LORENA OCHOA HEADS

STAR-STUDDED FIELD

FOR WOMEN'S BRITISH
OPEN AT SUNNINGDALE

Defending champion and World Number 1, Lorena Ochoa will be joined by the world’s other best players when she defends her Ricoh Women’s British Open title at Sunningdale Golf Club from 31 July to 3 August.
Seeped in history and the only Major to take place outside of the USA, the 2008 Ricoh Women’s British Open is set to be one of the highlights on this year’s golfing calendar, with 144 players from around the world competing for a total prize fund of GBP£1,050,000.
With the race for qualification for the 2008 championship very much underway and entries closing on 1st July 2008, there are number of players who can relax, having already secured their place in a line-up that is starting to resemble a who’s who of women’s golf.
Former champions at Sunningdale, Karrie Webb, Se Ri Pak and Karen Stupples qualify as former winners of the event, as does World Number 2, Annika Sorenstam who won the title in 2003.
World No. 4, Paula Creamer, Japan’s Yuri Fudoh - the World No. 18 and Miki Saiki - the World No. 29, have also qualified with a top 15 finish at the 2007 championship.
So too have Scottish stars, Catriona Matthew and Mhairi McKay while the 2007 Amateur Medal Winner, England’s Melissa Reid, who has built on her magnificent performance since finishing tied 16th at last year’s Championship, looks set to qualify through the LET money list on which she is currently ranked 3rd.
Since winning the Ricoh Women’s British Open last August, the first Major of her career, Lorena (pictured above) has gone from strength to strength, consolidating her place at the top of the Rolex World Rankings by winning eight more tournament titles including a second Major title.
The 2007 Ricoh Women’s British Open was the first professional women’s golf tournament to be played on the Old Course at St Andrews and Ricoh’s first as title sponsor and fittingly the first Major title for the popular World No 1.
“Sometimes I think it could only have been a dream that I won my first Major at the Home of Golf – there couldn’t have been a better setting for me to achieve my goal of winning a Major title and to have my family around me to share in the celebrations at such a historic venue made it all the more perfect. The replica of the Trophy sits proudly on my mantlepiece and the memories of my win at The Home of Golf will live with me for ever,” enthused Lorena.
Lorena has made a dazzling start to 2008, winning three out of her first four events, including a second Major to add to her haul - the Kraft Nabisco Championship – by a five0shot margin last month.
Lorena confirmed; “I was thrilled to win my second Major at the Kraft Nabisco last month – jumping in the lake with my family and friends at the end was a very special moment. I can also say that I am very glad the tradition for winners at St Andrews is to pose with the trophy on the Swilcan Bridge rather than jump in the Swilcan burn as it would have been very cold!
"I was fortunate to win a lot of titles last year but of course the one I am most looking forward to defending is the Ricoh Women’s British Open. I am really excited about playing in Sunningdale again. I finished 4th there in 2004 so I know the course suits my game and I have a great chance.”
The Ricoh Women’s British Open was founded by the Ladies Golf Union in 1976, has been co-sanctioned by the LPGA and LET since 1994 and gained Major status in 2001. The event is managed and implemented in conjunction with IMG, the world’s largest sports marketing company.
For more information, including the latest news and advance ticket offers, please visit http://www.ricohwomensbritishopen.com/ or call our ticket line on +448719459421.