ladies Learn & Play programme powered by Operation36, an innovative and confidence-building way to learn golf.
This programme offers participants eight skills-based sessions followed by two on-course sessions to put their training into practice.
Neil Coulson, chief executive of St Andrews Links Trust, said: “At St Andrews Links Trust, we’re committed to growing the women’s game at all levels – from beginners in our coaching sessions to elite competitions. Our programmes open the door to women and girls who might have never considered golf, and we want that pipeline to flow all the way into competitive play.
“The Home of Golf is for everyone, and we are delighted the St Rule Trophy has established itself as one of the premier events in women’s amateur golf evidenced by the growing strength of entries in recent years. Some of the greats of the game, including Catriona and Annika, have played and won here in their amateur careers and I look forward to many more future stars competing here at St Andrews Links in the St Rule Trophy.”
St Andrews Links Trust manages the St Rule Trophy alongside volunteers from the local St Rule Club. Female amateur golfers with a handicap index not exceeding 2.4 are welcome to enter.
Launched last week, the first series of Ladies Learn & Play sessions has just five remaining places available.
As well as women’s coaching, St Andrews Links Trust also runs the St Andrews Links Junior Golf Association which offers coaching programmes for more than 400 children annually. More than one-third of SALJGA members and girls.
Notes to Editors
St Rule Trophy
- Open to female amateur golfers with a handicap index not exceeding 2.4
- Entries will close on 20 April 2026 at 16:00
- The entry fee is £80
Ladies Learn & Play
- An eight-week coaching programme, consisting of eight skills sessions and two on-course sessions
- £150 for 10 sessions
- Full details and sign-up: https://operation36golf.com/landing/3009
About St Andrews Links Trust
St Andrews Links Trust is responsible for the management and maintenance of the eight Links courses at St Andrews, including the world-famous Old Course.
St Andrews Links Trust manages a number of additional facilities including four clubhouses, a golf academy and six retail stores. More than 280,000 rounds are played over the eight courses attracting visitors from around the world to follow in the footsteps of the world’s greatest golfers and become a part of golf’s rich history. As a charitable trust, all surplus derived from the Trust’s commercial activities is reinvested into the preservation of the Home of Golf for current and future generations and to deliver the Trust’s charitable objectives.
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