Hoylake to host Women's Open in 2012

01 Feb 2010 - 17:16:39

The Ricoh Women's British Open will be held for the first time at Hoylake - scene of Tiger Woods' last Open victory - in 2012.

To avoid a clash with the London Olympics, the championship moves from its traditional late-July date to September 13-16.

Shona Malcolm, the Ladies' Golf Union's chief executive officer, said: "We are absolutely delighted to be introducing Royal Liverpool Golf Club at Hoylake to the Ricoh British Women's Open course rotation."

She added: "The Ladies' Golf Union is committed to playing the Women's British Open at the best British courses and it is a great coup for the top players to be heading to such an esteemed venue.

"Adding this news to previously announced Carnoustie for 2011 and our return to St Andrews in 2013, we have a thrilling few years ahead of us."

The Royal Liverpool club is the second oldest seaside links golf course in England.

Built on a racecourse in 1869, it has played host to some of golf's most historical moments, including 11 men's Opens.

In 1930 it was part of American Bobby Jones's amazing "Grand Slam" of amateur and Open titles on both sides of the Atlantic in the same year, while Woods triumphed amid emotional scenes in 2006 shortly after the death of his father Earl.

Scot Catriona Matthew, winner at Royal Lytham last year, defends her title at Royal Birkdale in Southport on July 29-August 1.