Last chance at glory; Weetabix Women's British Open wraps up 2005 major season

Karen Stupples of England poses with the trophy after winning the 2004 Weetabix Womens British Open  (Photo by Getty Images)

SOUTHPORT, Merseyside, England - There are many reasons that major championships are special. There are only four each year and each has its own traditions and nuances that make it stand out from the rest. The Weetabix Women's British Open, while technically the youngest of the four majors on the LPGA schedule, is rich in history and tradition, making it one of the most coveted titles in women's professional golf. This year, the Weetabix Women's British Open returns to Royal Birkdale for the first time as a major. Royal Birkdale hosted the tournament in 2000, the year before the event achieved major championship status, with Sophie Gustafson claiming the title.

Last year, Karen Stupples authored one of the most impressive final-round starts in the history of professional golf. Trailing by one, Stupples opened her round with an eagle at the first and followed with a double-eagle at the second to eventually cruise to a five-shot win over Rachel Hetherington, setting off a boisterous celebration in her home country.

But defending her title will be a stern test, as she faces a field of 150 players on the par-72 layout that will feature three par-5s on the back nine. 

This year's first three major championships have been memorable and the final one will not disappoint for drama.

Annika Sorenstam took the first two major championships by storm. She opened the major season by running away with the Kraft Nabisco Championship, winning by eight shots over Rosie Jones.

Sorenstam kept her pursuit of the Grand Slam alive by cruising to a three-shot win at the McDonald's LPGA Championship Presented by Coca-Cola.

But the Soren-Slam wasn't to be, as the youngsters took their turn at the U.S. Women's Open conducted by the USGA. Birdie Kim's dramatic hole-out for birdie from the 18th greenside bunker made Kim, 23, a Rolex First-Time Winner over amateurs Morgan Pressel and Brittany Lang.

Sorenstam resumes her pursuit of Patty Berg's record 15 major titles. Sorenstam has won nine in her storied career, but has never won three in a single season. She is trying to become the first player to win three majors in a year since Pat Bradley won the Nabisco Dinah Shore, LPGA Championship and du Maurier Classic in 1986.

While Sorenstam is chasing records, several players will be chasing their first major, including top-ranked players such as Cristie Kerr, Lorena Ochoa and Paula Creamer. Creamer, who has a stranglehold on the Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year race, claimed her second LPGA Tour title last week at the Evian Masters.

Jones is also in the field, playing in her last major after announcing that she is retiring at the end of the season. Jones has never won a major during her career and has finished in the top five 11 times, including her runner-up finish to Sorenstam earlier this year.

This Week - Weetabix Women's British Open, Royal Birkdale Golf Club, Southport, England, $1,800.000, July 28-31, 2005 

 

Karen Stupples of England celebrates winning the 2004 Weetabix Womens British Open. (Photo by Getty Images)

Par: 35-37, 72

Yardage: 6,463

Purse: $1,800,000 (subject to exchange rate fluctuations)

Winner: $279,494

Runner-up: $174,684

Format: 72-hole stroke play

Defending champion: Karen Stupples, 269 (-19)

Margin of victory: Defeated Rachel Hetherington (Teske) by five strokes

LPGA contact: Paul Rovnak

Media center: 011-44-208-233-5110

 

TV Times

TNT

July 28-29 10 a.m.-Noon

ABC

July 30 2-2:30 p.m.

July 31 1:30-3 p.m.

All times Eastern