Matthew hopes that she can cut it in Interlachen

Published on Thursday 26 June 2008 10:39

NORTH BERWICK'S Catriona Matthew has missed the cut in the first two majors of the season, so she's hoping she doesn't complete the hat-trick at the US Women's Open starting today at Interlachen in Minnesota, writes ELSPETH BURNSIDE.

Matthew had a great run in the majors last year, with three top tens and a tie for 16th in the US Open. And she has shown form this year with a tie for second in last month's Sybase Classic in New York.

It's been a patchy few months, though, and she is looking for a good result this week to kick-start her season before a hectic summer run that will include a number of European tournaments.

"I feel I have been doing reasonably well but just not holing enough putts," said Matthew, who travels the US circuit with husband and caddie Graeme and their 18-month-old daughter, Katie.

"I always enjoy the US Women's Open so I hope I can put it together this week."

Matthew's best result in the US Women's Open was a fourth place in 2001, and this is her first visit to a course that hosted the 2002 Solheim Cup.

Six years ago, the Scot was a shock omission from Dale Reid's European team which lost to the United States.

Janice Moodie is the second Scot in the 156-strong field.

She came through the qualifying and missed this month's other major – the McDonald's LPGA Championship – due to an ankle sprain but she made the top 40 in her comeback event in New York last week.

American Cristie Kerr defends the title she won at Pine Needles last year, while the overwhelming favourite is last year's runner-up, Lorena Ochoa.

Mexico's world No.1 has a tally of six titles in a dazzling season which includes the first major, the Kraft Nabisco Championship.

For Swede Annika Sorenstam, who has announced that she will retire at the end of the year, it will be a nostalgic final US Women's Open.

Her first LPGA win was in the 1995 US Women's Open and she went on to win it again in 1996 and 2006.

With three victories under her belt already this year, she will be one of the favourites to collect an 11th major of her outstanding career.

Michelle Wie qualified through a sectional qualifying round.