Day 1 Golf: Women's British Open

World Cup is almost at an end, the Commonwealth Games are coming back

today is the start of two weeks of major golf coverage on the BBC. On

Merseyside, next week just south of the city it is the Open Championship

but this week it is the tower in sand Junes of Royal Birkdale, the

Women's British Open Championship. Some of the greatest names in men

and women's golf have all won here in front of the iconic clubhouse.

The most accomplished female golfers in the world have congregated here

trying to claim what will be the third major title of their golfing

year. The world number one is Stacy Lewis, the American took the trophy

in memorable style at St Andrews last year and wants to keep it.

Lydia Ko is only 17 and is the world number two. A brilliant amateur, she

is called a pro now. Inbee Park had a shot at a grand slam last year but

is still hunting the British, one of the few trophies she has never held.

Suzanne Pedersen burns with intensity, two majors to her name

but this is the one she has fed least well in. That Dale welcomes

Lexie Thompson, 19 years old, she took the first big title, the craft

the and she was fulfilling habits and she along with Michelle we who

competed in the US women open and 2041 it. Karrie Webb is a better

these days. The most decorated player on the field. The owner of

seven major titles. Bringing a splash of colour, usually pink to

proceedings is Paula Creamer, the former US Open winner, a strong

performer and a popular performer. A big change in the women's world

rankings last month, Stacy Lewis going back to the top and ending the

Inbee Park domination. She has won three times this season and Lydia Ko

only tell professional last November. The major winners of the

year so far, Lexie Thompson and Michelle we at five and six. No

British golfers in the top ten. Among them day and Laura Davies,

recently appointed in the Queen's Speech as lists. Katrina Matthew,

the first Scottish woman to win a major. Watch out for Stefanie

Meadow, in only her third professional event. Third in the US

Open last month. Will home advantage count for Florentyna Parker? Charlie

Harle, just 18, leading the European Tour money list, a teenage tigress

with a fearsome have a go attitude. In the past two years, just a bit of

a brainstorm. It has gone past so fast. Cannot believe how quick it

has gone, a bit of a blur. I have achieved a lot, it has been really

good. Great for my future, a lot of experience. You are now number one

in the European Order of Merit, having a documentary made about

you, suddenly really high profile, how UK thing with that? Does it add

pressure? There is added pressure, but that is what happens when you

are playing good, I have to deal with it. I have had a great season,

two top tens, great for my confidence. For sure, you have added

pressure, but you just had to deal with it. Good thing when you have

that pressure, you know you are getting there every week. You have

two block it out. Do you like the added buzz of the Majors? I love the

buzz. Great to be in. I love the feel of it, especially on home soil.

Charlie Harle, shaking things up a bit in the world of women's goal.

This will be eight -- Charlie Humber . . -- Charley hole, shaking things

up in the world of women's golf. How easy would it on this course? A bit

rough about, you have to be accurate. The ball is sitting down.

You won't be able to wedge that into play. You have to avoid the bunkers

at all costs, all you can do is not its foreword. The greens are in

perfect condition, running at about 11. This course is a delight, it

could not be any better, a real challenge if the wind is up. To be

the champ here, you have two be driving well, otherwise you will go

home. No thoughts of going home when the first group went out. Sunny,

with a light breeze. Amongst those following...

Good playing conditions, warm, light, a testing breeze. The

forecast is to strengthen later. Charley hole begun her round with a

double bogey, back on level terms by 14, going level for the round.

Making the best progress, this Japanese player. That would put in

for a share of the lead. Only four women under par. The

gathering pack at level par. Let's head to the commentary box, Peter

Alliss. The view never changes, looking

absolutely magnificent. The play is pretty good. Virtually no wind a

couple of hours ago, the rough is pretty thick. A formidable test.

Morgan Pressell. At 13. Oh, maybe in the clumpy stuff. A beautiful view

of the 14th. Quite an elevated tee, very inviting shot. That is spot-on

for distance. Michelle we came out, played first, straight into the

bunker. This one is playing downhill, off the right. Always a

dangerous pin to chase going in with a 6-iron plenty of club she has left

herself a lot with that one. On the 15th, the Championship leader. He

par fives coming up, they are formidable, long ones. -- three par

fives. Stacey, giving that a good crack. Dangerous bunkers up the side

of this hole. After you stay out of trouble, it is very difficult. You

can see the ball pitching there, where her playing partner's

finished. Morgan Pressell, third shot. 13th hole. A little stab down.

Not too good for direction, but the line was very good. They have a lot

of groundcover at Royal Birkdale, quite spiky. Peculiar to this neck

of the woods. If the ball settles in the bottom, not easy to play the

shot. A good turnout of spectators. Ricoh, the sponsors, laying

everything on. A bit of bounce, it has come out. A big crowd out with

Michellle Wie, looking very elegant. Seve was always very smart, and she

is looking very crisp. Anna Norquist, another tall, elegant

player. That looks very good. The Tiffany done. The aprons to the

green are absolutely flawless. She came up and over the rise, a good

call, opposed to chipping. A strong part of the game, always been a good

putter. You can see, two shots dropped on the opening three holes,

that'll be a pattern. Perhaps half a club to many, coming in a bit flat

with a 6-iron, skidding to the back of the green. They should break a

little left to right, not much. The greens are pretty quick. They are.

Earlier in the week they were up to 12, with the breeze about, around

11, they are swift. You don't want the ball being blown about. Two

putts will be OK. Quite subtle, these greens. There is always some

movement. What a lovely pace. Excellent putt. They have very

similar physiques, these two. Completely different putting styles.

A great number of tall women playing the game, not as many in my day.

Several who are six feet tall. You were a Lone Ranger? I felt like it.

There were very few players over six that when I was around. Bobby Jones,

Ben Hogan, Sam Snead. Along came Jordan Archer, now they are all

6-foot, six and growing. A chance to get this over the hill.

I remember watching her last year, very courageous, coming to St

Andrews with no entourage, quite a thing to do, she spoke no English

whatsoever. She wanted to experience the culture, not be followed around

by a team of huge people like most of the Japanese players are. That is

a good set of Spanish, she has in the bag there. Watch this, here we

go. A giraffe having a drink. The big, wide stance, very effective.

What a story, we remember watching her ten years ago, 14 years of age,

you thought, this girl will win everything. She still could. Only 24

now. Seems to have been around for ever. Quite slippery. Slide into the

right with pace. This is a slippery one for Pressel.

