Mo Martin shot a five-under par, 67, Friday at the Ricoh Women’s British Open to move into contention at the fourth major of the year and improve her chances of making the U.S. Solheim Cup Team.
The 2014 British Open champion was set to qualify for the Solheim Cup via the Rolex Rankings for the most of 2017, but a bad run of form saw her slip outside the automatic selection places.
However, with a bogey-free second round, Martin shot up the leaderboard and is two-shots shy of current leaders Georgia Hall and Lexi Thompson, who are at nine-under par thru two rounds.
Many golfers say the Women's British Open comes down to the luck of the draw, an opinion which definitely rings true for Martin.
“I think we've been pretty lucky with the wind and the rain,” Martin said. “A little bit of a different wind today that was coming out of the north. Still going towards the coastline. So I think that's how this course was designed, and it plays the most difficult going that way. But just a little bit tough to gauge on some of the holes whether the wind is coming into or helping.
“There's only so much you can control here. We had two delays yesterday and I don't remember when we've had two delays, but the storms that came in and the cells, they had lightning in it.
“We just sat in position when the heaviest rain came down, so we were then able to play the course when it was fairly soft. That brings in other challenges, as well, because the ball is not rolling out.”
If you grew up with Martin, her win in 2014 would have come as no surprise. “I've had friends throughout different stages of my life tell me that I'm going to win this championship, and just to actually see that come true and to live it; just in playing links, I really love the creativity that it demands,” Martin said.
“I mean, when I was just a scrappy kid playing on public golf courses they said that. I don't know. Something about it. The history has been writing itself and I'm enjoying the ride and I'm still dreaming.
“I love the challenges of having to keep it low and you know, just the spins and being able to control everything from tee-to-green and then even on the putts, the wind will affect that, as well.”
If Martin were to become a second-time Ricoh Women’s British Open champion, she could mathematically secure her place on Team U.S.A via the Rolex Rankings or Solheim Cup points, providing results go her way. It would also be tough for Juli Inkster to ignore such a stand out victory, so close to the Solheim Cup.
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