It would be hard to find a more composed player than Catriona Matthew, but even she has admitted to a few concerns going into the Ricoh Women’s British Open, which starts at Kingsbarns today.
By her high standards the 47-year-old Scot has not enjoyed a stellar season, with no top-ten finishes and a tie for 30th in February her best result.
There is also the added pressure of trying to qualify for the Solheim Cup team and avoiding having to be named as a wild-card pick by Annika Sorenstam, the Europe captain, when the teams are announced on Sunday evening.
“I’m not overly happy where I am,” Matthew admitted. “I’d much rather be playing than relying on a pick. It’s certainly in the back of my mind this week but if I go out and play good golf, that will take care of itself. It’s there but I’m trying not to think about it.
“I’ve been hitting the ball really well, it’s just my putting that needs to be sorted out. All I can do is be patient and stay positive — there’s no point getting down on yourself.”
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Double points are on offer this week in the countdown to the biennial match against the United States and although Matthew is desperate to qualify automatically for a ninth appearance, she is already guaranteed a place at the event in Des Moines, Iowa, in a fortnight as a vice-captain.
Sorenstam is aware of her ambition and the pair have talked at length about team selection. “A lot of factors come into it when you think about the ratio of rookies and experienced players, personalities and how everyone fits together,” Matthew said. “Obviously I haven’t been mentioned in our discussions.”
The only Scot to win the women’s British Open when she triumphed at Royal Lytham & St Annes in 2009, she admits that winning a second time in Britain would be something special.
Matthew’s husband and long-term caddie Graeme has delegated the bag-carrying duties to Andy Dearden while he looks after the couple’s two daughters and, given the trend of players sacking their caddies, Matthew quipped: “Well, I have the same one as last week, so I’m doing well.”
Rated as one of the finest courses built in Britain in the past 20 years, Kingsbarns has stunning views of the North Sea. The east-coast course features big, undulating greens and the players’ skills will be severely tested in extreme weather conditions.
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Ryu So-yeon, the world No 1 from South Korea, heads a stellar field in the season’s fourth major, which also includes 90 of the top 100 players on the LPGA money list. Six amateurs are also competing including two from Ireland, Leona Maguire, 22, and Olivia Mehaffey, 19.
Charley Hull, the British No 1, has been given the all clear after a scan on her injured right wrist yesterday and Dame Laura Davies is set to appear in her 37th consecutive British Open after coming through a sudden-death play-off in final qualifying on Monday.
“I’ve only qualified for US Opens before so I can’t really complain too much but it’s not a fun thing to do,” she said. “If you want to play bad enough you’ll do it. My first priority is to make the cut and then put in a decent finish. Saying I could win it is ludicrous but I’m due a good week.”
Five to watch at Kingsbarns
Ryu So-yeon (S Kor)
The 27-year-old world No 1 has not finished outside the top 15 in a major in her past eight starts. Shares the same coach, Cameron McCormick, as Jordan Spieth.
Lexi Thompson (US)
Risen to highest ranking of her career this week to world No 2. The long-hitting 22-year-old overcame a rules controversy at the first major this year to register three 2nd place finishes and a win since. Her Scottish caddie Kevin McAlpine used to work at Kingsbarns.
Charley Hull (GB)
The British No 1 says Kingsbarns is one of her favourite courses and has already proved she has the power to overcome it. Has a best finish of tied 12th in the British Open and is desperate to claim her first title and emulate her hero, Laura Davies.
Olafia Kristinsdottir (Ice)
The tour rookie is the first Icelandic player to earn an LPGA card. The 24-year-old is a graduate of Arnold Palmer’s alma mater, Wake Forest, and was thrilled to be invited to the legend’s home to meet him and is a close friend of Cheyenne Woods, Tiger’s niece.
Atthaya Thitikul (Thai)
The 14-year-old amateur from Thailand became the youngest winner in Ladies European Tour history when she captured the Thailand Championship earlier this month. She played off a scratch handicap a year ago.