Oh, a Jeddah at the stroke, not smoothly through. That was a bit of

an anxious prod. Dropping a shot. Back to 2-under.

Stephanie Meadow. Out in the second group of the day. An Irish woman

from the Portrush area. Now she has burst onto the professional scene

with some sparkle. The third in her debut at Pinehurst in the US women's

open. Third last week. Well holed. Unfortunately, on seven.

14 bunkers. I assume she has tangled with the bunkers or the rough at the

15th. After a nice tidy birdie, disappointing. Plus six.

Back down the fairway. Stacy Lewis in the company of Mark James. Stacy

Lewis, 260 into a 15 mile an hour wind. The ball is bouncing. If she

hits something low, it should skip onto the green. She is a mighty

hitter. Well, as we look at Stacey, I am delighted to say we are joined

by Tom. Thank you, Maureen. Stacy Lewis with a chance to make a

birdie. When you get to this T U think we

have to get a few birdies in a bank, you have two annex some

birdies. Three par fives in the last four

holes which makes it very exciting. Level par for the Championship so

far. The chance for a birdie. She broke through last year.

The first group of the day... Karrie Webb won the Championship three

times. Dropped a shot at the last to go to level par. Trying to make up

for it here. From the right-hand side. She hit that pretty straight.

A fraction too straight. Playing some of the best golf of her

career. Two wins so far. The swing stands the test of time. Her nerves

have stood the test of time. A look at the leaderboard... UE Hara at the

top. Pressel dropped one. Not too many red numbers so far. These

players are sitting on level par late into the rounds of 15 can be

quite pleased with their days work. A lot of talent up there. Anna

Nordqvist from Sweden coming towards the third, last third of her round.

Michelle Wie with going -- going with a hybrid.

Very defensive. The stinger shot she has been using so well but it didn't

work out quite so well there. Stacy Lewis and 15. A birdie at the par-5.

A straightforward chip. See. Pitching around the front edge. A

lovely strike. Look at this! APPLAUSE

How impressed have you been with her play? I have watched her for three

or four holes but she buttons it. The middle of the club every time.

It is impressive. I can see why she is world number one. Three victories

in seven starts on the Tour. She is playing some of the best golf of her

life. That was a little bit quick from Karrie Webb. Nothing makes you

feel is more than having the chance of a birdie and walking off with

bogey. Back-to-back bogeys for the Australian. That will leave a nasty

taste in her mouth. Interesting the way Charlie played. Stacy Lewis hit

two huge shots ten yards short of the green, Charlie plotted her way

down the fairway more. Lucky to miss the left-hand bunker.

A good recovery, third shot. She was only seeing the ball going in there.

A tough start for the day, Maureen. The players are going to get used to

this, they know how tough the opening holes are. 30 players in the

first 50 starting with bogey or worse and there wasn't much wind at

6:30am this morning. A lovely little pitch from 70 yards

out at the left semi. This is a tricky putt. Left to right.

Difficult to know if it is up or down.

A good rookie season last season finishing 58 on the money list.

This has been a busy bunker on 14. Pressel doing her best to escape.

That is the best we have seen yet. A beautiful shot.

Meadow has found the tough stuff and it is tough out there. It is so

difficult to get any measure of control from that kind of stuff.

Looking back down the 16th, the tee shot way over there. This is coming

up to a skyline green. I think this is going to be a chop out and rely

on the short game to try to save par. A clutch of bunkers short. Do

not mess with them. And be very careful it does not turn the blade

over. Just taking her medicine. A bad half-hour. The Meadow. -- for

Stephanie Meadow. She has been playing so well since turning

professional. She finished third at the US women?s open.

Lexie Thompson, a couple over-par for the Championship. Winner of the

crafting of the, the first major of the year for the women. -- Kraft

Nabisco Championship. You can see coming out of the

semi-rough, very difficult to get any spin or control on the golf

ball. With a short flag you are usually going to end up a long way

from the flag. Very difficult to get the blade cleanly on to the back of

the ball without grass interfering. She should be able to generate some

spin. The flag is ten yards on here. Trying to nip it away. That is

better. It makes such a difference coming in from the fairway as

opposed to the semi-rough. Lots of you at home preferred the

semi-rough, a cushy life but it is more difficult to get close to the

flag. bogeys on the front nine, one

birdie. The chance for a birdie coming up at the 14th. Over to Web.

She has leaked it. She will be kicking herself. Such an

exhilarating tee shot off 13. Just glorious. Absolutely beautiful. A

fairly tough tee shot facing these players. Trouble up the right, the

rough is very thick. The left is better.

I think the marshals are allowing the galleries across.

The players waiting for people to go across the crossing point.

Stacy Lewis, after that beautiful birdie. The marshals are signalling

straight. Certainly years. -- certainly is. That is perfect. She

plays a fearless golf game. This is Michellle Wie at the 15th. Problems

off the tee Charley Hull should be perfect

there. They have to go right, define the pin from there. I think Hara

will be going left. She has to go a little left of the other two. She

looks happy as well. Bubbling up in great shape.

Kari Webb, with her third. 41 times a winner on the Tour. A legend. Down

the hill, left to right. Hold your line. Just sliding away. Gladys

played both Tours, European and American, now playing in Europe,

does not have any status in America any longer. On the 15th, in the

bunker. Having to face that steep... The sand blowing in her face. The

breeze has not been as big a factor as it was in practice. Quite stiff

yesterday morning. I watched Michelle practising a lot of her

stingers shots. I don't think she requires them with this weather.

Stefanie Meadow, back against the wall. Good stroke. Beautiful putt.

That showed some nerve and guts. A fighting four that 16. -- at

extreme. This round can be rescued, you can finish with a birdie,

birdie. That is exactly what she will be thinking. Lexi Thompson,

par. She has done a lot of work with Dave Stockton on her putting. Both

of her brothers are very good golfers, one plays on the PGA Tour.

They say when she was back home playing in Florida, the putting was

fine, under pressure it was failing her. She did some work last autumn,

making a huge difference. Now, almost a different player. That was

a beautiful putt. A player of her power will be

looking to eat up those final two holes.

112 yards to the front. 22 to the pin. Tucked away, right to left. Not

easy even with a fairly lofted iron. There is an interesting little half

glove. Attached to her sleeve. All the European players are out in

short sleeves, the Americans and Asian players have their underarm

on. -- under armour on. Cracking third shot, leaving a 20

footer, from the right. She has left herself a little bit of

work, Ken. Michelle not off to a great start in the Championship.

