Thailand’s Ariya Jutanugarn arrived at the Ricoh Women’s British Open ranked No. 1 and already a ten-time winner of the LPGA despite still being just 22 years old. She is the first to confess that she has never been a great fan of links courses but now she appears to be coming round to the idea that she can handle them.
Her confidence has had a big boost from her bunker shots that saved her at the US Women’s Open in June. She was close to throwing away victory but managed to save par twice from greenside bunkers.
Jutangurn has found herself in great form, with a win at the Aberdeen Standard Investments Ladies Scottish Open on Sunday. She is looking like a player who might hold that top ranking for some time if she can win at Royal Lytham & St Annes.
The favourites for the Women’s British Open
The season’s fourth Major is on the table at Lytham & St Annes with Round 1 starting this morning. Ariya Jutanugarn is the favourite to win, listed at 7/1, followed by Jin Young Ko, So Yeon Ryu and Minjee Lee.
Bronte Law could do well on home soil
From the home players, Bronte Law has had a good start and was four under at the 12th. Back in 2016 Bronte caught attention as the leading amateur going into the weekend. Bronte was born in Stockport, which is around an hour away from Lytham & St Annes. She is now 67th in the Rolex Ranking.
Karrie Webb sends out a warning
Three-time British Open champion Karrie Webb has warned of the severe pot bunkers at Lytham & St Annes, saying: “There were times I had to take an unplayable but they’re softer than when the women last played here in 2009.”