Lexi Thompson apologies over passport disruption in Woburn build up

Lexi Thompson takes aprt in the pro-am for the AIG Women's British Open at Woburn. Picture: Richard Heathcote/Getty

As is common practice when back-to-back events are played in Europe, some players chose to ship their clubs overground from last week’s Evian Championship in a van driven by Ian Wright, a former caddie to Seve Ballesteros. However, he was around two hours into his journey on Sunday when he received a phone call telling him that Thompson’s passport was in her golf bag and  she needed it to fly from  Geneva.

Wright was asked to pull over and wait while Thompson’s caddie took a taxi to meet him and retrieve the passport, the ensuing delays meaning Wright missed his scheduled ferry to England, then encountered rush-hour traffic and only arrived at Woburn at 5pm on Monday. By then the course was closed to allow groundstaff to continue their preparations for  the final major of the year, which gets under way on Thursday.

Among those affected was Ariya Jutanugarn, the champion the last time the event was played at Woburn in 2016.

Thompson, whose own journey was delayed by a cancelled flight, told her pre-tournament press conference: “I didn’t realise that I was going to cause so much delay in the bags for all the players and I’m very sorry about that. In my situation I was freaking out.

“Then he (Wright) happened to be somewhat close to where my caddie Benji was, so my first reaction was to hopefully stop him and get my passport so I can leave and get to the Women’s British Open.

“I do apologise. I mean, I would be upset, too, if I was the other players, but I ended up getting it and I can’t apologise enough “I’m just really trying to focus on this week and play good golf and just focus on enjoying this experience and being at a major.”

Charley Hull is seeking to make the most of playing at her home club as she seeks a first major title.

“I’d love to win a major, especially at home, it would be great. But I’m just going to go out and enjoy it,” said Hull. “At the end of the day, as long as I enjoy myself outside of golf I’m not going to put too much pressure on myself in golf because sometimes I feel like I do actually.”

Meanwhile, ythe 2021 event will be held at Royal Porthcawl, a year after it visits Royal Troon for thef first time.