Stacy Lewis. Just 100 yards. The wind just dropping for a moment.

She's putting on a bit of a display. Covered in divot, Stacy

finding the funny side of it. Charley Hull. Just 89 for Charley

Hull. Better angle to come at the pin, so the textbook says.

Absolutely glorious shot. Kari Webb, at 17. Came out of the

bunker in three. Being not a bad run for the last 40 minutes or so. This

is Tiger Woods' needs. For a birdie at 14. -- Nice to delete niece.

Holly Clyburn, for a birdie. -- niece.

Back at the 16th. With the leader. Birdie the opening hole -- bogeyed

the opening hole. Birdie since then. Has had three victories in Japan,

starting to build her career on the LPGA. Third major of the year, a

couple more coming up. One coming up in Rochester. Then Evian

Championship France. A tricky one to read. Not for Michelle. One lone

birdie. He long birdie attempt. Across the green. -- a long. Just a

little quicker than she thought. Quite an elevated green this one.

The little bit of work left for her par. Kari Webb trying to remain at

1-over. My word, Peter. She must wonder what is going on. Was going

so nicely until the last couple of holes. Stacy Lewis. A very intense

competitor, Peter. She is, gives it her all.

The second group, in trouble. This part of the rough looks a bit wispy.

You need a little bit of good fortune. Consultations with her

cabbie, -- caddy, endlessly. Going on, and on, and on. Charley Hull, on

16, for a birdie. Representing the Woburn golf club. The open will be

going there in a few years, she is very excited about that. Always a

good venue, going back to Alex Hayes' days, our dearly missed

friend. And 16. Putt for a par. She is in again. Going along very neatly

and tidily. A very nice looking scorecard. Stacy Lewis tidying up

this par putt at 16. A winner in Arkansas a few weeks

ago. She went to university in Arkansas which was 20 miles away

from where they played the warm up Championship. A bustling part of the

world, the HQ of Walmart. Thompson, they've decided to do something.

Boy, that was thick. It has gone left into the junk.

That was tough. What do you think about the rough being longer this

year, do you like it? It is a Championship and I once discussed it

with a lady in high places suggesting when the wind was blowing

at Lytham Saint Anne is it might be more comfortable for the women to

play something like Sunningdale or Woburn. She said, we like

Championship courses. You have to put up with what is there. They are

playing it 1000 yards shorter. It is a tough test. The wind is

freshening. It could be quite gusty this afternoon.

Stacy Lewis... If you wonder why it takes so long to play, this is an

example, you will see it this week, decisions, decisions. I

straightforward driving hole, but they fact about. They look and

ponder and get books out of their pockets as checked the wind

direction and what we had for supper last night! What will uncle Charlie

do? They are waiting, we will forgive them on this occasion.

The approach to the 17th. Trying to get home into. -- in two.

This tee shot is all about the two bunkers on the right. 260 yards.

Quite a long way to get past. There are huge humps standing left of the

fairway. If you get it in there, it is not great at all. It sounded

nice. Ride through the middle. Lovely shot.

She will be taking a similar line stop in narrow fairway but the line

is pretty much exactly where Stacy Lewis?s ball finished.

She will be delighted at that. A bit of a run through the light rough. I

don't know how she did that. You would think it was an October date

with all of the kit she has got on. She is playing nicely.

Uehara... A totally different game she plays. A real contrast in style

and swing. Problems at the 16th for Michelle

Wii. That looked a tough lie. She had to

hack it out across the fairway. I walked if you holes in practice with

Michelle and she was hitting it so well. I'm surprised she struggled

today. She looked on top form with her coach. The birdie putt for

Morgan Pressel. For 3-under par. Second shot at the 18th for Holly

Clyburn. She started with two bogeys but eagled the 6th hole. Dropped a

shot on 11. A good chance to finish with a birdie or an eagle. It makes

it exciting. A slightly elevated green. Usually

played into the prevailing wind but not today. More crosswind. Steady.

The wind is trying the Greens out a little bit. Quite speedy.

Big enough for the harvest festival, that one.

You can get your own petrol bear! Pretty things, aren't they? Do you

like them or the wind farms? Real golfing country.

Holly Clyburn playing alongside Karrie Webb in the first group out

today. This for an eagle... This would be her second eagle of the

day. She finished second on the Italian

open. She is sixth on the European Tour Order of Merit. A good season

after a steady start here at Royal Birkdale.

The first player to post a score today.

A short one for Karrie Webb to finish for birdie.

A birdie to finish for the Australian. A bit disappointed.

The third birdie of the day for Lexie.

It is early days in the first round of the Open Championship. This is

how they stand. The first players are completing their round. It began

at 6:30am. The last players go off at 3:30pm. A long day for the

adjudicators and the people who run the event. And the wind is

freshening. Her caddy is her only professional

caddy. She worked with her father for a while. She hasn't worked with

any other professional caddy. That is just where you don't want

it. A nasty chip. That is horrid. Good crowds on the opening day. Just

perfect watching conditions. A slight chill in the air, a nice

breeze and lovely sunshine. It is a delight. You can almost see the

course drying out. Not the opening day she was hoping

for. At Pinehurst she played well also in Arkansas. She was in

contention heading into the final round. 60 yards for Uehara. She nips

that one beautifully, and very tidy golfer, not crash, bang wallop.

This should be fun to watch, one of the biggest hitters on the Tour, and

Lexi Thompson on 18. Such an advantage if you can get the driver

working. Not much run on that one. She has hit it hard. Playing with

Gladys. You don't see this tee used very often, making it into a slight

dogleg, left to right. Not good, here. It is a bit of tortoise and

hare. This is a bit of a hit and hope job. Do your best. Say a little

prayer. It came out quite easily. Still got a birdie putt. Press -- 's

more travel, up over the bunker. Nasty. What about this one, young

Tom, down, up, up. Nearly. Very well done. I have been watching Charley

she's quite fearless. She flew that one up very nicely, chance of a

four. I remember at the Solheim cup, when she beat Paula Creamer, she

says she hates it, finds it, it hit, just gets on with it, doesn't think

about it too much. She's not 19 yet, is she? Still a teenager. Here is

another very talented young player from Northern Ireland, Stefanie

Meadow. Not the day she was looking for, at 6-over. It got through OK.

