Women's British Open 2010 - Friday July 30th - Round 2

Arrived at Royal Birkdale at 8.45am and found the first group of the day of Janice Moodie, Amy Yang and Iben Tinning teeing off on the 10th. Next up was Karen Stupples' group. Wondered where she had got to as only 2 players and three caddies made their way past me. Turned round and Karen was stood on the tee already, stony faced. A double bogey, bogey run will do that to you. In the next group Sophie Gustafson also mooched her way onto the tee by herself looking less than chuffed. She too had just bogeyed nine. She hit a nice tee shot on 10. Xtina immediately shouted "Oh God, Get left" and then "Sit" when hitting her tee shot.

Tutta also appeared on her lonesome on the 10th tee but she had at least made par on nine. Wie looked miffed as she walked on the tee. She had just made bogey. She stared very hard after her tee shot. The marshalls were signalling it was going leftish. She was mad with herself. She threw an imaginary something to the floor and stood off to the side of the tee with her hands on her hips. It turned out she was in the fairway bunker. She could only advance it out a tad. Cue another bogey.

Kerr, BamBam and Alfie were next. Alfie's trudge to the tee gave away the fact she had just bogeyed nine. After they had teed off I followed the usual plan and wandered over to the 14th hole. Ken Brown was rolling balls on the green and making notes. He got a right ribbing from the crowd when he failed to hole the one he aimed at the flag. Took a bit of time before Janice Moodie's group appeared on the tee. The crowd then increaed significantly as the local Birkdale lot were out supporting Kelly Tidy in Karen Stupples' group.

Sophie's group was next to play. She and Kitada had both putted out before Xtina arrived even though she was away. This was because Xtina was using the portaloo up at the 14th tee and seemed to be taking ages to get all her layers sorted out. Tutta was hitting first in her group being 4 under for the day. She liked her tee shot but it came up short but leaving a downhill putt. Wie was hitting last being 5 over for the day. Tutta really thought she'd made her birdie putt but it just slipped by.

A change of plan saw me move over to the side of the 15th tee once Tutta had putted out to follow them out towards 16. There was no great cheer from the 14th green so Wie had obviously missed her 6 footer for birdie. Tutta and Wie hit lovely teeshots. Kitada got into trouble and had to hack out up the fairway. Tutta obviously wasn't going for the green in 2 but came up just short and left of the green. Wie went for the green but ended up in the left hand front greenside bunker close to the big front wall. Her reaction when she saw the ball says it all. "Ooh Ugly". She couldn't go for the flag and did well to get out where she did, aiming to the lower level of the green away from the flag. Tutta hit a nice chip up onto the green but the birdie putt just missed. All three got their par.

It's a long trog back to the 16th tee so I hung around at 15 to watch the group behind come through. Alfie completely duffed her third shot and made bogey. Kerr and Bam Bam both birdied. Crossed the 16th fairway below the green and watched Wie and Tutta putt out. Both missed what looked like makeable birdie putts. Headed off towards the landing zone on the 17th fairway.

The first ball I saw land was just on the left of the fairway. Tutta was hitting first so Kitada would be next. However, the next ball went bounding down the fairway to Wie length. Turns out I hadn't seen Tutta's ball land because she had hit it left into some nasty stuff on the side of the huge mound on the LHS of the fairway. All she could do was lash it up the fairway. Hit it nicely and left herself a birdie putt but it just missed.

The 18th is a hell of a hole to walk so I stayed put as Cristie Kerr was also in trouble having hit it onto the top of the large mound ending up behind one of the TV's antennae things. A rules official had to be called. Worth, her caddy and a technician had to carry the antennae away and we in the crowd had to stand well back as she hacked it out well into the fairway. Left them to it and wandered round to see the results of the Wie/Tutta teeshots. Both were in the fairway. Both hated their approach shots. Wie ran across the fairway after hitting hers and practiced the shot she should have hit. Tutta slammed her club into the ground in frustration. Tutta ended up in the right greenside bunker with a horrible stance one foot in the bunker one bracing herself against the back. She got up and down.

Went for a beer and sat in front of the leaderboard. It started to rain. Was OK sat on my seat under my brolly. Eventually put my waterproof trousers on and with the rain stopped, sat in front of the big screen to watch TV coverage. Headed down for a bacon roll and whilst sat undercover eating it the rain got heavier. In full waterproof gear, stood by the 10th tee to see the big names got through but play was very slow and the rain was horrible so decided to go home and catch the rest of the 2nd round on the Beeb at home.

Women's British Open 2010 - Thursday July 29th - Round 1

Arrived at the course at 9.00am. Weather looked threatening. A quick check on the leaderboard had Juli Inkster and Jiyai Shin leading on -1. Made my way towards the 10th tee. The 3rd group of the day - Jiyai Shin, Anna Nordqvist and Becky Brewerton had just teed off. Next up was LD, Pressel and Mika Miyazato followed by Catriona Matthew, Paula Creamer and Florentyna Parker. Last group watched there was Ai Chan, Meliisa Reid and Karrie Webb who wad just got to -3.

Wandered over to the 14th green in time to see the 2nd group of the day which included Juli Inkster and JJ. They were followed by the Shin, Nordqvist, Brewerton group. Anna made a lovely long birdie putt to get back to +2. Becky Brew just missed a birdie to stay +1. LD and her group were up next. Catriona Matthew, Paula Creamer, Ai Chan, Meliisa Reid and Karrie Webb also passed through the 14th whilst I was stood there. Have to point out that whilst stood by the 14th I had to put on my waterproof trousers, break out the waterproof cagougle, open the M2002 Commonwealth Games volunteer uniform umbrella and put on the gloves. Wather was awful.

By 11.00am it was time to make my way to the stand behind the 1st tee. Luckily the rain had abated and it was just a tad windy. I sat right at the back overlooking the steps so I didn't have to get up and down every time someone arrived/left and no heads where in the way. It filled up really quickly as the next tee time arrived as a number of good groups were about to tee off. First up was Iben Tinning, Amy Jang and Janice Moodie, who got a very good reception. Karen Stupples also got a good reception but nothing like that given to the local member and British Am Champ Kelly Tidy. Sherri Steinhauer must have felt a bit left out but she got a decent enough reception. Xtina Kim remains as popular as ever and gave the crowd a really big smile when introduced.

Sophie Gustafson was up next. Her tee shot looked good but just kept a bit left and ended in the fairway bunker. Suzann Pettersen arrived at the 1st tee looking a right numpty with one of the Nike woolly hats on top of one of her Nike baseball caps. Michelle Wie arrived and she and Suzann had an animated Nike wardrobe comparison. Michelle was obvioulsy giving Tutta a hard time about the hat situation. Much laughing and joking between the 2 of them ensued until Tutta went with the baseball cap only look.

Alfie was also sporting the numpty hat look but stuck with it. Once she, Kerr and Bam Bam had teed off, I set off into the countryside. I wandered off alongside the 9th/10th and chose to go up to the side of the 10th green where Kyeong Bae, Kristy McPherson and the Welsh amateur Amy Boulden were playing. Having watched them tee off on the 11th I negotiated my way down the 11th fairway and crossed over by the green to make my way over the 8th fairway towards the 7th hole.

The 7th hole was never a great spectator hole but with the change of direction of the tee and the way it was roped off, it is now even worse but the mega plus side is that the old 7th tee position which was previously inaccesible, is now a perfect viewpoint for the 6th hole 2nd shot onwards. Got there in time to catch up with the Stupples group. Karen's tee shot was quite a bit left and she had to lay up. She completely duffed her 3rd shot and made bogey.

Michelle Wie had hit a great tee shot long and bang in the middle of the fairway. Tutta was a long way back from her behind the RHS fairway bunker as was their Japanese playing partner. Kitada hit her 2nd left of the fairway and into the hazard. Having penalty dropped she hit into the front left greenside pot bunker and then three putted. Ouch. Whilst this was happening Michelle and Tutta were chatting in the fairway. Wie's second was long in the fringe at the back of the green despite Mrs Wie shouting "Sit, Sit, Stop, Sit" in my right ear. Tutta's 2nd ended up just short and left of the green avoiding the bunker and her lovely chip left her a short birdie putt which she made. Wie's chip from the back was weak leaving a 15ft birdie putt and she made just par.

Cristie Kerr had hit her tee shot on 6 quite a way back and had to lay up whilst Kitada was sorting herself out. It wasn't a great layup ending up on the RHS bank. At this point a bacon roll and a cup of tea were calling. I mossied over to the 7th to see Wie miss her birdie putt there and Tutta missing her par after hitting into a greenside bunker. Made my way back over the 8th and 11th fairways and up to 10th green, then over to the crossing point on the 13th fairway close to the green where Pernilla Lindberg's mum was not so happy with life. Daughter was +11 after 12.

