Preview: Ricoh Women's British Open

The Women's British Open gets underway at Sunningdale GC on Thursday. Last time the event was contested here England's Karen Stupples ran out as the winner. Mexico's Lorena Ochoa is the defending champion and she will start as favourite.

Defending British Open Champion Lorena Ochoa
Fergus Bisset
By
published

Lowdown: The Ricoh Women’s British Open will be played over the Old Course at Sunningdale for the fourth time. Designed by Willie Park and opened for play in 1901, the Old is one of the UK’s most loved inland tracks and the top women always enjoy visiting the famous Berkshire club. The tournament last came to Sunningdale in 2004 when England’s Karen Stupples put on a fantastic display to win. She started her final round in spectacular style with an eagle three at the first then an albatross two at the second, she finished the week at -19. Mexico’s Lorena Ochoa will be at Sunningdale to defend the title she won in some style at St Andrews last year. The 26-year-old has six victories so far in 2008 but hasn’t won a tournament since May, she’ll be keen to rectify that this week. Laura Davies will be competing in her 60th consecutive major championship, the 44-year-old has won four major titles and needs one more to secure a spot in the LPGA Tour and World Golf Halls of Fame. Venue: Sunningdale GC, Berkshire Date: July 31- Aug 3 Course stats: 6,408 yards, par 72 Purse: £1,050,000 Winner: £155,000 Defending Champion: Lorena Ochoa (-5) TV coverage: Live on the BBC starting Thursday at 1pm on BBC2 Player watch: Lorena Ochoa – The defending champion will be the favourite again this time round. Annika Sorenstam – She’s announced her retirement at the end of the season but would love to scoop another British Open before leaving the pro circuit. Inbee Park – The young Korean was a surprise winner of the US Women’s Open. She’ll be out to prove her success was not just a flash in the pan. Key hole: 1st and 2nd – The course opens with two par fives measuring just 485 and 489 yards and it’s crucial to get off to a good start. Karen Stupples displayed the importance of this in 2004, playing those first two in -5 in the last round. Skills required: Accuracy – The Old isn’t an overly demanding course if you can keep the ball on the fairways. Stray off line however and heather, birches and pines await.

Fergus Bisset
Fergus Bisset
Contributing Editor

Fergus is Golf Monthly's resident expert on the history of the game and has written extensively on that subject. He has also worked with Golf Monthly to produce a podcast series. Called 18 Majors: The Golf History Show it offers new and in-depth perspectives on some of the most important moments in golf's long history. You can find all the details about it here.

He is a golf obsessive and 1-handicapper. Growing up in the North East of Scotland, golf runs through his veins and his passion for the sport was bolstered during his time at St Andrews university studying history. He went on to earn a post graduate diploma from the London School of Journalism. Fergus has worked for Golf Monthly since 2004 and has written two books on the game; "Great Golf Debates" together with Jezz Ellwood of Golf Monthly and the history section of "The Ultimate Golf Book" together with Neil Tappin , also of Golf Monthly.

Fergus once shanked a ball from just over Granny Clark's Wynd on the 18th of the Old Course that struck the St Andrews Golf Club and rebounded into the Valley of Sin, from where he saved par. Who says there's no golfing god?

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