Golf: Champion positive for Open defence

Karen Stupples - pleased to be home. Picture / Reuters

SOUTHPORT - England's Karen Stupples is confident going into the defence of her women's British Open title, despite struggling for form this season.

The 32-year-old joined Laura Davies and Alison Nicholas as English players to win a women's major when she landed the title with a stunning final round at Sunningdale last year.

She started out eagle, albatross on the way to a 64 which sealed a five-shot victory over Australia's Rachel Hetherington.

"It's nice to be back playing at home this week and this is a course that I know very well and always enjoy playing," she said.

"It's a very different golf course to Sunningdale, but you have to adopt a similar strategy. It's about being patient, placing the ball and, if the wind blows, it will be a case of survival and producing functional golf."

Twice a winner on the LPGA Tour last year, Stupples is still awaiting her third victory in six years as a professional and is down at No 40 on the money list.

"I think my expectations were so high when I came out this season that I put too much pressure on myself," she said.

"It's been a difficult year because I made some little adjustments to my swing and then tried to change to firmer shafts, which hasn't quite worked out. I guess I've been a little impatient."

Stupples was tied for the lead after three rounds of last month's US Open before finishing 10th and was fifth in the recent English Open.

Davies, who won her one British Open at Birkdale 19 years ago, is relishing her return to the venue.

"This is one of my favourite courses and I feel I'm playing well enough to win," she said.

Fifteen-year-old amateur Michelle Wie and 18-year-old rookie Paula Creamer are making their debuts in the tournament.

Wie has not been outside the top 25 in the first three majors this year, while Creamer has won twice in her first season, including last weekend's Evian Masters in France.

- REUTERS