Trogged up the hill and down again by the 13th green/14th tee and rested up with bacon roll and tea for 30 mins. Headed back to the 14th green to watch the main groups go through. Mr Yang stood by us to watch where Amy's tee shot landed, her being in the lead at the time. Karen Stupple and Kelly Tidy were deep in conversation as they walked up to the 14th green. Sophie was obvioulsy hedging her bets having her rain jacket draped over her shoulders.

The flag was in a really difficult sport over to the right front of the green behind one of the front greenside bunkers. Most players seemed to have decided to play safe, hit the middle of the green, two putt and move on. Wie, Pettersen and Kitada did just that. Bam Bam and Alfie were chatting on their way up to the 14th, Alfie still sporting the silly headgear. Having eatched that group play 14 I headed to the refreshment area for a beer and to watch a bit of the TV coverage before heading for home.

Women's British Open 2010 - Wednesday July 28th - Practice

Arrived at Birkdale at about 9.00am. Weather was a little better than yesterday. No need to start the day in the waterproof trousers. Set off down the ninth from the green and came across Paula Creamer and Morgan Pressel playing as a two. Wandered back to the 8th and watched Becky Brewerton and Trish Johnson's group play up to the green, then wandered up to the 10th green and waited for Creamer and Pressel to arrive.

Stood right behind the 11th tee and waited for their arrival. Paula was asked for an autograph and photo, Morgan was not. She didn't seem happy to be ignored. Headed off down the 11th fairway and crossed over at the green and headed for the 7th green. Was a bit confused because they have changed the whole layout of that hole since 2005. The tee has moved through 90 degrees. They did it when the men were there in 2008. Yani Tseng was playing the hole when I arrived. As it was the practice round I hopped over the rope and got a view of the hole that will be unavailable the rest of the tournament.

Next group up at the 7th tee was Catriona Matthew, Cristie Kerr, Suzann Pettersen and the local British Amateur winner Kelly Tidy who is a member of Royal Birkdale. What a great experience for the am. Cristie Kerr and Catriona Matthew were having a great chin wag as they walked down to the green. David Leadbetter and his daughter were out walking with Tutta. Although all the tee shots had landed on the green, much bunker practice ensued. Catriona had to wait for Cristie to finish as they had both picked the same bunker to hit out of.

Wandered up the 8th fairway to see the outcome of their tee shots. Cristie Kerr hit her first tee shot way left into some nasty stuff on the bank so hit another one which was also heading left but got a nice bounce back into the fairway. She didn't quite know where the first ball ended up. Some lads had seen it land and pointed it out to her. They got no thnks for their pains. She said she'd just chip it out if it was for real and proceeded to play on with her second ball. Tutta was the shortest and in the left semirough. Took an iron onto the green but not very close. Catriona had hit a bomb of a tee shot and hit a lovely iron which left her with a nice birdie putt which she made.

Watched them tee off on number 9. They disappeared down the fairway having a good laugh at something. Waited for the group behind to tee off on 9. Pernilla Lindberg and Azahara Munoz were mugging for the camera as Pernilla's mum was taking photos. Headed off behind the ninth tee and found myself by the second green where I'd never been before. When following a particular group the 2nd green has to be viewed from a distance otherwise you can't catch them up on the 3rd. I also caught a glimpse of the 3rd tee which is well hidden up behind the second green and inaccesible for spectators.

Wandered back over to the 10th and caught up with Tutta's group. Catriona had disappeared. Obviously nine was enough for her today. Cristie Kerr pulled her approach shot way left into the bank around the green, flung her club at her bag and stalked off up the fairway. Worth her caddy followed her, at a safe distance until they spotted another game bird making its way across the fairway. They were fascinated by it until it flew away. And no, I don't know what it was except it wasn't the same as the one I saw yesterday.

Up by the 10th green Tutta, Dave Brooker and David Leadbetter were having an enormous laugh about something or other. I stood directly behind the 11th tee and managed to video Tutta's tee shot. It was a super shot right down the middle of the fairway. Kerr was up next and striped one down the middle as well. Kelly Tidy wasn't so lucky. Her first tee shot went way right. Her re-load was a lot better. Wandered off back to the 14th green area when the weather took a turn for the worse.

Almost lost my umbrella to the wind. Went to get an early bacon roll and cup of tea so I could shelter under their awning thing. Ended up sitting next to Captain Alison Nicholas. Just got settled when the heavens absolutely opened as a big squall came through. A second followed close behind so it was time to put the waterproof trousers on.

Tutta and co had reached the 14th green by the time I passed by. Both Kerr and Tutta blazed their first tee shot over the back of the green but hit nice second attempts. Both of them said goodbye to Kelly at this point as they had had enough and were heading off for lunch. Decided I had had enough for the day and headed off back home to rest up for the tournament proper.

Women's British Open 2010 - Tuesday July 27th - Pro Am

Got to Birkdale in nasty drizzle. An artic was being dragged out of the public car park entrance so I had to use the staff car park. Discovered a new innovation this year. Two shotgun pro-ams - one am and one pm. Wandered out to the 14th green where I found Sophie Gustafson. Next up was Cristie Kerr, sporting a natty piece of headgear. She did sort of acknowledge me on leaving the green. She had given one of her playing partners some tips on getting out of a bunker on 14 and some swing tips on the 15th tee. When he hit a good tee shot she told him he owned her $150. He said she was reasonably priced. She retorted that he also owed her $150 for the bunker advice.

Amanda Blumenhurst was next down the 14th. She was having fun with her partners and said Hi to me as she passed on her way to the 15th tee. Karen Stupples was next up and the crowd which had swelled to two were greeted with a polite Good morning from Karen. There was such a big gap after Karen's group that I wandered up the hill and over to the 13th fairway.

Arrived just in time to see Mika Miyazato helping one of her playing partners find his ball in some really nasty stuff short & left of the 13th green. She was playing with a group of her compatriots so it seemed strange whe nhe shouted "Found it".

At this point headed off to the practice range to see who was about then wandered up to the pitching green where I spied an unusual sight. Mardi Lunn, caddying for Trish Johnson these days was watching without a fag in her hand. Larry, the blogging caddie, caddying for Kris Tamulis, was sporting very unusual wet weather headgear - a basball cap with a towel wrapped round his head and neck. It won't catch on as a fashion statement, I hope.

On my way back to the practice green I came across Tutta teeing off at the 10th and decided to follow her for a few holes. Recognised a couple of faces. Her mum was following as was David Leadbetter.

On the 11th fairway David Leadbetter disappeared off and headed in the direction of the group in front. I left Tutta's group holing out on the 11th and wandered around in time to see the Wie group on the 12th green. Bj was fussing around down on the green whilst Bo was up on the hillside in spectator mode.

Wie had a 5 foot putt for birdie on one of the flatter greens on the course. There was a very disappointed exclamation from Bo when she missed the putt. She and her playing patrners seemed to be interacting well. Her playing partners wanted their photos taken with her together with David Leadbetter.

Waited by the 13th tee for Tutta. After much discussion with Dave Brooker about distance to various bunkers and lines to aim for off the tee, Tutta changed her club and proceeded to hit her tee shot into the large fairway bunker she was most wanting to avoid.

As I was the only crowd following the group I opted to follow them down the fairway rather than heading over behind the ropes. It makes a nice change to walk on the short stuff rather than in the long grass. Tutta advanced the ball a short way down the fairway out of the bunker and then hit a gorgeous iron shot to three feet from the pin to save par.

Caught up with Wie on the 14th green. Another new experience for me. Wie being asked for an autograph and her saying yes! Tutta hit a lovely shot on 14 to 6 feet and made a nice birdie. Tutta teed off on 15 with some sort of game bird wandering about just in front of the tee. I don't know exactly waht it was. My degree was in Marine Biology not Ornithology. Give me molluscs and I'm OK.

Decided it was time for a bacon roll and a cup of tea between the pitching area and practice range. Sun came out so it was off with the waterproof trousers. Wandered off to the putting green to see the afternoon Proam types getting ready. Jiyai Shin's caddie had some framed picture to give her as a pressie from Evian as far as I can make out.

On the practice green Anna Nordquist got some sort of putting tool out of her bag and proceeded to show Brittany Lincicombe how to use it including getting down on her haunches to guide Brittany's putter head, just like a coach. Lots of locals seemed to be avidly taking photos of the two of them but it turned out the legendary Alan Hansen was preparing for the Proam on the green in front of them.

