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Karen Stupples & Laura Davies return at Chart Hills
England’s Karen Stupples returns to competitive action tomorrow at the 54-hole Ladies English Open at Chart Hills Golf Club in Kent.
The 2004 Women’s British Open champion had first son Logan just ten weeks ago and hasn’t walked 18 holes of golf since November.
However she did walk eight holes in Tuesday’s pro-am and said: “I’m a little nervous but really excited as well. I’m coming back about two weeks early but I would like to do well. I want to give it 100 percent.”
For the first two days Stupples will play in the same group as four-time LET champion Gwladys Nocera and Swede Maria Hjorth, who won the event back-to-back in 2004 and 2005.
“I think it’s a good field. Gwladys always has a chance and Maria having won here before knows what the course is all about,” said Stupples, who is also joined by seven-time Ladies European Tour number one Laura Davies and defending champion Cecilia Ekelundh from Sweden.
“Laura’s in good form but you can never rule out someone having a break out win. I’d love to play well and ultimately I feel really good about my game.
“This will be the first time I’ve walked 18 holes since November which puts it into perspective. I’ve played 18 holes but when I was in a buggy in America. I don’t feel it will be a problem to play 18 but this will be my first time so that’s why I was disappointed to be rained out in the pro-am. My game is exactly where I want it to be – I’ve just got to keep my focus even if I get tired – that will be the main challenge.”
Ekelundh, who claimed her third LET title at Chart Hills last year in tricky conditions, has suffered with thyroid problems for the first half of the season and added: “I don’t have any expectations. I just want to go back and see if I can get the same feeling as I had last year.
“It’s a great feeling getting the good vibes when you come back here. We’ve got the same type of weather as well and I love it! I like it when we have testing conditions and when you have to use your brain to hit different shots. This is my favourite golf course all year.”
Hjorth, who skipped last year’s event, felt confident ahead of her attempt to secure a hat-trick of English Open titles.
She said: “I’ve been playing really well coming into this week - you just have to see what the weather’s going to be like. It’s a good field and a lot of players are playing well.
“I’ve been playing solid golf and haven’t had too many downs, which is nice. At the moment I’m just very consistent.
“I think I’m playing a lot better than when I won here. The first win in 2004 was kind of out of the blue, I was playing badly that year. Two years ago I played a little better but not as good as now.”
The Ladies English Open is being backed by British based magazine Golf Punk, whose proprietor, former Republic of Ireland international Phil Babb, will be caddying for Australian professional Anna Rawson in the tournament.
He explained: “I caddied on the LET down at Machynys last year (at the Wales Ladies Championship). I was surprised by the standard of all the players. You see the big names, but then you see how the newer players and the rookies can play. The standard is pretty high and it helps my game.
“I didn’t get keen on golf until I was 27. Former Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler got me into it, with
Steve Harkness and Neil Ruddock. The Premiership did a Masters tournament for television and I was driving the drinks buggy. I literally hit a ball, flushed it, and was hooked ever since.”
July 6, 2007 |
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