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Second-round play suspended. For the second consecutive day play was suspended due to darkness at the Ricoh Women's British Open on Friday. Second-round play was suspended at 9:20 p.m. on Friday with three players remaining on the Old Course at St. Andrews (Beatriz Recardi, Angela Stanford and Lotta Wahlin). Second-round play will resume at 6 a.m. on Saturday. The 36-hole cut will be made immediately following the completion of the second round and the third round will being at 7 a.m.

Ochoa holds lead with even-par day. World number one Lorena Ochoa holds a one-shot lead going into the weekend at the Ricoh Women's British Open after carding an even-par round on the Old Course at St. Andrews on Friday. Ochoa, who recorded two birdies and two bogeys on Friday, leads by one shot over Scot Catriona Matthew and American Wendy Ward going into this third round.

Matthew and Juli Inkster both shot low-round 67's on Friday while Ward posted a 3-under 70 to move into a tie for second with Matthew. Matthew won twice on the Old Course as an amateur, winning the St. Rule Trophy in 1993 and 1994. She had held the women's amateur course record of 67 until it was broken earlier this year.

Sorenstam in the hunt. Annika Sorenstam has fired two under-par rounds of 72-71 on the Old Course and goes into the weekend three shots behind leader Lorena Ochoa. This marks the second straight week that Sorenstam has found herself in a position that was a constant for the 69-time LPGA tournament winner before her injury kept her off the golf course for just over a month this spring. Sorenstam tied for sixth last week at the Evian Masters, her best finish since returning from her injury at the end of May. Still looking for her first win in 2007, Sorenstam has won the Women's British Open once, at the Royal Lytham & St. Annes Golf Club in 2003.

Inkster to play weekend after second-round 67. LPGA Tour veteran Juli Inkster carded a low-round 68 during Friday's second round at the Old Course at St. Andrews and looks to make the 36-hole cut on Saturday morning at the Ricoh Women's British Open. Inkster followed up a first-round 79 with an eagle and four birdies to go along with just one bogey. She is currently tied for 19th going into the weekend at the historic home of golf.

The 47-year-old is coming off a tie for third at the Evian Masters last week in Evian-les-Bains, France. Inkster, a 31-time winner on the LPGA Tour, held the lead two-shot lead going into the final round, but recorded three bogeys in the last five holes.

Defending champion Steinhauer three back. Defending champion Sherri Steinhauer is making yet another good showing at the Women's British Open. Steinhauer is currently tied for fourth and three shots behind leader Lorena Ochoa following the second round at the Ricoh Women's British Open. Steinhauer was 2-under for the day and is 3-under for the tournament with scores of 72-71=143 so far this week. Of her seven victories on Tour, Steinhauer has won three times at the Women's British Open. Steinhauer most recently won last year at Royal Lytham & St. Annes and was also victorious in back-to-back years in 1998 and 1999 before the tournament was an LPGA major.

Lorena Ochoa, 67-73=140 (-6)
Scorecard: Hole 1, 376-yard par 4: birdie – seven-iron to seven feet
Hole 11, 160-yard par 3: bogey – three-putt from 50 feet
Hole 14, 523-yard par 5: birdie – 3-wood on green in two to 15 feet, missed putt
Hole 18, 357-yard par 4: bogey – 50 degree wedge

COLIN CALLANDER: Ladies and gentlemen, we have Lorena Ochoa who played today a round of level par 73 and is currently standing on 6 under par, 140 one shot ahead of Wendy Ward. Can I have your reaction to the round today, please, Lorena?
LORENA OCHOA: Yes, sure. Hello. Yes, it was a good day. It was tough, tough conditions. I'm very pleased with my round. I'm upset about that 3 putt on 18, but I didn't leave myself in a good position for my second shot. Nothing I can do now. I'm just glad I still have the lead.

I think, you know, this morning, the weather was good, and in the afternoon we thought it was going to be even worse. So I guess we got a break and we're trying to be positive. Like I said I'm happy with the way I finished and I can't wait to be here tomorrow.

COLIN CALLANDER: Conditions were okay this, afternoon but different from yesterday, wasn't it?
LORENA OCHOA: Yes, for sure, the golf course completely changed. Different tee shots and different places to aim. It's very different, and you know, I'm very pleased the way we worked the strategy with my caddie. I think we are in good shape and I think we understand pretty good the golf course and hopefully, you know, we can keep doing the same thing for a couple more days.

Q. Was it more of a cross wind today?
LORENA OCHOA: No, no, yesterday was across, too, but just very light.

Today it kept changing during the day. We were starting into the wind and then just kind of like moved away. I don't even know which direction, but it's moving actually into the wind on 18, so that was different, too. But I'm just glad I'm in and it was a good day.

COLIN CALLANDER: Can we go through your birdies?
LORENA OCHOA: No. 1, I hit my 7 iron to six or seven feet for birdie.

On 11, I used the green on one, way right, maybe 50 feet and I 3 putted. I leave my first putt short about ten feet and I missed that.