Headed out to the 14th green to watch Anna Nordquist starting the afternoon Proam then watched Yani Tseng playing the 9th green and teeing off on 10. Sat in the stand behind the 1st tee to watch Chritina Kim's group tee off. She got a big round of applause and said Hi to everyone loudly. Decided that after 6 hours of fresh air it was time to head for home.

Women's British Open - Sunday August 2nd - Day 4

The Inn on the Prom's website needs to update its directions since the demise of Woolies. There was one parking spot left for me. The walk to the club was about as long as the walk from the clubhouse to the public carpark.

Had to go in the pedestrian entrance and then had to go out of my way to get a drawsheet but at least I could check out the giant scorebard straight away. Was on my way to see Lorena tee off the first when realised that Larry was coming down 18. He and Kris Tamulis were the first out at 6.50am (after she took a 12 at the 6th the previous day) and were finishing off in 3 hours flat. She made sure to give a signed golf ball to the walking scorers who had gone round the course with her.

Larry was accosted for his caddies bib which amused him. Whilst she was signing her card, Larry took off his waterproof coat and stuffed it into the nearest bin. He said he was also going to dump the waterproof trousers and trainers before he went home. He was off to stay the night in an airport hotel before flying home. As soon as Kris emerged from the scorers hut, Ron Sirak pounced to ask her exactly what conditions were like out there and how they were different from the previous day. Easier than going out and walking the course for himself.

Went over to the first green to see Lorena and JJ tee off. JJ went first, landed the ball short of the green, got a good bounce up onto the green and the ball then just rolled towards the hole and at the last minute dropped into the hole for a hole in one. She had a mega smile on her face when she arrived on the green and got a large round of applause. Got another good clap when she retrieved her ball. She then gave us a round of applause. Or maybe she was clapping herself! Lorena tried the same shot but didn't get the same bounce and came up short. She left herself a testy par putt which she took ages over but finally made.

Next up were Hur and Wie, together for the 2nd day running. Both tried to repeat JJ's shot but Wie was short and Hur pin high but wide right. Neither made birdie. Next up was Michelle Redman and Becky Morgan who were both on the green but not close. Redman is a fussy bugger. Her caddie, Coffee Joe, was asking for silence whilst she was prowling around the green not just when she was about to hit the shot.

Yuri Fudoh's tee shot landed close to where JJ's ball had landed but took off like a scalded cat.It would have run off the back of the green if it handn't hit the flagpole and almost dropped in. She was left with a tap in birdie. Yani was not so lucky. She ended up in a front greenside bunker and ended up making bogey.

Cristie Kerr was next up. She landed her ball too far onto the green and ran off the back into the first cut. Her chip back onto the green was a little clumsy and she didn't make her par putt. Not a happy bunny. Brittany Lincicombe was finishing her round on 18 behind us. She was 3 under par but in one of the horrid fairway bunkers. She made a great up and down.

I followed the Kerr/Eberl group down the 2nd and 3rd holes and then wandered around to my usual spot overlooking the 6th hole. Michelle Wie had hit a fabulous drive into position A on the sixth and her second shot ran up onto the back of the green to give her a very makeable eagle put. Mum was very exited about it and shouted "Great shot Michelle". God knows if Michelle could hear as she was way down the fairway. She didn't make the eagle put but had a simple tap in bridie.

Becky Morgan's second shot was a tad wayward and ended up on the upslope of the mound I was standing on practically in touching distance. She made her par from there. Michelle Redman was even fussier on the 6th green. Three spectators were standing at the back of the 6th green minding their own business standing still. Redman wasn't happy because they were in her putt line and shouted at them to move! Much comment in the crowd that it was just as well she wasn't a very successful and popular player who had to deal with a green totally surrounded with people all day long.

Yuri Fudoh and Yani were next up. Yani put her second shot in the deep front left greenside bunker. When she saw her lie she put her hands on her hips in frustration. She got out OK but didn't get her birdie. Martina Eberl hit her tee shot into somewhere nasty and had to just chip out onto the fairway. Cristie Kerr had hit hers onto the mound on the left side of the fairway. She went for it but pulled it short and left into a really deep fairway bunker. Eberl nearly followed her in but just stopped on the top of the bunker mound. All Kerr could do was come out of the bunker sideways which she did OK. She then gave her golf bag an almighty kick. She was steaming. She did make her par.

Wandered off to get a bacon roll and caught up with Lorena Ochoa and JJ making their way onto the 12th tee and then with Michelle Wie playing onto the 11th green. She was short of the green in 2, hit a lovely little chip shot onto the green but missed the birdie put. She had got it to 4 over so she was 3 under for the day. Made my way back to my spot on the sixth as Mimi's group played thru.

Karrie played a great second shot landing short of the green and running up onto the green. Se Ri put it in a RHS greenside bunker. Karrie only just missed her eagle putt. She had a tap in birdie. Se Ri got her par. Saw Creamer going through the 3rd green clad in her usual pink but not using her Sunday pink ball. Having had a sit in the sun for a bit to rest my weary legs and feet I checked out Yuri Fudoh and Yani Tseng teeing off on the 14th before getting a new perspective on the 6th by watching paly from the back of the green. Michelle Redman had already gone through so I reckoned I was safe.

Jane Park hit her third into a nasty spot to the left of the green but she at least avoided the sand. her pitch was a little clumsy and she ended up with a bogey. Shinobu Moromizato's caddie seems to be her coach as well. He barks orders at her constantly right up to the moment she hits. She was in one of the deep greenside bunkers on the left of the sixth but safely made her par. Creamer was just short in two, hit a nice shot onto the green and made the birdie put.

Song-Hee Kim and Shin missed out on their birdie chances on the 6th whilst both Miyazatos got their birdies. Xtina's second shot came up short of the green. Her third shot was a little clumsy and ran on a good distance past the hole. She didn't make the birdie putt and we had the classic Xtina knee bend reaction. Beany pulled her second shot way left into the crowd on a mound to the left of the 6th green. Her pitch out didn't go very far, landing on a very narrow strip of ground between 2 greenside bunkers. From there she hit a nice pitch and made the par putt.

Moved round to the back of the 13th green as Karrie and Se Ri appear. There was a bit of a moment with one of the marshalls. She had been running round the place handing out cups of coffee but then decided it was time to take her rainpants off. She was a large lady and was therefore blocking the view of a number of people who had been sat at that spot all day. The crowd asked her to move politely but she just looked at them. Someone did say she made a better door than a window. She still wasn't moving until someone pointed out all the spots around the green that marshalls had access to that we didn't. She chuntered a little but moved off and leant against a tree where she wasn't blocking anyones view.

Wandered off down the 14th to go to the loo over the 15th tee crossing point. No queue and nice and clean. Karrie and Se Ri were playing the hole when I got back to the 14th green. Karrie put her 2nd shot into the front left bunker but got up and down for her par. Se Ri was in the right front greenside bunker but she didn't get up and down. No sign of the aussie lasses. Once their walking crowd had left I found a place to sit down to watch the final groups coming through in front of a big scoreboard. Saw that Beany was still at -2 and that Hee-Won Han and Creamer had got it to +1 whilst Ai-chan was one shot back at -1. Next thing Beany has dropped a shot on 10 so is tied with Ai-chan for the lead.

Giulia Sergas looked to have hit a good shot onto 14 but it transpired she had been in a fairway bunker and what had seemed like a par put was actually for bogey. Same thing happened with Hee-Won Mom. Thought she'd made a nice par but the scoreboard moved her to +2 after her bogey. Next thing we knew there was a huge cheer from down at the 15th green. Turns out Karrie had made eagle at 15. Whilst Jane Park was finishing off 15 the scoreboard changed again. Karrie had made birdie on 16 to get it to level par only one shot back. Thought that might be a very good and maybe a winning score if she could get it to the clubhouse.

Creamer made her par on 14. Morimizato having already fallen out of contention made a lovely up and down from the front greenside bunker. Song-Hee Kim and Mika Miyazato were both out of contention. Kim got par, Mikan a bogey. Huge cheers from what sounded like the 13th green as Ai-chan hit a great put that grazed the hole. Two changes on the scoreboard as a result. Ai-chan had bogeyed and Beany had got a birdie on 13.

