World No.3 Ariya Jutanugarn has confirmed her attendance at Kingsbarns to defend her title, as the Ricoh Women’s British Open heads to Kingsbarns Golf Links, St Andrews, Scotland for the first time from August 3 to 6.
Jutanugarn will be competing against a stellar field with all of the world’s top five ranked players in the field; World No.1, Lydia Ko, 2017 ANA Inspiration winner and World No.2 So Jeon Ryu, World No.4 Ingee Chun and No.5 Lexi Thompson.
As winner of the 2016 Rolex Player of the Year and Race to CME Globe, Jutanugarn broke through last May, winning the Yokohama Tire LPGA Classic for her first win on Tour followed by the Kingsmill Championship and LPGA Volvik Championship to sweep the entire month of May on the LPGA Tour.
Winning the Ricoh Women’s British Open at Woburn at only 20-years-old not only marked Jutanuguarn’s first Major win, but also Thailand’s first Major golf title.
Jutanugarn commented, “Winning my first Major last year at Woburn was amazing and I am going to feel very proud to be arriving at Kingsbarns as the defending Champion. I haven’t defended a title yet on the LPGA as I only won my first tournament last May so I am hoping I do a good job and will try to learn a lot before I get to Scotland. This year my goal is to try to have fun and keep the momentum going so that I’ll be in a good position to defend the Ricoh Women’s British Open title.”
England’s Charley Hull, who won her first LPGA title at the season finale last year, the CME Group Tour Championship, will lead the British charge at Kingsbarns as she looks to join the group of talented young 20-somethings with Major silverware to their name.
After taking a sneak preview of the Kingsbarns course today, Hull said: “Kingsbarns is spectacular, and I’m already excited about playing the Championship here in the summer. From what I have seen so far, I think it is going be a great challenge and a very exciting Major Championship venue. Winning at the end of last year was such a confidence boost for me that I hope I will now be able to go on to win more titles this year.”
A member at last year’s Championship venue, Woburn, 21-year-old Hull is eager to build on her recent success. She said: “I loved playing in front of my home fans last year at Woburn and was a bit disappointed not to finish a little higher up the leaderboard as they gave me such amazing support. I think that the experience I’ve gained since in winning the CME will really help me this year and especially at the Ricoh Women’s British Open.”
Kingsbarns has hosted the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship since 2001, Final Qualifying for The Open in 2010 and the 2013 Ricoh Women’s British Open Final Qualifying. The course has been widely acclaimed by players and media alike since opening 14 years ago and has fitted seamlessly into the famous golfing area of St Andrews.
The Ricoh Women’s British Open was founded by the LGU in 1976 and has been staged in conjunction with IMG, a global leader in sports, events, media and fashion, since 1984. The event has been co-sanctioned by the LPGA and LET since 1994, and gained Major status in 2001.
Ariya Jutanugarn with Ricoh Womens British Open 2016 trophy.
