Women's golf: Scots hope for help from links link

Published on Wednesday 20 July 2011 18:15

IN recent weeks, Catriona Matthew and Janice Moodie have been bombarded with questions. Is it really the toughest course on earth? Will the weather be nasty? Should I bring the thermals?

The Ricoh Women's British Open starting at Carnoustie on Thursday has certainly stirred interest among the world's best players, and Matthew and Moodie, the top two Scots, have been happy to impart some inside knowledge while feeling equally chuffed that they will have a head start on their colleagues.

Matthew, who won the title at Royal Lytham and St Annes two years ago, can draw on some great memories of Carnoustie. She captured the first of her three Scottish Amateur Championships over the notorious Angus links in 1991 and has done some extra homework for this week.

"I made a special trip there about ten weeks ago," said Matthew, who lives in North Berwick but plays mainly on the US-based LPGA Tour. "It was looking really good and I am sure it will be in fantastic shape this week. The rough was thick and it is going to be a real challenge. But it was also tough at Lytham.

"All the players have been talking about Carnoustie, and I've told them that so much depends on the weather. It could be brutal."

Moodie vaguely recalls one sunny round over the course where Paul Lawrie claimed the Open title in 1999.

Married to an American, Tim Carneval, the 38-year-old Glaswegian flew over from the States last week and will be at Carnoustie today to ensure she is well prepared for the major that is only her second competitive outing since the birth of her second son, Matt, in March.

And, while she might be lightly raced, she is well aware that Matthew's win at Lytham came just a matter of weeks after she had given birth to her second daughter, Sophie.

Taiwan's Yani Tseng defends the title she won in style at Royal Birkdale, and the 22-year-old world No.1 has now amassed four majors, including last month's LPGA Championship.

Heading the US threat are the world No.2, Cristie Kerr, and Paula Creamer, last year's US Women's Open Champion who paid a sneak visit to Carnoustie two weeks ago. Another serious contender could be the experienced Australian Karrie Webb, who has won three British Opens.