Beany's ball appeared on the very front of the 14th green. We all hoped like hell that it was thre in 2. Another cheer at 15 and another change on the scoreboard. Creamer had made birdie to also get to level par. 2 shot lead for Catriona over 4 players, one of whom was Xtina. She hit her approach shot, hated it and dropped her club immediately. The guy behind me remarked "Oh the Japanese lady just threw her club". Wrong in so many ways. Xtina just missed the front greenside bunker on 14. Catriona hit her 40 foot birdie attempt which rolled along beautifully and dropped straight into the hole. Enormous cheer from all and sundry and big smile on Catriona's face. 3 shot lead but with 4 difficult holes still to go. Xtina hit an OK pitch and run shot shouting at it, what are you doing. The par putt just failed to drop. Another deep knee bend reaction from her. Next thing the scoreboard changed again. Karrie was in the clubhouse on par, a good target but no longer looking like a winning score but Creamer had birdie 16 as well to get to -1. Catriona's lead down to 2 shots.

Didn't follow the great masses down the fifteenth with Beany. Headed back to the tented village and the big screen. By the time I got there there Catriona had played and birdied 15th. 3 shot lead with three holes to play. Was headed off towards the 18th green but the aussies were headed towards me. They said you couldn't see a thing so I grabbed the bench in front of the screen for the three of us.

Beany played the 16th very steadily and got her safe par. Then saw that Paula was in a horrid spot on the 18th. She was caught up in the grass that was fronting a fairway bunker. All she could do was chop it back out to the fairway. Having done that she hit a horrid third shot that shot through the back of the green and ended up by the clubhouse wall. She hardly had a swing and almost knocked the next off the front of the green. Two putts later, a double bogey on the card and her major championship chances were over once again amd Catriona's lead was back to 4 shots.

She used one of those shots on the 17th having hit into the Bobby Jones bunker with her tee shot. So 3 shot lead with 1 hole to play. Good tee shot into the fairway and approach shot onto the 18th green and it was hers. Xtina was walking alongside her giving her a big clap and egging on the crowd who needed no such encouragement. Beany could 4 putt from here and still win. She only needed two putts, leaving herself a two incher for the win.

Beany wins. Karrie in 2nd on her own. Queue one happy bench. The aussies went back to the hotel as they had some pre-packing shopping to do. I stayed for the presentation and areed to meet them at their hotel at 5.45pm. Whilst all the bigwigs were making long winded speeches Ai-chan, Xtina and Catriona were working the autographs line signing everything put in front of them. Xtina had a baby thrust at her. She had to sign his sunhat. He was not too chuffed at that and she was really upset that he was upset. Catriona was given a Winners Thank You crib sheet so she got all the sponsors names right. She started her speech by thanking the crowd for all the support she'd been given and then moved onto her crib sheet. She ended her speech by thanking Graham for helping keep her spirits up when she got anxious and bad tempered and then said Hi to Katie and Sophie who were watching on TV.She got her photo taken in the classic pose sitting on the edge of a pot bunker and after a bit Graham joined her.

Tramped off back to the Inn on the Prom and then onto the Tiggis restaurant. It reminded me very much of San Carlo in Bristol. We had a bottle of One Tree Hill, Cabernet Shiraz from Adelaide, SE Australia which is made literally just around from where Myranwy lives.

Whilst we were waiting for the bill, Mimi Hjorth and Tutta arrived. Seemed strange that Tutta wasn't with her Mum. Next minute the reason became clear. Alison Nicholas appeared along with Gwladys Nocera, Soph, Alfie, Anna Nordqvist and Becky Brew. The recently announced Euro Solheim Cup team was having a bonding meal out. I took one photo but no more as I didn't want to intrude. Walked back to the car, said good bye to Myranwy and Maurine and that was the British Open over for another year.

Women's British Open - Saturday August 1st -Day 3

The rain as I left meant my waterproof thermal socks were the order of the day. At the course saw Kris Tamulis and caddie Larry, the 6th group of the day, on the 12th tee. Had determined that I was going to see something of the 10th and 11th hole today so set off up the 11th fairway and got myself a great vantage point on top of the huge mound on the left hand side of the 10th hole. The wind was not as strong as on Thursday and it was a little warmer.

First group I watched was the Diaz/Ochoa group. Diaz was over on the left of the fairway in the hollow but Lorena was bang in the middle of the fairway. Bog standard par for Diaz but Lorena hit her approach pin high and five feet away and made a nice birdie. Diaz's drive on 11 was bang in the fairway whilst Lorena was in the semi rough on the right side. She went for the green and got on nicely to leave a lengthy eagle put. Diza put her approach in a right hand greenside bunker. She could only get a par but Lorena had a two put birdie for 2 in a row. The 12th was an easier hole today with the reduced wind but neither of them managed a birdie.

I made my way to the 13th green to wait for them to arrive. Lorena had a look at a birdie but although she hit a great put it just wouldn't drop. She looked a little anxious after hitting her drive on the 14th but it was OK.

Headed over to the 6th in time to see Momoko Ueda hoick her 2nd shot into a nasty looking spot short on the right hand side of the fairway. Terry didn't seem to think she could get a club on it sufficiently to go for the green but she was convinced she could. She ended up in the deep left greenside bunker. Next up were Vicky Hurst and Martina Eberl. Vicky Hurst put it somehwere I'd never seen anyone end up before. She was so far right of the fairway and so long she was miles back and deep in the hay. She gave it full welly and only made it to the shorter hay at the edge of the fairway. From there she could only advance it up the fairway a bit. She got it on the green with her next but two putted for bogey. Her playing partner was not doing much better. She laid up but ended up in the deep fairway bunker. She did better than the Japanese lass the day before and got out at the first attempt but a bogey went on her card too.

Morgan Pressel was also in one of the deep fairway bunkers on the 6th and was not a happy bunny. Michelle Wie hit a great tee shot on 6 but her 2nd shot came up shot and right. She hit a chip shot onto the green that was pin high but quite a lot left of the flag. She missed the birdie put and gave herself a really hard slap on the leg in anger and frustration. Paula Creamer and Karrie Webb had meanwhile made it to the 3rd green. Mimi was in animated conversation with her caddie as she made her way down the 6th fairway.

Spotted the aussie lasses on the far side of the 6th fairway as Karrie Webb and Se Ri Pak approached. Mutual waving ensued.. They continued on with Karrie. She made par on the 6th after hitting her approach into one of the right greenside bunkers. Soph came through to tee off on the 4th and she was already 3 over after 3 holes. Not a great start. Saw Se Ri Pak's group go through the 6th then wandered off for a cheeseburger. Caught up with Michelle Wie's group on the 11th green. She had been in a bit of trouble off the tee and had put her third shot in a greenside bunker. Her lie and position in the bunker meant she had no choice but to come out backwards. She hit a lovely chip from there and limited the damage by making the bogey put.

Caught up with the aussie lasses. Myranwy confirmed she wouldn't want to be a member at Royal Lytham. In fact she said if this were her local course she would take up lawn bowls. She couldnt believe how evil the bunkers were. They moved on to follow Karrie on the 12th whilst I waited for Christie Kerr to appear on 11 and then wandered over to the 6th green to see Beany play through. Then it was over to the 14th fairway to see Paula Creamer over on the right in a really nasty spot. I was actually trying to head for the crossover by the 15th tee to get back to the tented village.

As the Creamer group was on the adjacent 14th green we wern't allowed to cross over until they had teed off. Unfortunately nobody told the marshalls that Inbee Park in the group in front had hit her tee shot way right and had hit a provisional which was in a fairway bunker. They were still searching for her first ball so there was no chance of them teeing off but they still kept us standing there. Creamer went and sat on the bench they have thoughtfully provided on the 15th tee.

Once the 5 minutes were up Inbee played her provisional out into the fairway and eventually cleared the way for Creamer and Webb. There was nearly a mutiny when they announced that as Kerr's group were now on the 14th green we'd have to wait for them to tee off as well. Luckily they saw sense and let us cross once Kerr and Moromizato were on the 15th tee. Came across Jiyai Shin on the 17th tee. Her caddie handed her her driver and set off at a rate of knots back over towards the 16th. This was Shin putting in place her strange tactic of playing 17 by hitting onto the 16th fairway.

Mika Miyazato's caddie joked with Shin that normally when a caddie quits he leaves the bag behind. Her caddie cleared Inbee Park and Maria Hjorth off the 16th fairway so they were out of the landing zone. It didn't seem to be a great strategy. Double on Thursday and bogey on both Friday and today as I saw from the giant scoreboard later.

Stood by the 18th green to watch a few groups finish off. Karrie came up short on 18 on the shoulder of one of the greenside bunkers. She hit a lovely chip shot onto the green but didn't make the par putt. Watched Kerr finished off on 18 and then headed off to get myself a can of Strongbow. Saw M&M sitting watching the big screen with some red wine and went and joined them. They bought me another can as we watched Beany finish off the day with a 3 shot lead.