And then on No. 14, I hit on the green in two with a 3 wood, I want to say 240 yards. I actually was maybe 15 feet for eagle and I 2 putted for birdie.

Then 18, I hit the green in two with a 50 degree wedge, long, and a little bit left, maybe 25 feet and I 3 putted.

Q. This year at Wimbledon, the women got paid the same as the men. Do you foresee this ever happening in golf?
LORENA OCHOA: Oh, I would love to see that. Hopefully I'm still around when that happens.

You know, we are really happy with what we have right now. I think the LPGA is doing a great job. I think we are moving forward very fast, and we are very, very pleased and happy with the Commissioner and just the whole tour.

I'm happy with what we have. Hopefully, you know, we can always get better and hopefully we move forward.

Q. In your lifetime?
LORENA OCHOA: Well, hopefully it happens and I'm still playing, that would be nice.

Q. What happened on the 14th.
LORENA OCHOA: You know, you hit so many good shots on this course that you don't finish where you want them to and then you hit other ones where you get a couple of good breaks. But that one was perfect, just the line that I wanted to, and I was hoping to get a good bounce, and it did.

I'm sorry I didn't make that putt for eagle, it would have been really great, but I'm happy with the birdie.

COLIN CALLANDER: Thank you very much, Lorena, and good luck tomorrow.

Catriona Matthew, 73-67=141 (-5)
Scorecard: Hole 2, 400-yard par 4: birdie – made six foot putt
Hole 6, 369-yard par 4: birdie – sand wedge to eight feet
Hole 7, 353-yard par 4: birdie – driver, putt to five feet, made five-foot putt
Hole 11, 160-yard par 3: birdie – 6-iron to eight feet
Hole 17, 453-yard par 5: birdie – 4-rescue on green in two, two-putt

COLIN CALLANDER: Catriona, round of 68 today, 141, 5 under. Tell us about your round today.
CATRIONA MATTHEW: Yeah, delighted the wind didn't pick up as much as I thought it would and happy with my round.

Q. How well did you play today?
CATRIONA MATTHEW: Yeah, obviously played really well today. Just kind of missed the ball in the right place, and avoided the bunkers and gave myself a few birdie chances and managed to take advantage, which was good.

Q. What was the difference between today and yesterday's 73?
CATRIONA MATTHEW: Yeah, I mean, I think just got off to a better start. I missed probably an 8 footer for birdie on the first and holed from about six feet on the second and just gave myself chances on the first few holes. In this kind of wind you want to try to get off to a good start and that's what I did.

6, I hit just a little sand iron onto about eight feet and holed that.

7, kind of got a little lucky. Hit my driver off the tee and it just shot forward and managed to miss the bunker and putted up to probably five feet and holed that for birdie.

11, hit 6 iron into eight feet and holed that one.

17, I hit my four rescue on to the green and 2 putted for a birdie.

Q. Did you get any vibe this morning that it was going to be a really good day for you?
CATRIONA MATTHEW: No. I thought I mean, the weather forecast I saw was it was meant to be really windy. I saw it wasn't windy this morning and it started picking up when I was practicing and I thought the other way just, I thought, oh, God, it's just going to be just kind of hang on today.

So, yeah, obviously started well which is obviously crucial.

Q. Have you made any adjustment this year from how you played previously?
CATRIONA MATTHEW: No, I haven't, to be honest.

Q. Have you received your Honorary Membership of the St Rule Club yet? What was your lowest round at the St Rule Trophy?
CATRIONA MATTHEW: Yes, I have received that. I came up for a practice round a few weeks ago, and received it then which was very nice.

My lowest round, I think was maybe a 67. I can't be certain.

COLIN CALLANDER: On a very different golf course.
CATRIONA MATTHEW: Yeah, obviously a different course. Much shorter.

Q. Do you think your experience from your amateur days here serves you well?
CATRIONA MATTHEW: Yes, I think so, definitely. It's amazing how quickly you remember the course even though it was a long time ago. I played it, just putting from so far off and I've putted well this week. My lag putting has been good from 40 feet, which obviously you need to do well here. Yeah, maybe just a little bit of experience.

Q. How well did you play in the practice round?
CATRIONA MATTHEW: Not overly well. Got beaten.

Q. The last Scot to contend in an Open here was a certain Colin Montgomerie. Do you look forward to contending with the nation on your shoulders?
CATRIONA MATTHEW: Yeah, I'm looking forward to it. Hopefully it will inspire me. Obviously it's great today finishing those last few holes and there's still some big crowds out there cheering me on, so it was a great feeling. Nice to get some support, when you play in the States all the time, I don't get the same sort of support.

Q. Do you know Colin well?
CATRIONA MATTHEW: No, I've never met him, actually.

Q. Has having baby, Katie, helped you to relax on the golf course?
CATRIONA MATTHEW: Yeah, it really has. Golf isn't quite as important which helps me relax a little bit more.

Certainly busier, have to manage my time a little better, make my practice more productive.

