British Open Coverage

European Players Look to Shine at Ricoh Women's British Open

A strong European contingent will be looking to make their mark at the final Major of the year, the Ricoh Women’s British Open, as they also hope to secure their place in the 2011 European Solheim Cup team.

Laura Davies, having played in 30 consecutive Championships, is currently leading the Solheim Cup rankings and is very much looking forward to the challenges offered by the Carnoustie links in Angus, Scotland, 28th to 31st July, 2011.

Davies, a winner of 45 tournaments worldwide, said “I think we are all excited to play at Carnoustie for the first time. It is a very famous course and the LGU has definitely kept its promise to rotate the Ricoh Women’s British Open around the very best courses and I am looking forward to the week very much. It is the time of year I really enjoy so I hope that will bring out my best golf.

Melissa Reid is currently lying second on the Solheim Cup standings and, with two professional wins already in her fledgling career, she is now looking to make an impact on the Majors.

Reid explained, “It is going to be a very important week for everyone. Of course the UK and European players want to win their ‘home’ Major but, as well as that, there will be lots of points on offer to players trying to ensure their place on the European Solheim Cup team – it is a fantastic part in the LET season with all the American players over for a couple of weeks and it is definitely the time you want to shine.”

Christel Boeljon of Holland is currently third on the Henderson Money list and well-placed to make her Solheim Cup debut, lying in third place on the European Solheim Cup rankings. She enjoyed her first professional win at the Turkish Airlines Ladies Open and has finished in the top 10 in six of her last seven tournaments.

As a Ricoh Ambassador, Boeljon is really looking forward to making her mark at this year’s Championship. She added, “I missed the cut last year and am absolutely determined to do a whole lot better this year. I am very grateful for Ricoh’s support of my career and I would really like to make them proud by playing my best golf in this prestigious event.”

There is any number of European contenders, including last year’s amateur medal winner, Caroline Hedwall, already a winner in her rookie season, and Becky Brewerton, winner of the 2011 Tenerife Ladies Match Play Championship earlier this month. The more experienced European players cannot be discounted with the likes of Maria Hjorth, currently in 6th position on the Solheim Cup rankings, Karen Stupples, a former champion who has been featuring on the leader boards this year, and of course 2009 Champion Catriona Matthew and Janice Moodie, returning to action having had her second child in March. Both Catriona and Janice will be available to speak to you on a special Ricoh Women’s British Open conference call on 28th June 2011 at 1pm East US/6pm UK.

Sans Chris Berman, ESPN's First Coverage Of The British Open Is ...

The talent low of the week - again - was Rick Reilly.  Since signing with ESPN, Reilly has struggled to find his place. Reilly has been asked to convert the prime rib version of his writing into essayist work in golf, probably because the average golf viewer still recalls his glory days.  Reilly quickly dismissed Oosthuizen's chances going into the weekend.  He said he was rooting hard for John Daly. (Who isn't?)  

The essays were contrived and seemed to lack a real emotional connection with the topic and the audience.  The Open has such a depth of history that there is no need for easy jokes, and golf has such a niche audience that it is almost insulting to offer such cursory analysis.  Jack Whittaker, Reilly is not.  Rich Lerner, Reilly is not.  As though Bristol was beaming Nielsen Portable People Meter results to Scotland in real time, Reilly was mercilessly moved to the tail end of the weekend telecasts or extricated altogether.  He was the only reason the clicker came out all weekend.

If the network wants to bring a writer into the booth, bring in Jason Sobel.  He is not often in front of the camera, but the guy knows his stuff and, frankly, could be one of those guys that has real crossover potential in the game.

Certain photos copyright © 2011 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.

Scoreboard data copyright © 2011 by STATS LLC. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC is strictly prohibited.

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