They weren't leaving until Monday morning so I told them I would love to have dinner with them on Sunday if they could arrange for me to park at their hotel. They said they would ask at let me know if that would be OK. Headed off back to the car park. With play being over for the day it was a much quicker trip as we could cut across the fairways wherever we liked and straight line the journey. Thought it was going to take ages to get out of the car park but they opened up the entrance as an exit and was away quite quickly.

Women's British Open - Friday July 31st -Day 2

Arrived at the course at about 9.30am. The wind was not blowing as hard and it was from a completely different direction from yesterday. I immediately caught up with Larry teeing off on the par3 12th. Well not him obviously! Then headed off up the fairway of the 11th hole, the par 5. Saw Tutta's group teeing off. She and Oyama hit lovely shots in the fairway with Tutta being the longest but Brittany Lang was off to the right in the longish wispy stuff. She talked about going for it but then decided to hit a little chippy seven iron as she herself described it. Karrie Webb was in the group behind putting on the 10th green. Gwladys Nocera's score wasn't getting any better. Watched them tee off on 11 from behind the tee. The marshalls presence did not stop me taking a few snaps.
Climbed onto a high mound which gave a view over the 8th green and the whole of the 10th hole. Saw the Brewerton/Moodie/Alfredsson group teeing off. Alfie was on the left hand side of the fairway down in the hollow. Janice was bang in the middle of the fairway but Becky hit her tee shot over to the rightside of the fairway and just off into the long and wispy stuff. The marshalls on that side of the fairway were up on the fairway bunker mound and had no idea where it ended up. We had to give them shouted instructions so they could find the ball. Becky said thanks to the marshalls and they waved their thanks to us. Becky got it out onto the green and just missed a fifteen footer for birdie.

The Wie group were next up. Wie hit iron off the tee and was off to the left and just off the fairway and the shortest of the three. She wasn't happy with her approach. It came up short on the green and spun back a little. Natalie was a bit strong with her approach and went off the back. Both got their par. Next up was Paula Creamer, Catriona Matthew and Anna Nordqvist. Catriona was over in Alfie territory but she hit a horrible iron shot and ended up in the front right greenside bunker. She hit a lovely bunker shot out and made a clutch par putt as did Creamer and Nordqvist.

Wandered off down the fairway and saw that Catriona had hit a lovely drive way down the fairway and bang in the middle. Decided to head over to the 13th green to pick up Brew's group again. Whilst waiting for them to get to the 13th tee there was a huge roar from the eleventh green behind me. Catriona had obviously done something good.

Brew hit it way left off the tee and had another visit to the longish wispy stuff but she hit a great 2nd onto the green and had a good look at a long birdie putt. Left herself a nasty little one for par but made it. At this point there was another huge roar, this time from the 12th. Catriona again? It turned out that she had just gone eagle, hole in one!!! Wie was in a nasty spot on the 13th. She got the driver out and measured two club lengths and had to take an unplayable penalty drop. Her next shot was lovely - pin high but 15 feet away. She had a good look at par but didn't make it.

Catriona's group all played the 13th well with Catriona having a 6 footer for birdie which she made. Cue more enthusiastic cheers from the crowd. 5 shots to the good in three holes and back to minus 1 for the tournament. Watched her group tee off and play their approach shots on 14 before wandering off to catch up group Wie on the 15th fairway.

Natalie laid up with her second but left it in the right rough from where she hit it off the back of the green. Wie had outdriven her playing partners significantly because her ball landed on a down slope and got a massive scoot forwards and she went for the green in two. She was too far to the left and dribbled off into the greenside bunker. She hit a good bunker shot but missed the birdie putt. Natalie got up and down for her par.

Checked out the leaderboard and get a bacon roll before heading off to the first hole for Soph's start. Got to the first hole in time to see Pressel's group. Shinobu Moromizato was sporting a unique look. Short black skort with shocking pink flashes on her black top and long knee length black socks. Hope it wont catch on!

Mr Gustafson wandered passed so I shook his hand and wished him a good afternoon. He asked about the weather and whether he could borrow my drawsheet. He wanted to know what number Soph would be hitting off the tee. Cristie Kerr hit a lovely shot to give herself a good birdie chance. Soph's tee shot went crashing into the earth face of a greenside bunker and ended up in a horrid spot. She thought about playing it with just one foot in the bunker but in the end had to crouch down and really gouge it out. She was left with a really long put for par which she didn't make and left herself a nasty one for bogey which didn't drop either. Double to start the day. Not good.

Lorena's group was up next. Karen Stupples hit it way short and right, chipped up onto the green clumsily and didn't make the longish par put. Lorena was in one of the greenside bunkers towards the back of the green. She was in three minds about how to play it as it had a really awkward lie. She tried kneeling down to hit it, then tried one leg in and one leg out of the bunker but couldn't get a balanced stance. In the end she had to spread her legs wide and reach down into the bunker. She did get it out OK but left a difficult par put which she didn't make. Bogey to start for her too.

Marta Prieto was wearing her trademark long support socks whilst playing in Xtina's group. Minea Blomqvist hit the ball way left into our crowd area. She checked she hadn't hit anybody and apologised for the inconvenience. We realised that all the marshalls on the first hole had buggered off and not been relieved. One poor man was left to cover all of the 1st hole and the 2nd tee. We therefore became DIY marshalls.

In the next group ShanShan Feng hit it way left and joined us in the undergrowth. I asked the caddy did they need the rope letting down as it was do it yourself but he said if they hit the rope they shouldn't be out there. She didn't get up and down.

Spotted Auzzie Mo heading past the 1st green to catch up with Katherine Hull who was in Feng's group. She said she had tried to do the laundry on the way to the course but there was noone around to do the service wash. It had been left in the safe keeping of the pro shop. Apparently a fellow aussie was in there doing laundry and offered to do theirs as well and deliver it to the golf course. They declined but found out that she was Rebecca Flood's mum, an amateur who was playing in the Open.

We watched them play the 2nd and 3rd and then I turned round and watched Minnie and Xtina play the 4th before mossieing back to the village for my bacon roll and a shuftie at the giant leaderboard. Mrs Wie was busy checking out the scores. Also lurking in front of the scoreboard was Alison Nicholas, Euro Solheim Cup Captain, Joanne Morley, one of her assistant captains, Liselotte Neumann, an unoffical assistant obviously and Alexandra Armas, the LET Commish.

The left side of the 15th fairway tends to get the most business in the rough was my next destination and a number of players dropped in to join me. Stacy P landed in some nasty stuff and only managed to advance it 50 yards up the fairway and still in the semi rough. Azahara Munoz, one of the young Spanish amateurs was next in the hay but got out and laid up nicely. Morgan Pressel was lying not too bad and got out OK so no F-bomb dropped.

Surprisingly Lorena was the next to join us in the rough. She had hit a guy a glancing blow in the chest. She arrived, checked out the lie of the ball and immediately apologised for hitting it towards us asking if she had hit anyone. The guy put his hand up and she apologised again and said she was glad he was OK. She's such a nice lass.

Laura Davies hit her tee shot way, way right. We saw it bounce and therefore knew approximately where it was. The marshall on that side had lost it in the air it was so wayward so we had to guide him to where the ball was. We were giving him instructions from the far side of the fairway so he couldn't give LD assurance the ball had been found. She thus played a provisional ball which was a lovely shot. The marshall couldn't believe how far right it was. It was not in the hay but not a great angle in. She gave it a right wallop and I think got it close to the green. She certainly got her par.

Women's British Open - Thursday July 30th -Day 1

Arrived at the course at about 9.30am. Paid a pound for my drawsheet and had a look to see who was teeing off on the 12th. It was Brittany Lincicombe playing with Jiyai Shin in the fifth group of the day.

Had a chat with the crossing marshall. She said that none of the first 6 groups of the day had managed to hit the green. Weather was totally different today. No sign of rain but the wind was blowing hard and gusting a left to right crosswind.

Lorena, Karen Stupples and Ai Chan also had trouble finding the green. Lorena was way short and right of the green. Her chip was distinctly ordinary leaving herself at the front of the green with a very long par putt. She raced that past the flag and missed the one coming back. Double bogey on the card again for the world number 1.

Cut across to the 1st green just as Dinan Luna, Martina Eberl and Paula Marti approached. Only an Italian could get away with Luna's wacky headgear. The next group through was Tutta with Shiho Ohyama and Brittany Lang. Gwladys Nocera was up next playing with Karrie Webb. Her form and body language had not changed from Evian. Bogey on the first hole.