Q. Will you be able to bath her tonight?
CATRIONA MATTHEW: No, she'll probably be in bed by now.

Q. Do you think you will feel a mixture of excitement and nerves over the weekend?
CATRIONA MATTHEW: Yeah, obviously it wouldn't be normal if you're not going to be nervous over the next two days. But I'm playing well so there's no reason why I can't go out and have another couple of good rounds.

Q. How were the crowds today?
CATRIONA MATTHEW: Yeah, it was great, certainly, coming down the last few holes. It was a great feeling, hearing all of the cheering when you are coming on the green.

Q. And the rest of the course?
CATRIONA MATTHEW: Yeah, I mean, obviously there are crowds from the first hole. But with the stands on the last few holes, I think you kind of hear it more I think.

Q. Were the conditions better than you expected?
CATRIONA MATTHEW: Yeah, I think it's lucky, we've had the same wind every day, just about, which makes it easier. But certainly a little bit windier today than yesterday but not as windy as they forecast, so I think we're lucky with that.

Q. In the men's game, winning a major can be a life changing thing. Is it the same in the women's game?
CATRIONA MATTHEW: I don't know, really. Yeah, you could ask me that on Sunday. Yeah, obviously it would be great to win.

COLIN CALLANDER: Catriona, thank you very much.

Wendy Ward, 71-70=141 (-5)
Scorecard: Hole 1, 376-yard par 4: birdie – made 12-foot putt
Hole 5, 514-yard par 5: birdie – hybrid just off green, two-putt, made three-foot putt
Hole 11, 160-yard par 3: bogey – 4-iron right of pin, missed 15-foot par putt
Hole 12, 314-yard par 4: birdie – 9-iron from 116 yards on green
Hole 14, 523-yard par 5: birdie – 9-iron from 125 yards on green
Hole 17, 453-yard par 5: birdie – chip to three feet
Hole 18, 357-yard par 4: bogey – three-putt from 45 feet

COLIN CALLANDER: We have Wendy Ward with 70 today, 141, 5-under par, congratulations. Can you give me your general thoughts on the round, please.
WENDY WARD: Well, it was almost two different rounds, because the first nine, we didn't have much wind, might have been five, ten miles an hour. And then we made the turn on to No. 10, and it's like they turned the wind dial up twofold. Kind of two different spans of the round.

COLIN CALLANDER: You still played good golf on the back nine.
WENDY WARD: You know, I just kept it low, played it totally different. I was almost hitting my normal ball flight on the front. And then the second nine, I really brought it down and, you know, kind of hit my three-quarter shot and kept my head high and seemed to do okay with it.

COLIN CALLANDER: Is that something you work on specifically for this golf course?
WENDY WARD: On this golf course. That's kind of how we played the practice rounds, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and really try to see how creative we could be keeping the ball down. I was fortunate enough to have two local caddies in the group that kind of kept calling our shots for us and cringing if we took out a sand wedge or something. It was fun.

Q. Are you a good wind player?
WENDY WARD: Where I really kind of mastered my wind game is I live in Washington State, eastern Washington, just outside of Spokane and there's a lot of wind that blows there.

We don't get a lot of rain in east Spokane, east Washington. We were fortunate on that. I, at least, expected to see some rain coming in on the back side, and real fortunate but we didn't get that.

COLIN CALLANDER: There are a couple more experienced players up there. Do you think that's one reason, they are more used to the different conditions?
WENDY WARD: I just answered that question in the BBC tent, and Lorena is known to be a very high ball-striker. So I think it's remarkable that she's playing as well as she is. And I'm known as a high ball-striker. So I think we are actually get to kind of stretch ourselves and get to hit some shots that normally we don't hit.

COLIN CALLANDER: Can we go through the birdies.
WENDY WARD: The first birdie came on the 1st. Like I said there wasn't much wind, I tried to keep it down a little bit. Hit it to 12 feet and holed it.

The par 5, the 5th, first time I really got to take a run at that green because the wind has been into us but this time it was moving left-to-right and had about 235 yards and hit a little hybrid 19-degree. Actually, I was just off the green there and rolled it up to three feet and made it for birdie.

11, I was in-between clubs there. Like I said before, we haven't quite had this southwest wind and I was in between 5-iron and my 22-degree hybrid which is my 4-iron. And I went with the 22 to keep it down and I just sent it right through it all and got right of the pin and it's just a runway from there on out. Almost made the putt for par. Had about probably a 15-footer for par there.

12, played the hole the local way down the right-hand side intentionally in the rough and had about 116-yard shot and I caught my chip 9-iron and kept it low, landed it on the front and it rolled right up.

14, similar yardage, 125, a little 9-iron, kept it low. It's funny because we keep saying in the 115, 125 yardages, but we're only flying the approach shots maybe 90 yards. That's different from the way I usually calculate my 9-iron.

