McKay to miss LPGA season for first baby

Published on Thursday 25 December 2008 19:08

MHAIRI McKay, one of three Scottish golfers on the US-based LPGA Tour, will miss most of next season as she is expecting her first baby at the beginning of May.

The 33-year-old married American Dave Smith last year and they are now based in New Mexico. "I'll not be playing at all now before the baby is born, but I do hope to be back competing again before the end of the season," said McKay. "Dave and I are both thrilled at the thought of becoming parents."

A member of the LPGA since she graduated from Stanford University in California in 1997, McKay won the 2003 Women's Australian Open and has played for Europe in two Solheim Cups.

This season, she finished a slightly disappointing No 116 on the LPGA Tour money list with 60,000, while she posted one of her best results with a tie for 17th 17th at the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies' Scottish Open at the Carrick, Loch Lomond, in May.

McKay is now set to complete the set of Scottish mums on the LPGA Tour. Janice Moodie's son, Craig, arrived in September 2006, while Catriona Matthew's daughter, Katie, celebrated her second birthday last week.

They have both returned to play full-time, with Matthew finishing at 41st on this year's money list and Moodie at 64th. The LPGA provides day care facilities at all the tournaments.