There is the clubhouse. Built very controversially. Very modern. I've

played in my third or fourth Open Championship here in 1954. It had

housed a few amateur links before that. Stacy Lewis, birdie putt, that

could be all right. No. You could see it starts to go, little more

pace would have done it. I don't know why they took so long

to come here to play the Open. I heard one of the members, a former

captain in -- and chairman, he said he thought the club were asked years

ago, and they thought they weren't ready for it. That it was on the

agenda. That one sounded a bit heavy. Actually, straight enough.

Pretty much pin high for the Lexi Thompson -- pin high for. It is

pretty much a case of hitting the fairway, missing those bunkers.

Charley Hull, for a birdie at 17. I don't think I have seen the rough

much tougher than this week, and I have been coming here for many

years. Plenty of wickedness in the bottom. This is a hurried shot. --

horrid. You can see how it gets turned, and twisted over by the

rough. You can find yourself in this nightmare of marching back in a

cross from one patch to another. The person leading the Championship at

the moment. Birdie putt to go four under. Just a

little too high. You have to say, a chance missed.

Woods on 15. Just too high, hitting through the break.

A couple of birdies there. Really enjoying life on the professional

Tour, managing very well what some would see as the burden of her

surname. A famous uncle. She sees it as having many more advantages than

disadvantages will -- disadvantages. Just inside the right. Pushing it

off the blade. A very careless three putt by Woods.

Pressel, for shot at 16. She may get away with just the one dropped shot.

Back on 18. One of the most exciting young players in golf today. This

she turned professional when she was 15. -- she turned professional. This

is a similar position to where we saw Holly Clyburn, not that long

ago. Stacy Lewis been in one way off -- booming one away. You have to be

careful, we saw the bump and trundle, not too appetising in

there. Thompson, with a chance of a three. Good effort. Back on the tee,

Charley Hull. All about this bunker in the middle, left to right. Hull

definitely has the firepower, but she has hit that one right as well.

Out of bounds. Unlawful tee shot. -- that is unlawful tee shot. If a --

that is an awful tee shot. Another eagle putt. Only one eagle so far,

by Holly Clyburn at the 6th will stop you will see opportunities for

eagle at 18, nobody managing to bury one yet.

Activity. Uehara. -- back to the tee. Charley Hull having another go.

That was a pretty shocking first one from Charley Hull, 50 odd yards

right of way she should have been aiming. I think this is a better

attempt. Nocero leaving herself a difficult one, that is not what she

wanted. Could have been so much better. Michellle Wie. Second shot

at 17, a big drive. Well... I'm not sure why she did that. Lexi, closing

birdie, in she goes. Nice opening round of 72. Four, four finish,

always helps. Yes, the capacity for big changes in the final holes, that

is what is so exciting about this golf course. Stefanie Meadow in for

a closing birdie, that is a 77 for the Irishwoman. A tough day. Double

bogeys. That has hurt her very badly. Pressel. For a five at the

16th. Yes. A shot dropped. Awkward little shot. You almost had

to play a little left of the flag. 53 yards, very tricky. Why did she

lay up? She is playing a very defensive strategy. Extraordinary.

80 yards short of the green. She is getting closer, that is the good

news. You can see the leaderboard change a bit during the day. At the

moment, Uehara is on the top. She is on the 18th. Five players under-par.

A string of players on par. Perfect drive down the narrow part

of the fairway and she has been rewarded. A fine shot. So

interestingly different ways the players can plot their way around

here. Being a long hitter isn't such an advantage. The men who are

watching, you will learn more watching the women play golf. She

doesn't weigh more than eight stone and she times everything, keeping up

with the big guns. A clean pair of heels at the moment. This does not

look happy, knee deep stuff. It is not the place to be. You feel

an idiot because three quarters of England on the left-hand side and

the out of bounds fence and heavy rough down the right, so much room

on the left. I think you are right, it is a get

back into position, reasonable position, if you can on the fairway

to attack the flag with a third. This might not come out. She is

concerned. It looks daunting but behind the

ball it isn't too bad. She is wedging it out. That is all right.

An awkward flag position. She did not leave herself an easy shot at

all. It is turning into hard work for Michelle.

She is making it hard work. The wind is getting up a bit. The

wind is coming from not the usual direction. It usually comes from the

West, downwind at the 17th and 18th. There are far more undulation is on

the green that you can see on your screen. That is excellent. What a

super putt that is. Look at the beach, they do not come

much bigger than that. The tide goes out for miles. It is dangerous sand.

The breeze won't help her get into the flag.

And the wind is definitely rising. If it continues, it will be a

monster this afternoon. The big big names go out in the next 20 minutes

or so. It will be a different course.

Four shots played and hasn't reached the whole yet. Come on, Michelle.

Woods has lost her golf ball of the 16th tee.

Well done. That goes down as a par but she works hard for it.

She has done lately. That was the purpose. How do they do that? Some

of her best and worst shots on the same hole.

Amazing. Woods?s second attempt. You don't lose many balls these

days, water hazards of course. From a distance, she looks statuesque.

She has struggled so far this year, amazingly. She missed the cut in the

first two Majors and has missed three out of her last four cuts. She

did well last year. She is a player of note. And beginning to build a

very solid career. This Southport El will do her good, Maureen. Bracing.

-- air. It looks relatively straight. Quite

often putts move towards the back of the green. She has played some

lovely golf. Not put a foot wrong. We have seen from Pat -- some putts.

The ball runs dead straight. Well played. Not many ahead of you

come close of play tonight, my dear. She drove into the thick rough down

the right-hand side. Not to be. But after the tee shot

she is quite satisfied to record a par.

She will tap this one away for a 71. A tidy opening round by the

defending champion. Another three of those won't be too bad.

A bit of a roller-coaster round for Charley Hull. Double bogey, bogey

start. She managed to get it all back. But she has this for a closing

bogey which will give her a 73. Well done! What a gutsy finish. She

knocks it out of bounds and makes a birdie. The round book ended by D2

sixes. 73 is a fine result. That is how they stand at the

moment. Pressel with one of her numerous

rescue clubs. Urging it on. Behave! Oh, these bunkers are still

gathering. That is worse than if it had gone into the sand. That was

nearly a super shot. Woods, fifth shot.

She has found the heart of the 18th fairway. Quite a fearsome sight

because you see lots of bunkers everywhere and ups and hollows.

Sometimes you pick a window in the clubhouse and hit and hope. I am

sure they did do that but that is what I used to do!