17, hit a good drive, just kind of left edge of the fairway and had 226 all the way back to the hole and as we all know, that green kind of shortens up on the right but that was kind of my angle. And I ran it up, it rolled over the ridge and just kind of hung on the horizon for the longest time and I thought it was going to be great and I was fortunate it hung up on the side of the hill and hit a great little chip to three feet and made the birdie.

And then 18, I had not ever hit back to that pin if you can believe that. We didn't think the pin would be there from the knowledge that the local caddies were giving us, so I never really played up that way. That it was so far back, I thought I could hit my normal 60-yard shot in there and the balls just don't respond here off the wedges like we are used to off the ground and the ball went straight off my face and I left myself with about a 45-foot putt and rolled it to about four feet.

I looked at my caddie and I said, "I could see this putt going either way."

He said, "Firm, left centre." I hit it firm, and it went left. I thought it was going right, too, but it was really more of a miss-read than a mis-hit. Didn't care to finish that way but still very pleased with the day.

Q. Not the only surprise so far as far as pin placements were concerned?
WENDY WARD: As far as pin placements, there have been a couple ones they used on No. 2 that I didn't think they would ever be that right. They have to use caution with sharing the green on the other side. The ones on 2 were a little bit easier.

Q. What would it mean to you to win at St Andrews?
WENDY WARD: Talking about that on Sunday. I can't fathom that right now. I'm having so much fun playing golf, I only get to play golf this way one time a year. I have to pinch myself out there a few times and say, you're playing the tournament, you know you're not just playing St. Andrews for fun. Yet, I have to also tell myself, my best tournaments, my best scores have come from just trying to get the most fun out of the game.

COLIN CALLANDER: Wendy, thank you very much, indeed, and good luck over the weekend.

Annika Sorenstam, 72-71=143 (-3)
Scorecard: Hole 5, 514-yard par 5: birdie - 7-wood right of green, chip, tap-in
Hole 8, 154-yard par 3: birdie – 8-iron to three feet
Hole 9, 347-yard par 4: bogey – 9-iron over green, chip to seven feet, two-putt
Hole 12, 314-yard par 4: bogey – sand wedge to 25 feet, three-putt
Hole 14, 523-yard par 5: birdie – sand wedge to 15 feet
Hole 17, 453-yard par 5: birdie – sand wedge to three feet

COLIN CALLANDER: Ladies and gentlemen, we have Annika Sorenstam. She's just returned a 71 for's 3 under par total of 143. Congratulations, Annika. That's a very good round of golf today.
ANNIKA SORENSTAM: Thank you. That's funny that you say good morning, because I've been up forever.

But no, obviously I'm very happy and obviously the conditions were a little easier this morning. I don't think we had a breath of air really. You know, just very smooth greens, so I tried to take advantage of it and was really able to early but I played really steady and got off I would say the finish was quite strong.

COLIN CALLANDER: What time did you have to get up this morning?
ANNIKA SORENSTAM: Around 4.00.

COLIN CALLANDER: When the last time you had one of those tee times, a long time ago?
ANNIKA SORENSTAM: Yeah, I think so, I can't remember. It's not one of those things you want to remember. I love to sleep and normally that's when I sleep the best.

It's tough to go to bed so early knowing I have to get up because I was so wound up after the first round and was thinking about all of the different shots. I tried to tell myself, 'You've got to sleep, you've got to get up in about six hours.'

Q. What holes were playing downwind?
ANNIKA SORENSTAM: Downwind, let's see the first seven holes, we didn't really have any wind. Then actually we had downwind on 11, and then it was into on the back nine. So it was really the opposite of yesterday.

Q. You mentioned thinking about shots; does this course make you do that more than most?
ANNIKA SORENSTAM: I think so. It's such a different golf course, and, you know, when it's downwind and a few bunkers come into play, and when it's into the win, other bunkers come into play. I was just trying to think my way around the golf course and then I can show that I have the right strategy.

But what's so difficult here, even though you might plan ahead, you never know what you're going to get, even though in the morning there might be no wind and that might change. You really have to be able to adapt very quickly and you know, especially now on the back nine, there was 14, that was the only reachable par 5; not today. I hit 5 iron in on 15 and 5 iron on 16, and those are tough greens to have long clubs in.

You have to be patient and go for the centre of the green and see what happens.

Q. Can you talk about 17?
ANNIKA SORENSTAM: Well, if par was 4, I would say would be a very tough hole. We were lucky to have a par 5. But the end of the day it doesn't really matter what the par is.

I just tried to play smart there and today I hit driver a little bit more left off the tee because it was into, and then I hit a 4 iron just short of the green and just tried to make an up and down for a four.

Today it wasn't a pin that you can be aggressive with, and you just have to play smart on that hole. It's so easy to want to finish strong with birdie and get too aggressive. You really have to control yourself.

Q. You haven't been in any bunkers?
ANNIKA SORENSTAM: I try not to.

Q. Happy with the way you're playing?
ANNIKA SORENSTAM: The way I felt, yeah, I thought I hit the ball beautifully today. I had a lot of chances. I thought I putted well but didn't make as many putts. Not those crucial par putts I had on the 9th hole and 12th hole. Those two would have been nice but other than that, I was staying to my game plan. I was trying to be patient, and if I made a mistake, my goal was to go to the next tee with a fresh mind, and I think I did pretty well there.

