Golf: Matthew enjoys mother of all wins with British Open

Published on Monday 3 August 2009 11:07

NORTH BERWICK'S Catriona Matthew made her career complete with an historic first major victory in the Rich Women's British Open at Royal Lytham and St Annes.

With husband Graeme, her caddie, the first to give her a hug of congratulations, and their two wee girls – Katie (2) and Sophie (11 weeks) waiting on the sidelines – Matthew became the first Scot to win one of the women's big four championships and it confirmed that she is the country's greatest-ever female player.

Just to make a memorable day complete, the victory also secured her place in the European Solheim Cup team for the match against the USA at Rich Harvest Farms in Illinois from August 21-23.

And that means another spot in the record books. She will be making her fifth appearance and will overtake Dale Reid as the most-capped Solheim Scot. Reid was in four matches as a player, although she did go on to captain the side in 2000 and 2002.

Glasgow's Janice Moodie was also named in the side, gaining one of Captain Alison Nicholas' three wild cards.

But it was the Women's British Open title – accompanied by a 197,509 winner's cheque – that is the jewel in the crown of Matthew's glorious career. And it is the more remarkable considering she has won her biggest prize just a few weeks after new baby Sophie's arrival.

The victory saw her jump an incredible 50 places to No.14 in today's Rolex World Rankings

"It's unbelievable," admitted Matthew, playing in only her second comeback event. "I played in the Evian Masters last week (she was 30th) and then this week and was really just hoping to make the cut.

"But I think motherhood has helped me put golf in perspective. It's no longer the most important thing and I'm probably more relaxed. Graeme was also great. He helped keep me calm."

Matthew joins three English players – Laura Davies, Alison Nicholas and Karen Stupples – as a British winner of a major, while only Americans Nancy Lopez and Juli Inkster have achieved the feat as mothers.

The win has opened up more opportunities for Matthew, such as a place in the Samsung World Championship in America at the end of the year. But she knows that family responsibilities will play a part in future plans.

"I hope to keep going for another few years, but the difficult time will be when the girls start school. But this has certainly spurred me on to play for another few years."

Starting out three clear of the field, Matthew, who will be 40 at the end of this month, had a few wobbles before returning a 73 for a three under par total and a three shot win over Australia's Karrie Webb, the seven-time major winner making her challenge with a best of day 68.

With three bogeys in the first ten holes, Matthew found herself tied with Japan's Ai Miyazato, but a burst of three birdies in a row from the 13th put her back on track. She holed from 12 feet at the 13th, from fully 40-feet at the 14th and then was home in two at the long 15th.

Having edged three ahead, she could enjoy the stroll down the 18th, and was greeted by the Saltire flag-waving Scottish Girls' team – including Mortonhall's Rachael Watton – who are competing in the Home Internationals at nearby Fairhaven this week.

"The reception was terrific and I had a tear in my eye," she admitted. "It was great to see all the girls, and everyone cheering me on."

Matthew and Moodie will make a great foursomes and fourball partnership in the Solheim. They have played together many times as amateurs and professionals in international competitions, and never been defeated.

"I think our partnership obviously had an influence on Alison's picks and I'm thrilled to be in the team again," said Moddie, who was delighted to be able to point out that she has played twice and been in two winning teams, at Loch Lomond in 2000 and Barseback in Sweden in 2003, when Matthew claimed the winning point.

As for her fellow-countrywoman's British open win, Moodie, who herself has been joint runner-up in a major at the 2002 Kraft Nabisco Championship, said: "I'm so pleased for Catriona. I played five holes with her early in the week and I just thought 'wow, you are hitting it great.'

"So I knew she had a chance and it's just so great for Scottish women's golf. Now, hopefully, we can both help Europe win the Solheim Cup for a first time in America."

Now that really would make Matthew's year complete.