IT’S THE “YEAR OF THE WOMEN,” reports GolfChannel.com, citing the marquee winners on the LPGA circuit during the 2014 season. All but three victors have been ranked within the top 16 in the Rolex Rankings. And one of the others, Lydia Ko, is a rising star. The young New Zealander has already won twice this year.
“Perhaps not even Mike Whan could have envisioned a dream season quite like this,” Ryan Lavner writes about the tour that has produced excitement and winners such as Stacy Lewis (three times), Michelle Wie (U.S. Women’s Open), Lexi Thompson (Kraft Nabisco Championship), Ko, last year’s heroine Inbee Park, Karrie Webb, Paula Creamer, Jessica Korda and others.
The year’s third major, the RICOH Women’s British Open, tees off on Thursday at Royal Birkdale in Southport, England.
Last year Lewis posted a winning total of 8-under 280 at the Old Course in St. Andrews, Scotland. She comes into this week in top form after winning her last event, the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship.
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RICOH Women’s British Open
Royal Birkdale Golf Club
Southport, Lancashire, UK
Field: 127
Par: 72
Yardage: 6,458
Purse: $3 million
Winner: $300,000
Defending Champion: Stacy Lewis
TV Schedule
All U.S. TV coverage on ESPN.
Thu, July 10: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. ET
Fri, July 11: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. ET
Sat, July 12: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. ET
Sun, July 13: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. ET