So that's my strategy for the next few days. Things are going to happen on this golf course, but you have to let them go.

Q. Has it been helpful having Tiger's yardage book?
ANNIKA SORENSTAM: Yeah, I would say so. I normally don't carry a yardage book, so for me to have one is a big change. But I do think on this golf course, you really need to know exactly where the bunkers are and what direction to play. It's not so easy sometimes because it's a lot of blind shots. Just by having the book there looking at it that yardage book has some experience, and I think it's helping me.

Q. Yesterday, some rounds were taking 6 hours. Did you talk about that on the course today?
ANNIKA SORENSTAM: Well, we talked a little about it well, Morgan and I. We said it would be nice to get as many holes in as possible with no wind, so the faster we play, the better the chance.

I thought the pace was great on front nine and then we had to wait on the 11th when everybody was crossing all of the different directions. But, I mean, I'm a fast player. The rhythm is so important, and yesterday is tough in the wind, but it's even tougher when you just have to stand and wait all the time.

Q. Do you wish play was a little bit faster?
ANNIKA SORENSTAM: Well, I don't think anybody enjoys it; not the players, not the fans, and I'm sure you don't enjoy it. It is a tough golf course, though. There's so many shots that's crisscrossing. And when the wind is blowing, you have these big greens and then you end up maybe even closer to the pin that you made nine holes ago.

It's a tough golf course to play fast when there's a lot of players around.

Q. Did you deliberately play out of turn on the 3rd hole to speed up play or was it just a mistake?
ANNIKA SORENSTAM: No, I don't really remember, it was so long ago. You'd have to find that out, I don't know. I don't know what it was no. If we did it that way, then it was something that I had no idea of. Maybe Morgan did it intentionally.

Q. Can you comment on the performance of the young Swede Anna Norddquist?
ANNIKA SORENSTAM: By who? I don't know how she did.

Q. She shot 76, three over par?
ANNIKA SORENSTAM: Yeah, that's a good score. The conditions were tough yesterday. I mean, I know she's a very talented young lady. I've met her a few times. Obviously I didn't see her play.

Q. What will you do between now and the third round?
ANNIKA SORENSTAM: Well, I think I'm going to get some lunch and practice a little bit, and then I'm going to go to the ladies clubhouse and receive my membership from this golf club, which is a great honor. I'm excited about that.

Q. What will you work on on the range?
ANNIKA SORENSTAM: I just want to continue to work on the things I've been working on, which is mostly setting the club in the right position at the back and just releasing it.

You know, I feel very good about these changes and I've done really well. I just want to keep on doing them, because I mean, on the weekend, the last thing I want to do is worry about my swing. It's going to be too many other things to keep track of. Just winding down a little bit, hit a few putts and I'll call it a day.

Q. How many drivers did you hit?
ANNIKA SORENSTAM: I can't give you an exact number. I'm not really sure, but I know it's over ten.

Q. Are you pretty much exactly where you would like to be at the moment?
ANNIKA SORENSTAM: Let's put it this way; I'm very pleased. I'm happy to be done. I'm happy to be under par. I feel good about my game.

You know, who knows where I finish by the end of the day, and it's really irrelevant. I just feel good the way I'm playing. And I think the key for me is to continue to be steady the next two days, keep my nerves calm and be patient. You know, I'm looking forward to a great weekend. I mean, this is a weekend I think a lot of the players are looking forward to. It's just you don't get many chances like this.

Q. Have you thought about winning or is that something you definitely don't want to think about yet?
ANNIKA SORENSTAM: I try not to think about it. You know, I'm thrilled that I'm playing well. I'm thrilled that I'm starting to play some golf, and you know, whether it's two rounds, three, or four rounds, you know, so far I think I've done as good as I can.

So you know, that's just I'm climbing slowly, and that's a good sign.

Q. Do you feel you are getting some of your length off the tee back?
ANNIKA SORENSTAM: I think so. I'm starting to get my natural draw back. I haven't really seen a draw in about 19 months. That's something you need on this course, so I'm welcoming it.

Q. (About injury).
ANNIKA SORENSTAM: Today was good. I feel really good and my strength is getting better. You know, that really that matters to me.

COLIN CALLANDER: Thank you very much, Annika. Good luck over the weekend.

Sherri Steinhauer, 72-71=143 (-3)
Scorecard: Hole 3, 370-yard par 4: birdie – wedge to 10 feet
Hole 6, 369-yard par 4: birdie – 9-iron to 50 feet, made putt
Hole 12, 314-yard par 4: bogey – tee shot into right rough, 9-iron rolled up slope and back down, three-putt
Hole 16, 381-yard par 4: birdie – 3-wood, 4-iron to 20 feet

COLIN CALLANDER: Ladies and gentlemen, we have defending champion, Sherri Steinhauer, 71 today for a total of 143, 3 under par. You must be very pleased.
SHERRI STEINHAUER: I'm very pleased. I had a real steady round today. Fortunately starting out in the beginning of the day, the wind wasn't blowing and it was actually pretty calm.

