Matthew bows to the wind as British Open wiped out

North Berwick’s Catriona Matthew did not even hit one shot before the second round of the Ricoh Women’s British Open was wiped out at Royal Liverpool.

Carly Booth, the only other Scot in the field, did start at 7.10am. But it turned out to be a losing battle against winds that reached gusts of up to 60mph.

Booth, one behind Matthew after an opening 77, only got as far as her third hole (the 12th) before play was suspended.

By 11am, Scotland’s Susan Simpson, the Ladies’ Golf Union’s Head of Operations, made the decision to wipe out the day’s scores and it was at 2pm that she finally ruled out play for the day.

Simpson is still hoping to squeeze in the 72 holes by tomorrow evening and she defended the decision to send out the first 12 groups.

“The course was playable when we started but then the wind rose and play was not possible on the exposed holes close to the sea,” said Simpson.

“Extending play until Monday is an option but we would obviously far prefer to finish on Sunday.”