Women’s British Open Golf: Catriona Matthew proves battling spirit

By ELSPETH BURNSIDE
Published on 17/09/2012 00:25

IT MIGHT have been the worst weather she had ever encountered on a golf course, but Catriona Matthew’s rounds of 71 and 75 for a share of tenth place in the Ricoh Women’s British Open must surely rank among her best.

Winner at Royal Lytham and St Annes two years ago, Matthew was one of only seven British players, including two English amateurs, to make the cut at Hoylake, and she snatched the home honours. “That was awful,” said the Scot after signing for her seven-over par total. “When we started on the back nine it was just crazy. I’ve played in rain and bad winds before, but never when both were so bad at the same time.”

Despite the terrible conditions, Matthew, who opened with a 76 and just made the cut after a second round 73, finished the Championship with 13 straight pars.

Her final round started with a double-bogey seven but, that blemish apart, it really was a terrific final day and one that showed why she has been such a great competitor for so many years.

Catriona’s husband, Graeme, is her caddie and some of the £40,000 prize money will have to be shelled out on him purchasing a new pair of spectacles.

“I broke them when I was trying to dry them,” he explained. “Fortunately, I’ve got another pair in the car so we’ll be able to drive home tonight. I had to revert to a pair of sunglasses. I couldn’t see the line – so maybe that’s why she putted so well. Seriously, she did play extremely well. Just before we had the brief stop, the weather really did make it impossible. Now I’m just soaked through.”

Holly Clyburn, the 21-year-old from Woodhall Spa, just won the battle of the British amateurs, finishing on 11-over par after rounds of 74 and 80, while Bramhall 16-year-old Bronte Law finished with two cards of 77 for 12-over.

Carly Booth was the only other Scot to make the Championship. But she shot two rounds of 77 and missed the cut by five shots. As she sat at home watching on TV, there must have been moments when she thought she was the lucky one.