Becky Brew was playing with Alfie and Janice Moodie. She got a safe par to start the week. Then the crowd thickened a little as it was the Gulbis/Wie/Ueda group. As I had promised Terry Mac I would follow him if he had a bag this week I set off with the large gallery down the second fairway and stayed with them until they teed off on the 4th.

Cut across to see Brew tee off on the 14th and then after enjoying a bacon roll took up my station on the mound overlooking the 6th fairway/green and 3rd green. Watched Creamer, Nordqvist and Beany putt out on the 3rd.

Chie Arimura laid up with her 2nd shot on 6 but only succeeded in putting it into one of the really deep fairway bunkers. It took her three goes to get out and when she did she chunked her next shot into the really deep left greenside bunker. She got out of that one OK but two putted so that was a nine on her card. Saw later that that was nothing. Inky made an 11 on the same hole.

Beany's 2nd shot on 6 had the walking marshall say "that had better draw". It didn't and was headed straight for us. It hit some guy sat on the mound and ended up in the hay on the downslope. Catriona was very apologetic as was Graham. Her lie was horrid and all she could do was chunk it down into one of the greenside bunkers. She didn't get up and down so it was a bogey.

Moved over to the 11th green to see Tutta's group go through. Tutta was at level par but disappointed to not make a birdie on the par five 11th. Becky Brew had obviously had trouble off the tee and was quite some way back with her second. She seemed to be going for the green but scuff it and came up quite a bit short. She didn't seem very happy. Things improved significantly with her fourth shot as her pitch went straight into the hole, slam dunk. High fives and smiles all round. Great way to make birdie.

Women's British Open - Wednesday July 29th - Practice

The weather forecast was absolutely foul. I nearly stayed home but made a last minute decision to go. Arrived at the course at about 10.00am in my waterproof, thermal socks to find that I wasn't going to need them.

Found Becky Brewerton teeing off on 14 with an entirely LET practice group. She recognized me and said hello, asked how I was. Anna Nordqvist was up next still dressed all in black even without the waterproofs. Eun He Ji, our new US Womens Open Champion was practising on her own fully clad in bright blue waterproofs. Her caddie is not taller than she is but very personable.

Momoko Ueda was next up resplendent in her salmon pink waterproofs. Talked a bit with Terry Mac, asking how he was feeling. He said he was much better but that the bug had taken so much out of his body that a load of other parts were bothering him. His neck in particular was giving him gip but he was going to get through it.

At the 6th green/7th tee came across Life on Tour Larry with his bag Kris Tamulis. They had decided to miss the 7th to 13th stretch of holes but were dithering about cutting over. Larry said if they were guys they would just have barged over. As women, they didn't want to upset anyone but didn't want to become a foursome rather than a twosome. They ended up in a foursome with a couple of Euros.

Cristie Kerr was playing with Minnie Blomqvist. She had about three goes at her approach shot on the 6th but wasn't happy with any of them. Se Ri was playing with one of her Korean collegues and was jabbering to her in Korean. As soon as she joined her caddie she switched into English. It was better than I hear her speak on TV. It seemed to be a discussion about clothes and whether clothes of the right size had been waiting somewhere for someone and the caddie seemed to suggest she should carry her vital statistics around with her as a matter of course!

Karin Sjodin was practising with Tutta. Dave Brooker is no longer wearing his moon boot thingy. Tutta's mum watched her tee off at 17. As I approached the chipping green came across Team Wie. Patrick, her latest ex PGA caddie, was there with David Leadbetter, which is her legal maximum. However Mr and Mrs Wie were there as well in defiance of the rules. No suggestion of anyone doing anything about it.

A large Bentley pulled up outside the clubhouse with the registration number PUT 3. Turns out it was Peter Alliss arriving. He gave the keys to someone to park it properly for him whilst he sauntered into the clubhouse. Not long afterwards Beth Daniel and Meg Mallon arrived in a courtesy car and started chatting with all and sundry.

Over at the 1st tee Karen Stupples was teeing off with Kris Tschetter. They were discussing child care provision as they made their way up the fairway. Decided it was time to make my exit for the day.

Women's British Open - Tuesday July 28th - Pro Am

Journey to Lytham St Annes was great taking about an hour. As I drove towards the public parking the rain started and the weather looked very threatening. I put on both my fleeces and my cagoule and wandered onto the course to see who was playing in the ProAm. Anna Nordqvist was playing the 13th but they had another pro Marianne Skarpnord, the Norwegian in their group.

Wandered over to the area between the sixth green and seventh tee. Waterproof trousers had to be donned as the rain was getting heavier. Saw Brittany Lincicombe teeing off on the seventh. Next up on the 6th was Cristie Kerr's group. One of the amateur caddies was obviously a friend and not a regular. He was desperately trying to keep dry by wearing a towel on his head. Black rainwear seems to be the colour of choice. One of the guys in Kerr's group played a fantastic bunker shot and she was very congratulatory. Karrie was an exception to the all black rule having a cream section to her jacket. Natalie was next and it was back to all black. One of the guys in her group was a nightmare. I was standing alongside him on the 7th tee and when he finished his swing he was facing me!! The ball went about 50 yards into the right rough nowhere near the start of the fairway. A long day in store for Natalie.

Tutta was along next and was getting along great with her group. As they went past me over to the 7th tee one of her playing partners did a double take. I didn't think I looked that stupid. It became obvious that he, Tutta and one of the others in the group were talking about me on the tee. Eventually, one of them wandered over to me and said "My friend says he thinks he saw you at Evian last week". I confirmed that I was there and he wnated to know if I went ot all the tour events. I had to explain that it was just the two weeks in Europe. He wanted to know my favourite player. I told him I was really an Annika fan but quite liked Tutta as well.

After he hit an awful tee shot (and shouted something obviously rude in a foreign language) Tutta took him to one side and gave him a detailed technical swing lesson. He hit another tee shot and this time is was a thing of beauty. Laura Diaz had a wooly hat over her baseball cap and seemed to be enjoying herself with her proam partners. Morgan Pressel was having a ball with her lot. I think they were all Americans and they were talking US sport. I think they were talking about NHL ice hockey and the recent Stanley Cup finals. One of them told me that the course was winning and the only thing to do was have a cigar. He proceeded to light up a huge Cuban.

Karen Stupples broke the all black rule by wearing a red rain jacket. As she passed me on the way to the 7th tee she recognized me, said Hi and asked if we had had a good journey back from Evian. Bobby (caddie/hubby) also recognized me, looked surprised to see me out there in the rain and said "Are you crazy?" I confirmed that I was! Momoko Ueda completely broke the all black rule by wearing salmon pink top and bottom. Terry nodded in acknowledgment of my presence. Kent Nilsson was cheating. He was pushing the bag on a cart. He looked cold, wet and a little weary. Alfie got a lovely birdie which was just as well as the other ladies playing with her were really struggling. One of them narrowly missed me by hitting way right from 15 yards away.

As usual, LD seemed to be enduring rather than enjoying her Pro Am round. She was walking way ahead of her playing partners. She made a very casual birdie and wandered off to the 7th tee. She did her usual thing getting an iron out to dig up a lump of tee on which to put her tee ball. The group in front was holding her up so she started trying to tennis serve a golf ball using her driver. Thank God the train wasnt coming when she finally made contact and sent the ball sailing across the railway line.

Wander in towards the clubhouse. Caught up with Lorena waiting to tee off on the 18th. She was sporting blue rainwear. JiYai Shin was putting out on the 15th. Back at the practice round bought myself a bacon roll and sat in the grandstand at the driving range to eat it. Xtina Kim was practising next to Soph and chatting away as usual.

ShanShanFeng looked a tad silly as she was not only dressed head to toe in orange but was hitting on the range with her hood up. Wandered over to the grandstand by the 1st tee where there were a load of golfers waiting to tee off. Vicky Hurst was there along with her Mum who is supposed to be as bad as the Wie's. She was tossing grass into the air to test the wind and took the yardage book to point out something to the caddie who was feigning interest. She has in the past spent time pointing out where not to hit it which doesn't engender positive thoughts.

Wandered back over towards the chipping green. Found Xtina Kim in one of the pot bunkers. She seemed to be as she said herself "digging to make sandcastles". She was laughing all the time as she and her caddie were trying to come up with the most difficult spot in the bunker.

Wandered back over to the now crowded putting green and saw Portland John standing by the caddie master area. I welcomed him to the lovely weather at the British and he pointed out that coming from Portland he was used to weather. He said he'd told his bag, Soo Yun Kang, to get all her practicing in today because Wednesday was going to be dreadful. They had played with Ai Miyazato who played 9 holes being constantly followed and interviewd by a Japanese TV crew. Once they disappeared she apparently played really well. Whilst watching Xtina chatting with all and sundry rather than putting on the putting green the heavens absolutely opened. Decided it was time to make the trip back back out to the car.

