CATRIONA Matthew and Mhairi McKay begin an important run in Europe as Scotland's hopes at today's Evian Masters in France. Next week, it is the final major of the year, the Ricoh Women's British Open at Sunningdale.
Matthew, who has had one second place this season, admits that she has yet to produce her best form over the Evian course that overlooks Lake Geneva and is undoubtedly one of the most picturesque stops on the women's Tour.
"I don't really know wh
y, but I never quite seem to be able to put four good rounds together here," admitted the North Berwick golfer. "But maybe this year."
Originally the first reserve, McKay only got into the elite 90-strong field on Sunday when the already exempt South Korean Ji Young Oh won the State Farm Classic.
"It's great to be here," said McKay of a £1.7 million tournament that has joined the US Women's Open as the richest in the women's game. "I've missed out the last couple of seasons and it's good to get to play this week before the British Open."
American Natalie Gulbis defends the title she won in a play-off against South Korea's Jeong Jang last year, while Lorena Ochoa, who defends the British Open next week, is the title favourite.
For two-time winner Annika Sorenstam, it is an Evian swansong. The 37-year-old, who has announced that she will retire at the end of the current season, has played every year since its inception in 1995 and has won it twice, in 2000 and 2002.
The full article contains 269 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
