Cleethorpes golfer Holly Clyburn ready to take on the best at Ricoh Women's British Open
CLEETHORPES golfer Holly Clyburn is relishing the experience of playing alongside top professionals at the Ricoh Women's British Open today.
The 21-year-old joins star players such as Laura Davies, Paula Creamer, Michelle Wie and world number one and defending champion Yani Tseng when the Major event tees off today at Royal Liverpool Golf Club, Hoylake.
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BIG DAY: Amateur golfer Holly Clyburn
And with windy conditions expected in the North West this week, the Curtis Cup winner is hoping to shock some of her illustrious rivals ahead of her own quest to qualify for the paid ranks in December, at the Ladies European Tour Qualifying School.
She said: "I feel on top of the world and can't wait to play with some of the best players around.
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"The weather will have a big impact judging by the forecast.
"The wind will play a part and make it quite tricky.
"I think that might give the British players an advantage.
"It was windy in qualification and some of the US pros couldn't believe how strong it was.
"It might suit my game. If I can handle my nerves and get in the zone, things might play into my hands.
"I've been playing solid all year and everything has gone well.
"Hopefully, I'll shoot some good scores and we'll see where I end up.
"It's good for me to keep playing competitively, especially against the top players.
"It'll help me know where I've got to be and what parts of my game I need to work on ahead of the Tour Qualifying School in December."
Amateur star Clyburn qualified for her first British Open on Monday, finishing joint 11th on two over par in the 18-hole final qualifying round at Caldy Golf Club, Wirral.
"I'm very pleased to have qualified," she said. "I worked hard and put my heart into getting here.
"It's going to be the same layout as the Men's Open in 2006.
"I've walked the course – there are some great holes and some testers.
"It's a very good challenge for me."
Clyburn tees off at 11.40am today alongside Karen Stupples and American Angela Stanford.
The experienced duo both featured in the Curtis Cup as amateurs before going on to play in that event's professional equivalent, the Solheim Cup.
Stupples was a Curtis Cup winner in 1996 – the last time GB&I lifted the trophy until this year, when Clyburn helped the team to victory.
Seven British amateurs – including four of Clyburn's team-mates in this year's GB&I Curtis Cup team – qualified for the British Open.
But Humberston professional Sophie Walker missed making the top-21 cut by just one shot.
Clyburn added: "Judging by qualifying, the amateurs could have an impact.
"I think some of the pros don't realise how much the amateur game has come on."
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