Evian Masters - Monday July 27th - Travel Day

After a relaxing morning spent lounging by the lake in the sunshine and having a cup of coffee we got a taxi ride back to Geneva airport and our flight to Manchester airport. Good nights sleep in my own bed ensued. Needed the rest as the British Open starts tomorrow up at Royal Lytham and St. Annes.

Evian Masters - Sunday July 26th - Day 4

Up at Place Annika Sorenstam the leaders flags today were Y Ddraig Goch for Becky, Korean (for Inky) and Swedish (for Sophie). Becky was last in so she was first out in the last but one group with Cristie Kerr. Sophie and Inky were last out.

From my usual shady spot down the left side of the first hole I watched Morgan Pressel hit her tee shot into the left rough. Her second wasn't too bad but came up short and left. Her delightful response was a loud "F**k You". Charming.
Dave Brooker was not wearing his moonboot thing today. Tutta was playing with Jelly. Her Mum, whom she looks a lot like, was out and about in her Nike wear. Graham Matthew's feet were not well enough for him to caddie for Catriona. Karine Icher had ditched the dresses and gone back to shorts and top. Wie and Ochoa were in the same group. Brittany Lincicombe was sitting on a chair outside the ropes, headphones in, listening to her ipod before teeing off.

The two marshalls on the 1st reminded me of Tweedledum and Tweedledee. They couldn't be walking marshalls due to their size. They spent their time chatting to each other in the left rough, shaking hands with the walking marshalls as they came through. The golfers were an unwanted intrusion in their day. It was a real crimp in their day when someone hit it way right and they had to go look for it. More than once they had to be guided to the ball by the crowd.

Watched Wie and Lorena play through the 6th and then headed back to the 1st tee to see Brew tee off. I wished her good luck as she made her way to the tee. Previous days she said thanks and gave me a big smile. Today she mumbled her thanks and her smile was very strained, obviously very nervous.

Went for my usual liquid lunch in the skybox. Having consumed a suitable quantity of Veuve Cliquot Rose I caught up with Ai Miyazato and Karrie Webb, teeing off at the 6th. It's not easy to get to the 6th green so headed off down the 7th fairway to await their arrival. Didn't bother going all the way to the 7th green, going straight to the back of the par 3 8th green.

Paula Creamer attempted to make birdie there and failed. Karrie also blew a birdie chance. Becky and Kerr both hit lovely shots into the 8th green, both getting birdies. Brew needed hers as she was three over for the day having bogeyed three in a row from the second.

None of us wanted to trog up the hill to the upper section of the course so after Inky (bogey) and Sophie (par) had played the 8th we headed over towards the 14th green / 15th tee area to wait for the leaders to come back around. Na Yeon Choi and Yuko Mitsuka both made a real mess of the 14th. Mitsuka was in the right geenside bunker having shortsided herself whilst Choi was left of the green in the rough in a tough spot. Both got bogeys.

Alfie was next up playing with Paula Creamer. Both made par as did Karrie and Ai-chan who were next. Becky hit her tee shot into Na Yeon Choi territory but she seemed to hit a lovely chip shot onto the green to give herself a chance to save par. Unfortunately she missed the par put and even worse missed the short bogey put. Double on the card and chances of a win or even a top 10 looking distant. Watched Soph and Inky make their pars on 14 and then set off back to try and find a spot up in the Skybox or grandstand.

I was late making it into the Skybox. It was standing room only but was consoled by the fact that the Veuve Cliquot Rose was still flowing. Alfie hit a terrific second shot into the green and had an eagle put which she holed and immediately saluted the grandstand crowd with a huge fist pump. Paula Creamer almost holed out from the right hand side greenside bunker and ended up on her knees in the sand. She left herself a very short almost tapin birdie but she missed it.

Ai-chan laid up on 18 and had a non gimme birdie put which she nailed to get to 14 under. Advantage Sophie who had got her drive into the fairway. She hit a good second shot and ended up on the green with an eagle put of about 20 feet. She hit a great eagle put which would have won her the tournament but it stopped just a smidgin short. Playoff.

Both players were driven back to the 18th tee. Only slight downer was that the Veuve Cliquot Rose had run out. I had to switch to white. Ai hit first, took driver and absolutely creamed it down the fairway. Sophie took a wood but pushed it right into the new green bunker nicknamed "The Green Monster" by the players. She had no choice but to lay up. Ai-chan went for the green and ended up in Creamer territory in the right greenside bunker.

Sophie hit her 3rd shot onto the green but not really close enough. Ai-chan hit a good bunker shot leaving herself a very makeable birdie putt. Sophie had to make her putt to put pressure on Ai-chan but hit a lousy one which never threatened the hole. Ai-chan made her birdie put and won her first LPGA win and was very emotional about it. She was doused in Evian water by her fellow Japanese players.

At this point they started handing out I love Evian Masters flags in the grandstand. I snaffled a couple. Ai-chan had been bagged by the TV companies to do interviews so the presentation proper had to wait. The official artist arrived to complete his painting by adding the Japanese flag. A load of marshalls congregated behind the 18th green and the French crowd got all excited when a guy in white tshirt, jeans and a baseball cap appeared. It was Zinadine Zidane.

Once Ai-chan had been given the trophy which was almost as big as her, the parachutists appeared with the lead one dropping in on the 18th fairway to drape the Japanese flag around Ai-chan before the Japanese anthem was played. It is more of a dirge than God save the Queen.

Once the presentation was over I headed to get my courtesy bus back down to town. Passed Soph sat outside the clubhouse with a large glass of beer. Kent Nilsson seemed to be trying to cheer her up.

Back at centre ville found out that the Rue Nationale turns into an arts and crafts market on a Sunday. Most if not all of the caddies had already left to spend the night at Geneva airport before getting an early morning flight to the UK so the bar was quite quiet. Had a couple of vin rouge before heading back to get refreshed for dinner.

Met up with the aussie lasses for our usual vin rouge at L'Embuscade then headed back to last night's Italian, La Pizza. Still no seat outside. Final visit to L'Embuscade and we bought a round of Ricard, a first for all of us. The bar owner bought us another round of Ricard on the house. She wouldn't believe that I didn't have a French grandmother cos my French accent was so good!

Evian Masters - Saturday July 25th - Day 3

At the golf course stood in the players area watching the action on the putting green and driving range and struck up a conversation with Mickey Walker until she had to wander off and chat with Alison Nicholas. It was a gorgeous day, sunny and hot, so chose a shady spot on the 1st fairway to watch a few groups come through.

Lorena was playing with Erina Hara, Natalie was playing with Jelly and Tutta was playing with the new US Womens Open champion Eun-Hee Ji. Next up was Tania Elosegui and Michelle Wie. Headed back to Place Annika Sorenstam to check out the early scores. Y Ddraig Goch was flying with the Korean and Japanese flags.

Headed out onto the main section of the course looking out for LD. Found her and the Aussie lasses on the 7th hole. Saw LD and Sun Young Yoo play through the 8th and hung around there rather than trudge up the hill to the top section. Watched the same lot as I watched on the 1st play through the 8th starting with Lorena and finishing with Wie.

Wandered back to the 14th green in time to see Momoko and Terry arrive. Watched Momoko tee off on the 15th. Terry gave me a nod of acknowlegement. Watched Rachel Hetherington and Candie Kung play and then LD arrived. Followed LD up the 15th. Spotted Mickey Walker sitting in her tent studio at the side of the 15th fairway. She waved at me as I passed.

LD is amazing. The 15th is a 559 yard true 3 shot par five up to an elevated green. She pulled out an iron on the tee and whacked it down the fairway. She got to her ball, pulled out an iron again, no practice swing, hit her lay up shot. Same thing again on her third shot onto the green. Unfortunately she missed the birdie putt.

Following my Skybox liquid lunch the afternoon golf started with Cristie Kerr on the 6th tee. Karine Icher (who was having a bad day eventually shooting 77) had a big gallery and was playing with Stacy Lewis. Headed out to the 14th to watch the leaders come through. Alfie was playing with Wendy Ward and Karrie was paired with Se Ri. When Se Ri teed off on 15 I think her ball was going right from the moment she started her downswing but her very large caddie had a right go at the woman next to me who had taken a snap.