So the outward holes were not quite as difficult. I wish I could have taken a little bit more advantage of those, but I did birdie 3 and 6 going out.

So it was real happy with the day.

COLIN CALLANDER: Were you pleased with the early time?
SHERRI STEINHAUER: I actually like the time. I liked going late/early worked out to be a very good time it looks like with the way the wind is picking up now. So I may have gotten the best of the draw this week.

COLIN CALLANDER: What is it that makes you play these links courses so well?
SHERRI STEINHAUER: I'm not sure what it is but I just I do know that I love the imagination. I love to play a low ball. There's a lot of touch and feel involved. I think for my caddie, Joe Connelly, I think it's probably pretty difficult to caddie for me over here because it's just basically I go on instinct out there, and you know, I've been fortunate the last couple of days. My instincts have been pretty good.

Q. Does this tournament mean more to you than any other?
SHERRI STEINHAUER: I mean, this is a great tournament. I think it would be hard to rank them. You know, all of the majors are important events.

It would be tough to put them in order, but you know, I'm very, very proud of my accomplishments over here, and very thankful for that.

Q. Were you close to quitting the game a few years ago?
SHERRI STEINHAUER: Very, very close. I decided that I was going to seek out a new pro. My pro, Manuel de la Torre, of about 18 years, he's from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, just a wonderful, wonderful gentleman. He's 84 years old today or at this time. He did wonderful things with my golf game, and I just got to a point where I wasn't hitting it as far as the rest of the players. It was actually getting demoralising being so far behind the other players, and so I needed to make a change.

It was either I was going to quit, and I said, I was going to give it one more last effort. I began working three years ago with Hank Johnson, who is out of Birmingham, Alabama. When I first talked with him, he said that he could definitely help me hit it further.

So, you know, it's not always about how far you hit it. I know the putting is the most important, but I definitely needed to gain some distance. And so he's definitely he's helped me with that, and I have a second career.

Q. What would you have done?
SHERRI STEINHAUER: I had no idea. No idea what I was going to do.

You know, I have four older brothers. We're a very, very close family. I'm sure I would have become involved with them in something. They are basically retired right now, but they all get together every day and go into work, except for one brother is an optometrist. But the other three don't work and they go into work with my dad. They just have an office where they get together, so I guess they probably would have built another office for me.

Q. Was that 2003 when you were thinking about quitting?
SHERRI STEINHAUER: It was about three years ago, so 2004 2003, 2004, right in there.

Q. What sort of business did your family have?
SHERRI STEINHAUER: They owned a butter production plant, so the creme came in. It wasn't a farm. It was a production plant, and they made butter for the United States.

Q. Do you feel in any way that you're a better player now than you were when you were younger?
SHERRI STEINHAUER: I definitely think I'm a better player now than earlier in my career. And my dad, he even he says that now, he's never seen me play like this.

It has changed. Experience has helped, and working with a new teacher has definitely helped my game.

Q. Today, you seemed to be standing almost vertically over your putts. Have you make a change to your putting style?
SHERRI STEINHAUER: Well, the putting style or use the putter?

Q. Style.
SHERRI STEINHAUER: Oh, that was that started yesterday. (Laughter) That was very observant of you. I didn't know anyone noticed.

COLIN CALLANDER: Why did you do that?
SHERRI STEINHAUER: It just felt good. I was on the first three holes yesterday, I was crouching over it and I couldn't see the line. What am I going to do? Try to stand taller, so that's what I did.

Q. Is that an example of something when you were younger, you would have been hesitant to change, to make that kind of a change in your game?
SHERRI STEINHAUER: Well, I think I think my mind is much more wide open now to other ways of playing, other possibilities. You know, when I was younger, there was one way to play. I didn't have I didn't have much creativity. And, I don't know, I think now I'm just it's more about just trying to score.

I mean, there's days when you don't hit it well and you try everything and it doesn't work. You just never know. But I just keep an open mind out there and always thinking of just constantly working on the game. This game, you never, ever, ever have it. You never completely understand it. But I just every day probably I learn something new. Yesterday it was putting.

Q. What apart from the trophy would you like to take back from St. Andrews?
SHERRI STEINHAUER: I think it's just going to be amazing memories. I'm going to have a lifetime full of memories from this week.

Q. Do you have any friends with you?
SHERRI STEINHAUER: There's about eight or nine people that traveled from the United States. I have a little small group of people that are just friends of mine and have become friends because they followed, and they are just wonderful, great supporters of mine. That's pretty nice to have that many people that have traveled over here to watch.

Q. How are you playing 17 this week?
SHERRI STEINHAUER: Just hitting driver off the tee on left side and I'm playing for the front of the green. I had 175 to the front and about 205 to the flag today, and I just chose a 5 iron and hit it up right in front. Just trying to take that bunker out of play.

