Caddie Golf Tours

A great announcement from the sponsors of the Women's British Open, Ricoh, that they are to continue supporting the event until 2013. There was further good news for Scotland when the venues of Carnoustie in 2011 and then a return to the Old Course St. Andrews in 2013 were confirmed, by the Ladies Golf Union, for the championship. The Women's Open was held at the Old Course in 2007 and was a huge success. The world's number 1 Lorena Ochoa won the first professional womens championship to be held over the legendary links and I am sure she and many other players will be relishing the opportunity to play the Old Lady again. The golf links of Carnoustie, in 2011, will prove a real stern test for the ladies and this has generated a good deal of conversation about what tees they will use and how they will cope with this most treacherous of golf links in Scotland. I think the golf course may win! Wonderful news for Scotland and for the ladies championship in securing the sponsorsh...

LPGA player Catriona Matthew, a born and bred Scot from North Berwick, today completed a steady march to her first Major title at the Ladies British Open, contested over the treacherous links course of Lytham St. Annes. Catriona lead by three shots at the start of the fourth day and though she had a couple of slips birdies at the 13th,14th and 15th gave her a four stroke advantage over the closing strectch. A dropped shot at the 17th did not do any real harm. A final four round total of 285, three under par, secures the prize and close to £200,000 pounds. A superb effort, 68, from Karrie Webb, a three time former British Open champion, gave her second place on even par. Four players shared third place on +1, Paula Creamer, Christina Kim, Ai Miyazato (Japan) and Hee-Won Han (Korea). A wee footnote to Catriona Matthew's win and possibly one of the reasons she likes the golf course at Lytham St. Annes: she won the British Amateur title at this venue sixteen years ago!

The Swiss Open , the first proper Ladies European Tour event, was completed today and I am really pleased to report that three of the Scottish Rookies performed admirably, making the cut as well as earning a few thousand Euros for their efforts. The top placed of the Scottish girls was, the very focused, St. Andrews protege Krystle Caithness who finished tied for 18th on -6. The wonderful Michele Thomson, former Scottish Amateur Champion,  followed with a tied position of 35th at -1 and Pamela Feggans finished with a score of +1 and a tie for 44th. This will give these girls a massive confidence boost, completing four rounds in their first professional tournament and finishing so well. They all now know that they can compete at this level so I would hope that this experience will stand them in good stead for the forthcoming events. Well done all.