Waited for Sophie to tee off on 15 and followed her back to the 18th. She had a great look at birdie on 16 but didn't hit it. The classic never up never in. She hated her tee shot on the par 3 17th taking her hand off the club. However, the reaction changed to a sheepish grin and then relieved laughter. When we got to the green, having risk life and limb on the track down the steep slope and over a fence, she had a short birdie put which she converted. A fine round that left her as co-leader at the end of the day.

I dashed back to the Skybox to sat in the back row of the grandstand with my Veuve Cliquot rose until Brew in the final group appeared. Had to wait a bit for the courtesy ride to centre ville. The Hotel Royal lot seemed to be getting priority. Ended up sitting with a young good looking lass going to the railway station. The driver was chatting her up like crazy. All in French of course.

We had our usual couple of glasses at the L'Embuscade bar with the aussies before moving onto the Italian restaurant opposite our hotel. As usual, with no reservation, we had to sit inside but sat next to a big open window it was just like being outside. Mickey Walker came in and stopped to say Hi.

Had one more glass of vin rouge at L'Embuscade bar before turning in for the night. Next thing there were massive bangs and the fireworks had started. It was the player's gala night up at the Hotel Royale. The fireworks were apparently spectacular. Didn't see them as they were going off behind the hotel.

Evian Masters - Friday July 24th - Day 2

Up at the course, sat for a bit in the grandstand at the back of the 5th green. It was a bit cooler today and I was in the shade, so having checked out the scoreboard, picked up Juli Inkster's group teeing off on 6. Juli hit her tee shot and immediately shouted "Godammit". Hope her kids were not nearby. Wandered back to the 5th to see Ms Wie's group play through then went back to the first tee to see Sophie tee off.
Watched Tutta's group tee off and followed them down the sixth. JiYai hit her tee shot into the left rough. She misjudged or mishit her second shot and hit the tree branch in front of her and ended up in the middle of the fir tree. I took some great shots of her and her caddie trying to work out what shot to play. In the end she managed to get inside the tree without breaking any branches and bunt it back out into the fairway.

Caught up with Lorena playing the 15th. Took some good photos and managed to video her putting on 15 and teeing off on 16. Followed her on through 17 and partly through 18. Coming around the back of the 18th grandstand, I realised that the SB symbol on my pass stood for Skybox which was the area above the 18th grandstand seats. Went up to have a shuftie. Found out that not only were there comfy seats but free beer and free Veuve Cliquot!

Having had my liquid lunch headed back out to the course. Yani Tseng was signing autographs by the scorers hut. Saw Helen Alfredsson, Pat Hurst and Maria Hjorth tee off on the 6th before heading over to the first tee to see Becky Brewerton tee off. Told her to "Have a good one today". She had two Korean playing partners, Na Yeon Choi and Inky.

All three of the caddies in Becky's group had the yellow bibs on which Kent Nilsson, Alfies Hubby/caddy was wearing yesterday. The leader of the tournament gets the yellow bib. Realised looking at the giant scoreboard in Place Annika Sorenstam that the flags flying also take into account the leading players. Yesterday it had been the Swedish flag but today Y Ddraig Goch was proudly hanging next to the Korean and Evian Masters flags.

Headed back to the Skybox for another few beers and Veuve Cliquot rose drinks. Saw LD finishing off on the 18th green. She was on level par so safely making the cut but likely to be off earlier tomorrow than she would like. Decided it would be good to pick up Becky's group out by the 14th green. Walked past the 15th where Morgan Pressel was playing with Diana Luna and Candie Kung.

Got to the 14th green in time to see Karrie Webb, Momoko Ueda and Ai Miyazato. Moved over to the 15th tee to see them tee off. Got a quick nod of acknowledgement from Terry Mac. The crowd following the Karen Stupples group was enormous because her playing partner was the French girl Karine Icher.

Becky was having another great day, 6 under for the round and 11 under for the tournament. She hit a bad tee shot on the par 5 15th. It was way left and had a tree impeeding her progress. She advanced it as far as she could up the fairway but had a very long shot for her third. She came up just short of the green on the right hand side in the first cut of rough. She hit a lovely chip shot up onto the elevated green that left her one of those length puts for par. She made it and looked mightily relieved to scramble the par save.

At this point the weather started to move in. The sky was getting darker and darker and there was thunder and lightning happening on the Swiss side of Lac Leman. Decided to call it a day.It was absolutely p**sing down when I was dropped at the end of the Rue Nationale. The weather meant it was now impossible to see the other side of the lake. Luckily the storm cleared off before dinner time.

Went for a quick wander before starting the evenings' eating and drinking. Spotted a Korean player and Colin Cann, Paula Creamer's caddie in the laudromat. The two Aussie lasses met up with us at L'Embuscade bar. They were a little damp because they had had to queue up for the free shuttle bus down into town. Eat once again at the Brasserie Continental, having spotted Lisa Hall having dinner with her husband.

Evian Masters - Thursday July 23rd - Day 1

The Evian hot air balloon had arrived and was anchored somewhere off the course behind the 18th fairway. Watched Tutta, Seon Hwa Lee and Louise Friberg play the first. Dave Brooker was wearing his air boot thingy again.

Saw Terry caddying for Momoko Ueda. Larry had said that Terry was feeling really unwell this week. He only showed at L'Embuscade on Monday night. Her group was filled by both of the Miyazatos. Must have been a commentators nightmare. Wie was playing with Cristie Kerr and Gwladys Nocera so they had a big following.

Joined the Oz Lasses in watching LD, Karrie and Rachel Hetherington go off the first. They were a lot happier cos their luggage had finally arrived.

Spotted Amy Yang had gone into the water hazard on 18 and watched her get the ruling and drop her ball in the drop zone. She made bogey. Yani Tseng was playing with Candie Kung and Se Ri Pak who was kitted out in canary yellow.

As Sophie had gotten me my guest accreditation, it was only fair to follow her for a number of holes. She was playing with two French players and therefore had a big gallery. She hit her 1st tee shot in the rough, her approach hit a greenside tree and her chip was so so. Bogey ensued. Decided to give the trip to the bottom of the course a miss and catch up with her at the 6th.

Saw from the leaderboard that Becky Brewerton was at the top. Watched her play a bit on 15 before setting off with Sophie's group down the 6th. Discovered that holes 9 to 14 are up at the top of the course and the players, caddies and marshalls get a buggy ride up from the 8th green to the 9th tee whilst we poor spectators have to scramble up the mountainside!

At the 10th tee no-one made any attempt to tee off. This was because Yani was trudging her way back to the tee as she had hit her drive way right and OB. She apologised to Soph's group and played the hole by herself as her playing partners had played on by themselves.

Sophie ended up with a 1 under par round tied for 27th. Christina Kim came over to say Hi. She had shot 3 over and described herself on the golf course today as "a f**king 5 year old and a petulant one at that".

Sat with Karen Stupples and Bobby (her caddy/hubby) on the terrace outside the clubhouse. They told us about the fire at Pavillions du Golf the night before. As they did so (and I got a free bowl of proper chips not French fries) Graham Matthew, Catriona's hubby/caddy arrived and gave us all the gory details.

He was sitting on the balcony shoeless e-mailing on his laptop when Catriona asked him if it was raining because she could hear rain. He told her there was no rain but on entering the room heard the noise himself. On opening their door, they saw smoke and flames. As they ran out part of a porch collapsed and Graham burned his feet. The daft bugger then ran back into the rooms to get their passports!

He went to hospital to have his burnt feet treated whilst Catriona was ringing round trying to get them somewhere else to sleep. Thank goodness they didn't have the kids with them. Amy Yang and her Dad were in the room next door. Their route out was blocked so Dad threw the mattresses out of the window (they were one floor up) and they jumped after tossing the clubs over first.

As we were sat there the horn blew as there was a storm moving in. LD had managed to finish her round and was more concerned that the football match set for later that evening would be cancelled. Got the bus back down into town. Headed for the L'Embuscade bar where we listened to a bunch of Swiss horn players. We were joined by Karen Stupples and hubby Bobby and Tutta high fived a few of the caddies as she walked past with her mum on her way to dinner.

After a few glasses of vin rouge we went back to the Brasserie Continental for dinner. Sat next to Mardi Lunn, Audrey (who is now looping for Pat Hurst) and Alex Armas the LET Commissioner. Another Swiss horn player appeared with a singing hurdy-gurdy card organ grinder.

There was a British Youth band playing in the square at the end of this evening. All their announcements were made in French which went down well. Their piece de resistance and their encore was YMCA a la Village People complete with dancers doing the arm movements. Mickey Wright and I joined in with them. We seemed to be the only daft ones although it could be Village People were not big in France.