Tomorrow is going to be difficult. I saw the pin placement for tomorrow, and it's way back left. So there's a lot of different ways you could play it. You could even go left of the bunker, but I don't know if I'm going to be that brave. We'll see where the drive it.

But I'm definitely just playing short and hoping to get dip for birdie.

Q. How would you play it if it were a par 4?
SHERRI STEINHAUER: Same way. Same way.

Q. You're alongside the former No. 1 and the current No. 1 is leading. Given your record in this championship, do you think they might be more wary about you than you are about them?
SHERRI STEINHAUER: Say that again? I'm playing with

Q. You're alongside the former No. 1, and the leader is the current No. 1, do you feel you have no reason to fear them?
SHERRI STEINHAUER: I respect them immensely. They are great players. You know, when we go out there tomorrow, we're all just going to be playing our game.

So I'll just be concentrating on what I have to do, and you know, let the chips fall where they may be at the end of the week. But you know, those are two pretty tough competitors to be up against. So it's going to be quite a challenge.

COLIN CALLANDER: Has this week been any different to the other British Opens you've played?
SHERRI STEINHAUER: I don't think I've ever been in the press room this early. Usually I come in from behind.

COLIN CALLANDER: I think last year the last day was the first time you were in here.
SHERRI STEINHAUER: I know it was like that the first time because I shot 81 the first day, so they were not calling me in.

COLIN CALLANDER: Is the atmosphere different?
SHERRI STEINHAUER: It's hard to describe, because it is, it's just to be out there, it's just the best way I can describe it is just a surreal feeling; to know of all of the greats that have walked this golf course, and to know that this golf course has been here since the 15th century. I mean, that's amazing.

You know, I have a love for the game of golf, and I appreciate this place and for starting, and this place found my career.

Rebecca Hudson 70-73=143 (-3)

Q. How did you play today?
REBECCA HUDSON: I'm disappointed that I three-putted the last but really pleased that I played well. I played the course well even though the wind was coming from a different direction. We plotted well. I went in a bunker and still made par so I'm very pleased.

Q.What happened with that putt? Was it one you hadn't practised?
REBECCA HUDSON: No I did do. It was a bad putt, but anyway.

Q. Were you nervous?
REBECCA HUDSON: No, I was quite relaxed. It just didn't go where I thought it would go. I went in one bunker on ten but managed to get out and made par so I'm very pleased. Level par – I would have taken that at the beginning of the day.

Q. Was it a long day?
REBECCA HUDSON: Extremely long. We were on 14 and we passed a group on five.

Juli Inkster, 79-68=147 (+1)
Scorecard: Hole 1, 376-yard par 4: birdie – driver, 54-degree sand wedge to eight feet
Hole 5, 514-yard par 5: eagle – 3-wood, made eight-foot putt
Hole 6, 369-yard par 4: birdie – 50-degree wedge to nine feet
Hole 9, 347-yard par 4: birdie – 50-degree wedge to 12 feet
Hole 10, 340-yard par 4: birdie – driver, 58-degree wedge to six feet
Hole 15, 414-yard par 4: bogey – 5-iron left to 40 feet, three-putt

Q. On your front nine did you feel like you were in this --?
JULI INKSTER: I struggled so much with my putting yesterday I kind of shook it up a little bit. I hit it close about eight feet on one and that gave me a little momentum to get going for the rest of the day. I hit the ball a lot closer. Yesterday I had so many long putts and today I did a little better with club selection and hit them a little bit better. The front side I played great. Yesterday on number five I couldn't get there and today I got there with driver, 3-wood and made an eight-footer for eagle. It is just a different golf course out there today. I'm kind of hoping we get a little wind out there this afternoon so they can experience the wind. Yesterday it wasn't easy. Those pins were tough. It was hard and firm and I just never felt like I gave myself any opportunities for birdie.

Q. What are you impressions of the old course? Is it what you expected it to be?
JULI INKSTER: It is tougher. Even though you think you can drive it anywhere you really can't depending on a pin placement. You can drive it anywhere and be conservative, but in order to make some birdies you have to drive it in the right spot and today I did that.

Q. What does it mean to play the weekend here at the Old Course?
JULI INKSTER: It means a lot to play the weekend that is for sure. You don't want to come all the way over here and go home. I just didn't think I could play any worse than I did yesterday. That was good news.

Q. You and Sherri (Steinhauer) and Beth (Daniel) are all holding the flag high for the 40-somethings. Is there explanation for why you are playing pretty well here?
JULI INKSTER: Um -- no. Just hard work and maybe a little bit of talent.

Q. What keeps you going when you see all of these youngsters coming out there?
JULI INKSTER: Well, why not. You play 18 weeks out of the year and I get to go and play St. Andrews. I don't have to put nylons on to go to work. (laughter) I feel like I've got a pretty good job.