A great strike of the ball. Likes to play with a draw. It will suit this

flag location, tucked in on the left by the bunker.

you get a decent live. Plenty of green to work with. 7-over par. Not

easy with this cross. Not more than a little push forward. Coming up,

yes. Come on, Morgan. She made a good contact, you run the risk of

having a poor life. -- lie. Michellle Wie. That was a fine

shot. Looks like the course is beginning to dry out a little bit.

Two putt from there, around in 73. A little bit untidy in places. This

has been a horrible run for Woods. Bogeyed 13. Bogeyed 14, bogeyed 15.

A triple on 16. Quite difficult to smile after that run. How do you

fancy a trip on one of those, Maureen? They were meant to operate

today. With it being so windy. Getting windier. Some famous people

live in that little block of land. One of those footballing chappies.

Looks like Wimbledon, all over again.

Anna Nordqvist has been moving along quite nicely. Level par. A couple

over going out, birdie in 11 and ten. A string of pars ever since. --

birdieing. She has had a good year, winning twice already. This will

need a little bit of pace and line. Diving from the left-hand side. Not

high enough. So hard to make yourself hit that putt high enough.

That is a dropped shot. A little unlucky to trickle through. Not a

badness. -- bad miss. This would change her day, a little chip. That

was very sweet, indeed. Getting a look at how the green shimmies from

left to right. Lots of subtle furrows. Absolutely beautiful.

Pressel's putt sliding past, not even sliding up to it. Only a par.

After that gorgeous shot over the bunker. She is such a feisty

competitor. Aggressive and outgoing. Do you remember when she first burst

on the scene? At the US Open. I think she played when she was 12.

Did you see the 11-year-old, Lucy Lee? We get older, they get younger.

I don't know how you can play at 11 in the Championship. She stopped two

78s. -- shot. Amazing. Now, this needs to be absolutely

dead straight. She put it out wide, a big swing. We have seen some

pretty well running straight. A lot of subtle little burrows. A bit of

subsidence. This one has a fair bit of slope,

impacting from the right-hand side. Fairly speedy. A good effort. We

have seen a lot of putts that had been struck well, just shading the

edge of the hole. Blue in Green will may be seen -- blue and green will

nair be seen. She needs this one to brighten her day. 78 it is.

I think probably if you get 74 or better, at the end of the day you

will not be too dissatisfied with things. This is a tough examination

that the women are facing this week at Royal Birkdale. A little tiddler

for Michellle Wie, for a birdie. 75. Well, that is over. Five bogeys. Two

birdies. 37, 38. That is how it is looking so far, UE

-- Uehara with a fine 68. A long way to go though. Congratulations, a

great start to the Championship, how comfortable did you feel on the golf

course? I had a good feeling with my putting, that is why I shot so low.

How difficult is it in these conditions? It was windy, but a lot

of weather is coming. I have two prepare -- I have to prepare. What

do you like about this Championship, this being a second

time? I am so happy to play this week. Right now, four under, three

more days, I am so excited right now. Keep going. Thank you.

Anna Nordqvist, a fine tee shot. You can see those flags at her back, the

wind is left to right. With this left-hand pin position, ideally you

want a little draw, landing 20 yards short, working its way onto the

green. That is a severe cut away. She may

be lucky enough to squeeze it past the bunker. Pressel pulling the

trigger on her second shot into 18. Never comfortable, backing off that

shot a couple of times. That is what you call short siding yourself.

Stacey, our defending champion, world number one, 1-under, how do

you rate that? It was a very good start, I would have taken it to

start the day. Under par at a major, on this course, a great score. How

different is this challenge of Royal Birkdale, compared to St Andrews

last year? This is the complete opposite. Hitting the fairways, the

centre of the greens, you have two think your way round. Not many

drivers. I only hit a handful. Long irons. A lot of windy conditions

last year, 12 months on, if the wind gets up, how testing will discourse

be? It will be very hard. Nobody is going super crazy, because of how

hard the courses. When it gets windy, like yesterday in practice,

it was pretty brutal. It will be hard, a good test, and I like

courses like that. Three wins already this season, the LPGA Tour

in America has gone from strength to strength, like American golfers are

retraining your Tour. Nine victories to date. We got beaten pretty badly

at the Solheim cup, it gave everybody motivation to play better.

A lot of camaraderie. We enjoy seeing the other girls play well. It

has been a great thing for winning's golf, all of the stars are

winning. Exciting times for you, and everybody else, thank you.

China in woods -- Cheyenne Woods, Tiger's niece. On a dreadful run.

7-over par. These players know they have been on

the right side of the draw today as the wind freshens. When you are

playing you feel you should be making hay while the sun shines.

Take advantage because tomorrow they will be out at a later time. They

were content with the wind when the tides change.

Too much sand. An awkward shot. Nasty shot. So much good work being

evaporated. A birdie putt for woods. Quite a

severe slope in front of her. A birdie chance on 17... A fast

putt, this. Watch how small her backswing is for this putt.

Lovely! How would you assess your first round? Apart from double bogey

on the first I played pretty well. I hit a terrible tee shot on the last.

I hit a great second shot and I had a good up-and-down, in the middle I

am happy. I was pretty solid. Book ended by not such great stuff but

this is a third appearance in the Championship, yet to make the cut.

How difficult is getting to grips with it? Definitely because we play

in amateur stuff but I didn't play much. It is getting used to it

visually because I like looking down and seeing the tight fairways but

here it is, you are not guessing, you are guessing where it is. I know

where the fairways are. It is visually different. You are coming

here as a big name in women's golf. How comfortable are you wearing that

hat? It is good. I have had a good season so far this year. It gave me

an insight as to what it is like to compete in a major. We are looking

forward to seeing you. Well done. Excellent stuff. We have seen her do

that so often. Great clutch putt. Level par 72.

There isn't much in this putt of Pressel. Might try to leak to her

right hand side. Well done. She escapes with a five.

Chances missed but damage limitation as well.

And the Japanese flag is still flying high at the top of the

leaderboard. Uehara hotly pursued by Pressel. You can see it as a tough

test. Only four players finished under-par so far. A long way to go.

Happy so far is Morgan Pressel. How did you do just the score? It was

OK. I had a good day. The conditions were the easiest we will have all

week, I assume. Especially starting this morning, hardly any wind. I got

off to a good start on the opening holes which were challenging. I was

a little disappointed in my last couple of holes. I will take to

underpar and it puts me in a good position. Three more days left. You

have a good memory from Royal Birkdale. You are getting closer and

closer because it was fourth at St Andrews, in the thick of the action.

