Charley Hull seeking home comforts at Women's British Open

27 July 2016 01:53

England's number one Charley Hull will have to deal with the added expectation of home advantage in the Ricoh Women's British Open.

The tournament has returned to Woburn - the 20-year-old's club - for the first time in 17 years.

Hull, whose previous best finish in four previous appearances in the British Open is 12th at Royal Birkdale in 2014, is confident she can deal with the spotlight but insists her local knowledge may not be that advantageous.

"I haven't actually played the Marquess' (course) that many times, even though I've been a member there since I was 10," she told ladieseuropeantour.com.

"I usually play on the Duke's and the Duchess' Courses because they are very tight. I still need to play a couple of practice rounds.

"It would be great to win the British Open, especially at your home golf course.

"There's going to be a lot of pressure on me and a lot of focus, so I'm not going to be thinking about it too much.

"It's going to be special but I'm not going to make it more than it is, it's just another tournament, on my home golf course."

Woburn hosts the championship for the first time since it gained major status in 2001, although it has always previously been played on the Duke's Course.

Australian Karrie Webb's first of three British Opens titles was won at Woburn in 1995 so a return holds fond memories for her.

"I'm really looking forward to going back," said the 41-year-old seven-time major winner.

"Obviously it's different to the courses we've played recently in the British Open but what I remember from before was that you really have to be hitting good tee shots to give yourself a chance to hit good approach shots into the greens."

Defending champion Inbee Park will not be at Woburn after withdrawing last week due to an injury to her left thumb.

World number four Lexi Thompson, a winner with the United States in the UL International Crown team event last week, has arrived in England with a new putter in tow.

"In Chicago on Tuesday I got fitted for a new putter and I feel very comfortable with it. Hopefully it will go well for me this week," she said.

That may be easier to get to grips with than the English weather, although Woburn is more like courses she is used to than the usual links style for British Opens.

"Being a Florida girl I'm not used to the 50-degree weather and the rain but that is what we expect when we come to the British," she added.

"But it (Woburn) is definitely a little easier because this one is more like a States golf course, although not as firm."

Source: PA