Q. How much harder was it yesterday than today?
JULI INKSTER: About 11 shots tougher.

Q. How mad were you when you when you came off yesterday?
JULI INKSTER: Well, what are you going to do? I had to turn around and play in 12 hours. I did some putting last night, had some dinner and got a good night sleep. Got up early and just tried to come out here and make some birdies. I saw Lorena do it yesterday. She had the same start I had so I just figured if I'm out there I just had to do it.

Q. If you were to win this week, you would be the oldest player to win on the LPGA Tour. Do you get sick of hearing about that?
JULI INKSTER: Yeah, I hear that every week. I just like to win. I don't care about the age. I just kind of let it go.

Q. You told us a couple of weeks ago how you wished you could have played this course earlier in your career, but when you have a front nine like today, does it feel like time stands still?
JULI INKSTER: Well, the thing is that you just don't hit the right shots and you have to be in the right position. It's not about playing it every day. You can play it every day and still shoot a high number. You just got to take one shot and get it there. Take the next shot and try to get it there and try to make the putt. I thought the pins were extremely tough yesterday, in the afternoon. A good shot was 30- or 40 feet and it's just hard to make those for birdie. I got off to a bad start. I needed to play better on the front side and I didn't so it put me in the hole coming in.

Q. What is it like to be here being able to get to wander the R&A clubhouse this week?
JULI INKSTER: You know what, I really haven't wandered a lot. I really don't get caught up in that stuff. Tt is what it is and hopefully we've broken a few barriers, but it wouldn't kill me if I didn't get into the clubhouse.

Q. What are your thoughts about playing Solheim Cup in Sweden again?
JULI INKSTER: Oh, I thought Sweden was a great venue. The fans are great. They were very appreciative of good golf whether you are American or European. We are going to have a very young team, but they have a lot of heart and a lot of spirit. The bottom line is, it doesn't really matter what you have got on paper. You have seen that with the men. You just have to go out and play and get the job done. So I think everybody is looking forward to it.

Q. When I say Solheim Cup to you, what is the first thing that comes to mind?
JULI INKSTER: Cotton mouth. You can get very nervous.

Q. Players in their 40s, like you, have really experienced a lot more. You have had a harder run to this than the younger players?
JULI INKSTER: We've had it a lot easier than the people before us, too. It is like everything, change takes time. You can't force it. It is just like the Masters. The time will come and we just have to keep playing good golf and get the respect that you need.

Michelle Wie, 73-80=153 (+7)

Q. How long was your birdie putt on 18?
MICHELLE WIE: About a nine-foot putt.

Q. Thoughts on the day?
MICHELLE WIE: Obviously I'm really disappointed. I hit some great drives today. My driving was fantastic. I just couldn't convert with my irons and putting. It just all came down to that. I didn't perform today, but I have to take the positives from that. I hit my driver really awesome today.

Q. Did you have any birdie chances on the greens?
MICHELLE WIE: I left myself in really tough positions and got some really unfortunate breaks in the fairway. I must have been in at least eight divots, but no excuses. I didn't hit my irons well today at all. With the wind blowing the ball just went with the wind. So unfortunately it was very unfortunate there, but I felt like my driving was very solid today.

Q. Did it give you confidence to drive the ball well today?
MICHELLE WIE: Yeah, definitely. The whole year I've been struggling with my driver and I just never got in the fairway. Today I felt like my driver was really solid. Every time I stood up to it I felt really confident so that is definitely a positive. Obviously my irons weren't good so I just have to keep it together. It's like a puzzle. I'm just getting one bit at a time.

Q. How was your wrist today?
MICHELLE WIE: It was better. Obviously today it hurt on a couple of shots. Hitting out of divots is not the greatest, but it's better. It is definitely not hurting as much and that is definitely a positive.

Q. So you must be disappointed to miss the cut at an event like this that you have looked forward to for such a long time?
MICHELLE WIE: Yeah, it is a disappointment because I didn't play as well as I wanted to. But, you know, just playing two rounds here is an amazing feat because it's two more than I've ever played here. Obviously I really, really enjoyed being here. I'm really disappointed in how I played, but like I said, I'm really glad that my driver was really working for me today. I really feel like I got the feel of my driver and I'm just going to work on bouncing back.

Q. That was probably the weak link in the first round?
MICHELLE WIE: It was definitely. This whole year my driver was the reason why I've played so bad because I couldn't hit the darn fairway, but today I was really confident on every single drive. I just have to fit the puzzle together.

Q. Do you feel like you are gaining your strength back?
MICHELLE WIE: I do. I do feel a lot stronger. I'm hitting a lot of shots that I've never really hit before so that is a positive. I just need to take the positives and go on from there. I'm starting to feel really good about it, but obviously today was not my day, but I'll do better.

Fan Diary 1: Ricoh Women's British Open

First-Round Notes and Interviews

Women's golf exhibition unveiled at British Golf Museum

Fan Diary 2: Ricoh Women's British Open

Pre-tournament Interviews

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Tournament Preview