Are you getting the hang of it? Definitely. It is interesting being

back at Royal Birkdale because last time I really did not enjoy playing

links golf. I shot an opening 77 and was ready to book my flight home. My

friend who I was staying with said get your head back on straight and

you can play tomorrow and I shot 65. OK, maybe I can play links golf!

That got me a new approach to playing St Andrews and the other

links courses. It is nice to be back. This is a story we hear so

often, Phil Mickelson won the open after years of trying. What is the

secret of links golf? I don't know if there is a secret. I try to adapt

my game plan, stay out of the bunkers, especially the fairway

bunkers. Not just the bunkers but the deep rough. I do not know if

there is a secret but you have to putt well and on greens that are

typically slower than those we play week in, week out and you have to

have creativity. I think I got frustrated when the golf course

would throw me bad bounces or weird lies. Now I embrace it more. It is

the fun of the game. You are now one of the more experienced players at

26 because there are so many young women coming on the Tour and you are

the living embodiment of a teenage phenomenon. The youngest woman to

win at 18. We are now seeing Lucy Lee and others, Lexi Thompson,

Michelle Wii, younger and younger. What is it about the game that

attracts more talent younger? It is the same in women's ten. It is

getting younger and younger. That is the way people are starting to get

better coaching. It is becoming more popular amongst kids. Lydia Ko is

the most impressive youngster out there. It has been fun to watch her.

I turned pro at 17 and played my rookie year on Tour as one of the

youngest out there and now I feel so old! I am only 26. Charley Hull,

Lexi and it is fun to watch them grow and go through all of the ups

and downs that we went through. You were a run up when you were a

teenager. You were an amateur at the time and suddenly what about your

nerves, at that age, fearless and on top of the world and nothing seems

to matter, how does your nerves now compare with then? I went through a

big learning process. I think that there were times, I was fearless at

17 with nothing to lose and suddenly I play for money and sponsorship and

other obligations and other things get in the way. And then it became

putting too much pressure on myself and the golf course so I have found

a happy balance. Not putting too much pressure on myself and going

out there and working hard. Will you still play at 50? I don't know!

Laura, Julie, I do not know if I have that in me but you never know.

That was the coolest thing about the US Open, we had Lucy Lee and others

playing in the same tournament. Golf is the any sport where that is

possible. That is what is special. Great start. Thank you so much for

joining us in the studio. You can go home and have a rest. A very long

day! We will concentrate on the women who teed off later in the day

and we start with Inbee Park and Angela Stanford. You might remember

a tennis champion, Jessica Korda is the daughter. 13 time winner in

Japan, accompanies Katrina Mathie. Paula Creamer making her 10th

appearance and Lydia Ko from New Zealand. Leading amateur twice

before. We have had some movement out there over the last little

while. Some of it has been from a former Curtis cup player for

America, a 24-year-old. This is a putt at the 18th. She joined Morgan

Pressel. She has had a great time. A good stab at things. And this got

us close indeed. She tapped it in. Her third shot. A round of 70.

The short 13th. Laura playing her 30th Rico British women's

Championship in a row. She has still got it. She had trouble making the

cut but a chance of being with us. Mo Martin, 30 yards out to putt.

That is her third shot. That really is stone dead, in for a birdie. Mo

Martin 3-under. A round of 69. Mo Martin one of the most accurate

drivers on the Tour. This is how it stands.

PETER ALISS: Hello, Hazel, what a lovely day it is. Everybody is

looking very bonny. The sun is shining. It was much easier this

morning for those who had to be here at 6:30 a.m., it was quite calm.

Amelia Lewis, this is an interesting girl. Level par, but that's very

good at this time of the day. with us over the next few days, one

of the things to look out for, look at the fashions. I know we are

talking about being all shapes and sizes, like the menfolk, but it does

fascinate me, the fashions. Style, elegance, so many so different.

MAUREEN MADILL: The still on course is Ken Brown. Flattering, very nice.

Three perfect tee shots. The breeze is helping, but it a tester. Ko, 17

years old. Amazing talent. Almost a veteran, Ken. Almost. You can see it

run out, it's a bit fast. She intends to finish her studies at

high school. She intends to do a bit of a Michelle Wie, combining that

with golf. Paula Creamer not having a very happy day. What's up with

her, Ken? She got off to a tough start. The first two are difficult.

I think Creamer must have had a call of nature or something.

You have to be careful you don't poke her eye out!

Just a little drill to make sure she keeps ahead still. She's doing it

less now. When she comes down from the top of the backswing to hit the

ball, she goes down to sniff at the ball. Cheese should do it far more

than she does now. Is this going to get the right

bounce? Here she comes. It has slowed up a bit. Good job, though.

A good crowd out there, Ken? It is well supported. Michelle Wie, plenty

out here this afternoon. Mark James, a former Ryder Cup captain

tournament winner and all-round good egg is with this match. Indeed.

She hit it 40 odd yards past the pin.

This is Matthews' birdie attempt. See, it's still going. It looked as

if that was going to be seven or eight feet short.

She's here for three. Quite inexplicable, this green seems to be

quickening up, because she's just over the back. A simple chip and it

just kept on going. This to save bogey on this hole.

Another player who started with an albatross around her neck, triple

bogey seven at the first. This one is going to come a little

bit of the right, doesn't it, Mark? It should do, Maureen. It faded a

bit down the hill. The wind is not affecting it hugely but the green

does tend to go that way. It's all about speed.

If you are going to go at that pace you've got to get the right line.

You've got to be so accurate. That is three consecutive bogeys for

Suzann Pettersson. If you are going to leave yourself a

22 footer, this is the one to leave on this green, uphill from the

front. Just a gentle rainbow right-to-left. A par four that

doesn't get many trees away. -- threes away.

She became a bit of a bit of big U-tube sensation when she holed a 75

foot eagle pat on the second play-off hole, to win in Singapore.

It was the most outrageous putt you ever saw. Up mountain and down dale.

She had the most brilliant reaction to it. Not surprising, because it

was her first win in four years, almost four years, which, for a

player of her calibre is quite difficult to believe.

Lydia Ko, turned professional in October last year. She's paid

something like 25 professional tournaments, a lot of them when she

was an amateur. She's yet to miss a cut in April event. Very impressive.

