Ladies Scottish Open: Laura Davies, Catriona Matthew & Danielle Kang in the field

The green grass of the house offers Michele Thomson a Thursday rest after five months of frustration and financial uncertainty.

The Ladies Scottish Open, the first major international sporting event to be held in the country since the lockdown, has a world-class field to the Renaissance Club in North Berwick.

It marks the resumption of the Ladies European Tour, with the first ladies major of the year, the AIG Open, at Royal Troon a week later.

No wave since March – when the tour was suspended due to coronavirus – has caused revenues to dry up.

And with compatriot Gemma Dryburgh who noted that the rising costs of professional golf "will drive many girls out of the game", Thomson is relieved to be out of forced hibernation.

"It's a concern for the girls, but we're just glad we're going to play golf again of course and be able to make some money," she said.

"I'm very lucky to have some sponsors who help me. I couldn't do it without them."

Who's in the field?

Thirty-two nationalities are represented in the line-up with 144 players, with a prize pool of $ 1.5 million at stake. There are also approximately 21 seats available for those not yet qualified for the AIG Women's Open.

Two-time Scottish Open winner Catriona Matthew leads the seven-member home contingent.

As a local and captain of Europe & # 39; s 2019 Solheim Cup triumph at Gleneagles in September – the last professional women's golf event held in Scotland – it wouldn't be & # 39; 39; t ain't been the same without her.

Carly Booth – the 2012 champion – will also join Kylie Henry, Kelsey MacDonald, Alison Muirhead, Thomson and Dryburgh, who will be part of the opening group at 6.30 am Thursday hours BST stalls.

They'll be looking to place the 15 big winners in the lineup on the podium, sharing a total of 24 of the game's biggest accolades. Chief among them is the English Lady Laura Davies, winner of this event in 1994 and four-time great champion.

Three of the top 10 in the world rankings – American Danielle Kang (No. 2), Japanese Nasa Hataoka (No. 5) and Australian Minjee Lee (No. 8) – bring an international touch.

Also, 20 players strive to tame East Lothian's layout. ranked in the world's top 50, 80% of the top 25 on the Ladies European Tour Order of Merit, and seven of the top 10 on the LPGA & # 39; s Race to CME.

Bio-bubble & kicking out family

The event – and the AIG Women's Open a week later – will be played without spectators and in a strict & # 39; bio-secured & # 39; bubble.

Organizers say a "robust operational plan" will be implemented in accordance with government health advice and the "internationally recognized Covid-19 protocol."

Only personnel involved in the tournament – players, caddies, officials, organizers and broadcaster partners – are allowed in the bubble, which includes the course, practice facilities and hotels, and will be tested daily.

] "Everyone takes a social distance and it's just brilliant," said Thomson.

However, Matthew has been given special dispensation to stay home in North Berwick for the duration, which meant that her two daughters and dog link moved to her parents' house this week.