Ricoh Women’s British Open

Round One

World number one Lorena Ochoa showed just why she has reached the top of the rankings today after going around the Old Course in 67, six under par.

The Mexican birdied 5, 8, 9, 10, 15 and 17 to set the pace for the rest of the field in the Ricoh Women’s British Open.

Using her driver only six times, Ochoa produced her best round of the year so far finding fairway after fairway and managing to avoid the infamous bunkers that litter the course:

‘I love my start… the first round at St Andrews, six under; that’s going to be special. I’m going to keep my golf ball and my scorecard and keep them in a safe place,’ she said.

Sweden’s Louise Friberg came home in four under par after a combination of six birdies and two bogies. She shares second place with Korean In-Bee Park, who had four birdies in a row around the turn.

A shot further back are Japan's Ai Miyazato and England's Rebecca Hudson.

America’s Brittany Lincicome, Australian Joanne Mills and Korean Meena Lee all finished on two under.

Defending champion Sherri Steinhauer had a solid start, carding a one under 72, the same score as Annika Sorenstam, who birdied the last two holes to get into red figures.

Round Two

Lorena Ochoa remains the leader of the Ricoh Women's British Open following an even par round of 73 but her two shot overnight lead has been halved.

A birdie at the first promised a better return for the world's top player but a stiff westerly breeze in the afternoon made low scoring difficult and although Lorena birdied 14 she dropped shots at 11 and 18 to stand on 140, six under par.

Only one shot back are Wendy Ward and home hope Catriona Matthew. The American went round in 70 for a two round total of 141, five under, while Matthew had a flawless 68, with birdies at 2, 6, 7 11 and 17.

Annika Sorenstam and Sherri Steinhauer remain ominoulsy close to the leader after both finished two under for totals of 143. They are joined in equal fourth spot by England's Rebecca Hudson, Japan's Yuri Fudoh and France's Karine Icher.

Veteran Julie Inkster proved that she has the game for the Old Course after coming home in 68, improving yesterday's effort by eleven shots.

Michelle Wie birdied the eighteenth but that was her last contribution to the event after she signed for an 80.

Round Three

A second consecutive par round of 73 was enough to give Lorena Ochoa a six shot lead going into the final eighteen holes of the Ricoh Women's British Open.

In a day dominated by a strong westerly crosswind, Lorena was one of only four women who did not drop shots on the Old Course playing at its toughest.

Her partner in tomorrow's showdown will be Linda Wessberg of Sweden, who signed for a superb 72. Only fellow Swede Maria Hjorth and Stacy Prammanasudh of the US could equal that score on a day when the pin flags cracked like gun shots.

Ochoa birdied 3 and 5 to establish an early cushion and she went out in 35 after dropping a shot at 7. An amazing par save from in front of Strath bunker was followed by a birdie at 12, where her playing partner Wendy Ward three putted to hand Ochoa a six shot lead.

Although Lorena dropped shots at 13 and 16 on the way home no damage was done to her lead as all her nearest challengers struggled.

Ward eventually signed for a 75, while Catriona Matthew had to settle for an 80 and Annika Sorenstam took 77.

Round Four

Lorena Ochoa wins the Ricoh Women's British Open
The world's best woman golfer today won the first profesional ladies' event on the Old Course, taking her first ever major championship and joining the ranks of the game's greats who have won at the Home of Golf. She finished the tournament on five under par, four clear of Jee Young Lee and Maria Hjorth who were the only other players to finish in red numbers.

Lorena led the tournament from the start and was clearly a cut above her competitors this week, rising to the challenge of the Old Course with style and imagination.

Birdies today at 5, 6 and 9 provided the evidence that she was not going to lose her lead and although she dropped shots at 8, 11, 15 and 17 there was never any doubt that she would come out on top.

Mhairi McKay of Scotland and Miki Saiki of Japan both equalled Lorena's first round 67 to share the newly created woman's professional record with the new champion.

This season's St Rule Trophy winner Melissa Reid of Chevin in Derbyshire finished top amateur on four over par.

Gallery

Round Four draw

Preview

Ricoh to sponsor Women's British Open

Ladies' Golf Union website

Ricoh British Women's Open official website