Two shots dropped to the two previous holes.

It sounded as if she got all the club on the ball. But there's a

plethora of bunkers there. Impressive, that colour. Visit

Hyacinth blue, cobalt blue? I'd call it turquoise.

The wind has kicked up a fair bit of this tee. If she gets two big ones

away... That's the perfect tee shot. The wind is right to left. It is,

pretty much 45 degrees. I like watching her play. I like

watching this girl play, too. Great posture. Good shot. Daughter

of Peter Korda, the tennis player who won one grand slam in his

career, the Australian open. Coincidentally, his daughter's first

professional victory was the Australian Open a couple of years

ago. Laura has had all sorts of problems

on this big 15th. Brough bunker out here.

A long, slow swing. A tremendous player. That might be nasty.

Paula Creamer debating on the club. The wind has changed, it is now

right to left and quartering against.

She has to be very accurate to get at the pin. It's one of these greens

that suckers you. If you hit the middle of the green, you are never

going to be more than 20 feet away. To get at this flag you've got to

cut it a bit and get a bit of spin on it.

Paula has the had the same caddy, manager and coach for all of her

professional career. Very unusual that. Must be doing a good job. Yes.

What's she got, Ken, a seven? A seven iron. Very tidy. Very nice

swing. Solid. Here's a former winner of the

Championship, Jiyai Shin. Won at Sunningdale in 2008. Just a little

high with that one. Inbee Park. One over. Another one of

those flags perched just on the front of the green. They don't make

it easy, the powers that be. Up the hill. The greens have been

running at a very nice pace. Chris Whittle and his team have got this

course in magnificent order. I really can't think of weapon I've

seen it better. Players just loving it. The quality of the putting

surfaces and the fairways is terrific.

Pettersen is waiting. Laura Davies is putting out. Up ahead Laura is

finishing off. Got away with it. If you are a fan of Laura's and you are

watching, these would give you the heebie-jeebies, but all is going

better in the world of Davies on the putting green at the moment.

244 pin. The wind is blowing well, so it is going to take everything

she's got to get it there. Ideally a chasy one. The cameraman is walking

across the front of the green. She's played anyway. Come round. No! That

might be horrid. It could be tucked in against the back bank. A good

strike. The ball seems to be lying cleanly

in the bunker. Didn't seem to have the depth of sand on it that she

expected. Now to 17. Lewis's second. That's a

good swing but the wrong direction. Mind those banks and humps. That's

horrible. I don't know what happened to her

bunker shot but it wasn't a good one. It looked to be lying OK. It

was not a good bunker shot. It was in a hanging line, which made it

awkward. But it wasn't a good one. Down the slope. Those greens are

quickening up a little. That went on a good three feet, Ken. It's not

only for a score. I have to think about what the that means on that

The club celebrated the 134rd anniversary last Saturday in the

Ricoh pavilion. 350 lebrated the 134rd anniversary last Saturday in

the Ricoh pavilion. 350 members - wives, boyfriends, girlfriends

turned up. A good time was had by all. Strong drink was taken. It all

ended up well. A delightful putting action.

APPLAUSE Lewis's third shot. Ball sitting up

high above her feet. Bunker in the way. Wind behind. No room. Not the

most attractive position to be in. We've seen one or two pretty good

shots, almost impossible shots, within five or six feet.

She's thumped it. It is scampering on, but can't do much about it. A

little Reg is helping it back a whisker. Two putts for a par. Do

much about it. A little Reg is helping it back a whisker. Two putts

for a par -- a little ridge. A real chance with the Pink Panther here.

Middle of the green, not chancing anything. It gives you a 25 footer.

Would have learnt about the break from Lydia

She's gone back to playing conventional style.

I wonder if switching around in the grips does anything to make her left

thumb feel more comfortable. We were mentioning earlier about the

strapping she has on her left hand. Thumb surgery in 2010 put her out of

the game for three months. Once you get an injury like that you are

always having to maintain its fitness and look after it. It has

flared up again recently. Well done. Three par-fives to come.

We'll be looking to pick up some shots. A relatively simple bunker

shot for Suzann Pettersen. She's been in three bunk bankers already

today and not got up and down once. Good sa here. Ot up and down once.

Good sand here. -- good sand here. The sand here is

used for making high-quality glass. I remember years ago they sold

tonnes of it. Just outside the right edge to save a three. Sorry, a four.

Well done. Lydia Ko tapping in for her three.

This final loop of holes at Royal Birkdale, three par-fives and a

par-four. Lewis, 17th for a birdie. This'll be a bonus if it goes in.

Well, never running at it, was it? Tap it in for a par. One hole left.

Level par. Four for 71. She needs something to happen pretty

quick in this round. Three par fives in the last four here. If she gets

this she'll be looking at making two more. That was a nice stroke. And an

interesting fact, one birdie and two bogeys. Not difficult to pick owl

Paula Creamer. Hold your head up... Did it sneak past the trap? Yes,

scampering down the fairway, Ken. Matthew for a par. An inexplicably

poor third shot and then a really good pitch. And a really good putt.

Went in at good pace. Lydia Ko gets a nice flight on her

tee shots. Nestled a little bit, but not too bad.

Welcome back, Tom. You've come at a good moment. The sun is shining. The

girls are in good form. It's been a delightful day hasn't it, Peter?

A dangerous bunker down the left. They are like magnets. Won't have to

look for that one. That's scampering down.

Second at the 16th for Jessica Korda.

APPLAUSE A good one.

Laura Davies alongside Korda. Still gives it a good old thump. Could be

in the sand. Nearly good. At the top of the leaderboard those

who are making the greatest impression is Jiyai Shin. 26 years

old. She won at Sunningdale and Hoylake a couple of years ago but a

record nine shots. She is no longer on the American tour. She's gone

back home. She's in the Far East and she wants to rediscover her passion

for the game, she said. Many years of grinding away on the tour and the

travel caught up with her. She sought a fresh start. Things appear

to be working for her, a popular member of the golfing fraternity.

The champion here in 2010, with a ten-over par 282. For Yani Tseng.

Let's see if things are improving for Laura. Not too bad. One

A nasty spot Laura found in the bunker, but behind on the tee

Pettersen. A familiar half-swing, a sort of a waggle and briskly into

the full swing. She's going to like that one.

Catriona Matthew. I don't think she'll get near Pettersen's. She's

dragged it a fraction. Stays out of the big stuff though.

