Scotland’s Gemma Dryburgh always looks forward to the week of the ISPS HANDA Women’s Scottish Open and playing in front of a home crowd.
Though for the first few years, she felt a lot of pressure on herself to play well as she won on home soil.
However, since then she’s made sure to try and enjoy the experience and play her best rather than feel any pressure.
“It’s not easy. I’ve played it a few times now, so getting more used to it. The first time I played, I put a lot of pressure on myself to play well,” she said. “At the end of the day, it’s just another tournament just to try and do my best and enjoy it is the main thing. Seeing all the Scottish fans as well, it’s nice to play in front of them. I only get to see them once or twice a year, depending on where the AIG Women’s Open is.
“I have had a few good rounds [this year] in there leading up after a few rounds on Tour this year but not putting all four rounds together. I feel like my game is trending in a good direction, and this week will be better than any to kick it into action and hopefully have a good end to the year.”
This season has been different for Dryburgh as she has had a new perspective and mindset since the birth of her son Leo at the end of last year.
Travelling with a newborn baby is no easy task, but Dryburgh and partner Anne-Lise have been making it work.
She explained: “It’s a different lifestyle now. It’s not just myself to think about. He’s almost seven months old. It’s something else to think about when I’m on Tour, and I’m just excited to see him after I finish every day. It’s been nice to come home and to not think about golf.
“It’s hard because usually you’re thinking about, I’m going to practise all day, and now you have to manage your time a bit better and be more focused when you’re at the golf course and manage your time well. It’s a bit of a juggling act, but I’m getting the hang of it now, and making sure my days are very focused when I’m the at course.”
The UK has been experiencing a heatwave in recent weeks and Dundonald Links is a lot drier and firmer as a result of the weather.
As such, the course has a truer links feeling than in 2025 and Dryburgh is hoping to use that to her advantage.
She added: “It’s a lot different than the past few years. It’s a lot firmer and faster, especially on the fairways. I hit a few different lines off the tees and a few different clubs. It’s been different.
“The greens are really good. They are a bit more receptive than the fairways, but it’s been nice to see it play a bit differently. It’s more linksy, so being a home player, I can use that to my advantage.”
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