Golf: Catriona Matthew hoping Evian is perfect prep for Open defence

NORTH BERWICK'S Catriona Matthew is already looking forward to defending the Ricoh Women's British Open at Royal Birkdale next week.

The ideal build-up would be a confidence-boosting high finish at the Evian Masters starting in France today. Matthew remembers Evian for the wrong reasons last year - she had to escape a fire in her hotel on the eve of the tournament and her husband, Graeme, ended up in hospital with burns on his feet.

"Last year was scary, but then I went on to win the British and so it was an unforgettable two weeks," said the first Scot to win a women's major.

"I've never really played all that well here, but I've had a week at home working on my game."

Matthew narrowly missed the cut at the US Women's Open two weeks ago but has ironed out a few flaws under the eye of her relatively new coach, Kevin Craggs.

"Next week will be very special. I like Birkdale and am looking forward to defending the title," she added.

Glasgow's Janice Moodie is the second Scot in a field of 81 that is headed by the defending champion and world No.?1, Ai Miyazato, and the new US Women's Open Champion, Paula Creamer. "I just love coming here, and it would be great to repeat my 2005 win," said 23-year-old Creamer. "It is such a nice feeling, and a relief, to arrive here as the US Women's Open Champion."

Creamer won the US title at Oakmont two weeks ago when she was still recovering from a thumb operation. The left digit still hurts - but she has proved she can play through the pain.