The field is 144 players. Most players earn exemptions based on past performance on the Ladies European Tour, the LPGA Tour, previous major championships, or with a high ranking in the Women's World Golf Rankings, with the rest of the field normally gaining entry by successfully competing in qualifying tournaments open to any female golfer, professional or amateur, with a low handicap. In 2020 there were no such tournaments due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Qualification criteria for the 2020 Women's British Open were as follows: 1. Winners of the Women's British Open, aged 60 or younger at the scheduled end of the championship, provided they are still active members of a recognised tour. 2. The top 10 finishers and ties from the 2019 Women's British Open. 3. The top 15 on the final 2019LET Order of Merit. 4. The top 5 on the 2020 LET Order of Merit not already exempt as of 29 June. 5. The top 30 on the final 2019 LPGA Money List. 6. The top 35 on the 2020 LPGA Prioity List not already exempt under criteria 5. as of 29 June. 7. The top 5 on the 2020 LPGA Money List not already exempt as of 29 June. 8. The top 30 in the Women's World Golf Rankings as of 16 March. 9. Winners of the 2019 JLPGA Money List. 10. The top 5 on the final 2019 JLPGA Money List not already exempt. 11. Winners of the 2019 KLPGA Money List. 10. The top 5 on the 2020 KLPGA Money List not already exempt as of 29 June. 12. Winners of any recognised LET or LPGA Tour events in the 2020 calendar year. 13. Winners of the last five editions of the U.S. Women's Open 14. Winners of the last five editions of the ANA Inspiration 15. Winners of the last five editions of the Women's PGA Championship 16. Winners of the last five editions of the The Evian Championship 17. The leading five in the 2020 Marathon Classic 18. The leading three in the 2020 Aberdeen Standard Investments Ladies Scottish Open 19. The 2020 Women's Amateur Asia-Pacific champion, 2020 Womens Amateur Championship champion, 2019 U.S. Women's Amateur champion, 2020 European Ladies Amateur Championship champion, the 2019 Mark H. McCormack Medal winner, and the highest ranked women in the World Amateur Golf Ranking from Great Britain and Ireland as of week 25, and provided they are still amateurs at the time of the Championship. 20. Any player who did not compete in the previous year's Women's British Open due to maternity, who subsequently received an extension of membership for the maternity from the player's home tour in the previous year, provided she was otherwise qualified to compete in the previous year's Women's British Open. 21. Remaining places filled from the 2020 Aberdeen Standard InvestmentsLadies Scottish Open.
