Ricoh Women’s British Open

This year’s Women’s British Open to be held over the Old Course from 2-5 August will be sponsored by Ricoh, the Japanese office equipment company. The event, which will be the first professional ladies’ tournament to be played at St Andrews, is one of four annual majors on the ladies’ tour and the only one played outside of the USA. ‘All of us at the Home of Golf are looking forward to welcoming the best players in the world,’ said Alan McGregor, general manager of St Andrews Links Trust. ‘Women have always had the same rights as men to play golf at St Andrews and I am delighted that this prestigious tournament will be gracing the Old Course.’

The Ricoh Women’s British Open is expected to attract up to 100,000 people to the venerable links to watch the greats of the ladies’ game vie for a share of over £1 million in prize money and a place in history. Previous ladies’ champions on the Old Course include Joyce Wethered, widely considered the greatest female player of all time.

The championship Old Course for ladies measures 6638 yards, the longest for any Women’s British Open, and has a par of 73, with the Road Hole playing as a par 5. The course where Tiger Woods clinched his second successive St Andrews Open title was 7279 yards in length.

Lesley Burn, CEO of the Ladies' Golf Union, which stages the championship, was thrilled to bring the European Tour’s flagship to St Andrews: ‘For the women's game it's another step forward. The profile of the Women's British Open in the world of golf continues to rise and with the backing of such a successful and established global company the future is very bright.’

Kirk Yoshida, Executive Vice President of Ricoh said: ‘We see the Ricoh Women’s British Open as the perfect event to represent our brand on the global stage. Everything from the international flavour of the field, the rich heritage, and its major status make it ideal. It is especially exciting that this year’s event will take place at the Home of Golf.’

One player who has already spent some time practising on the Old Course is Paula Creamer, the young American star, who commented: ‘It was one of the best golfing moments of my career and I can't wait to return in August.’

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Ladies' Golf Union website

Ricoh British Women's Open official website