Found a half decent line to second cut a semi, as it were. The rough

about five inches long, so the ball sitting OK. This hole has 15 bunkers

on it. I can see eight in front of her. Never an easy lay up here.

Looking back up the fairway from the green gives you an idea. She is

trying to nudge it down. She's got 262, if she hinted about 140... You

must avoid the bunkers and must find the fairway, otherwise you are

looking at six on the card. Could she do it with two seven irons, Ken?

Yes. She may do it with two eight irons, but two sevens is right.

A three quarters punch forward. That's a cagey layout. She's taken

the bunkers out of play. Very sensible.

Jessica Korda will be next to play. She's a very high hitter, it doesn't

always lend itself to links golf. She has a birdie putts here. She's

got it. Well done. A nice run of birdies there. Two par

fives to come, she's certainly able to get home in two.

Good strike. That long, slow swing, timing is all-important, rhythm. If

you get a bit hasty it goes off-line. The wind in from slightly

off the right here. Misses the rake. It's not for me to

say, but I don't know why they leave breaks outside bunkers. I don't

believe in it, but there we are. Could have ricocheted off that and

gone into the rough. Rakes should be in bunkers, in my opinion.

I don't know if your cameras can get a look at her ball, but she's got

the most detailed picture of well, it might be herself, painted onto

the ball. She have to stop to do that pretty early in the morning! I

think she's been a little greedy. Duffy Waldorf used to mark his ball

all sorts of colours. His children used to scribble all over them,

bizarre! Can she get it up there, Mark? She's

got a pretty gnarly line, to be honest. She will have to give it a

fair dig, but she can probably get it there. It's 105 yards, but it is

uphill into the breeze. She thumbed that way up into the

air. Good result. She's been a good player for so many

years. Steady, reliable. Lydia Ko at the 15th, her third

shot. I don't know what happened there.

With all the toing and froing, looking at the maps and at least one

club short... You see where that rate is there,

the ball coming down there, you'd be a bit cheesed off if that stopped

the ball going in a bunker. You are absolutely right, Peter. It's very

difficult to know what to do with rakes. Throw them in the bunker!

The powers that be don't think like we do. Probably that's a good thing!

85 to the pin for Pettersson. Sorry, 85 to the front, 95 to the

pin. Pretty simple wedge. Just watch how Miyazato plays, so

softly and gracefully. Delightfully played. You are a fan, Ken, I can

tell. Oh, I am! You are an old softy! She has more people following

her than Tiger Woods does. Speaking about the Japanese fans out

there, there's one of them. Oh, no, look at that club face, way

open. You always know when you are playing back into the breeze, a

bunker shot, you get sand in your face. Unlucky. Another foot and that

was stone dead. Very well played, difficult shot.

The bunkers here of every uniform. A lot of courses, even the best,

sometimes you find a spot in the bunker where there's hardly any

sand. But here it is pretty uniform and fairly deep. A good three or

four inches at least. Down the hill for Katrina Matthew.

This looks very slick. It's all about past. -- pace.

Perfect speed. Very easy to run them past four or five feet and missed

the one back. The 23-year-old American. The 17th

and 18th 18-hole both par fives. Short siding herself, though, Peter.

The flat is in an awkward spot. There are at least five or six flags

which are exceedingly difficult. Is that a birdie? It's putting straight

down a little valley on the green. She's ranked outside of the top 100

in putters on the Tour. She used to be one of the best putters on the

Tour, but it's just deserted her of late and she is really struggling.

The gremlins get into the mind, Peter, I suppose. They certainly do.

They do in all sports. Pettersson with this strange

movement, dropping that left shoulder. Tucked it towards the

whole and its on the right. Play was much easier for the first

four hours, maybe five hours this morning. They started here at 6:30am

and the last players went off at 3:30 p.m.. They've only just done

the first hole now. It's on the fairway, just in the

rough. Needs a few birdies at five over,

and there is one of them! A good finish for Paula. She may be a

little happier than she was midway through the round. A good chance to

finish with a flurry of birdies here. It makes it so exciting.

Anything can happen, certainly with the long rough. You get all sorts of

trouble, you can also make a couple of eagles.

After a most delightful little pitch from the front of the green, this is

for Ko's par. Very conscious of keeping her head

still. Well done. Lovely touch, lovely strike, rhythm. Slowly back

and then just type it through, body still. A very competent player, and

only 17. This is Shin at the 12th. She had

gone back to play in Asia, having spent the majority of her career on

the Tour in the United States, had a home in the Atlanta area of Georgia

but has now gone back to career. She's a very keen singer. She has

released a couple of albums where she sings. Really? Here is an Asti

one. Hand and arm shot if you can swing. Don't want any body movement.

Very vicious, but she got it out ten or 12 feet away.

We were at Tony Jacklin's 70th birthday party on Sunday at the

Belfry. He serenaded his wife and accompanied, when your old wedding

ring was new. He brought the house down. Jack Nicklaus and his wife

were there, Tommy Horton, a good time was had by all.

he's given that up. Tried it once, didn't like it. He thought he was

going to do a little speaking engagement, a little brown envelope

under the pillow, but it ended up costing him about ?25,000, so I

don't know if he's too happy about that. But it was a good night. Come

on then, Paula. This is quite a wide fairway, but you don't see it unless

you are about 8 feet tall. 16 into the breeze. Breeze. A generous

fairway. When you get one down it runs like a motorway. This is the

famous Arnold Palmer hole from 1960-61.

Lewis for a round of 71. There are a handful of American players who play

the European Tour and Amelia Lewis is one of those players. She's

certainly a worldly player. A little tap-in for 72. A good score.

In the last three or four years we've seen an influx of American and

European women. The dominance of the Korean women, they've moved aside.

It is interesting over the years how the balances swing and sway. Lydia

Ko at the 16th. That was a nice one, nearly in Arnold Palmer land. Took a

six iron and crashed it out. Almost an unplayable line on to the green.

Green. They a little plaque there. Miyazato. To the green. They a

little plaque there. Miyazato. -- put a little there.

Plaque there. One of her brothers played in the US Open.

Here's how things stand on the opening day of the Ricoh Women's

British Open. Uehara leads the way. Talked to Mo a while ago and she

loves this course. She said as soon as I saw Royal Birkdale, I

appreciated it. A wonderful layout. Stacey Lewis from the United States,

world number 1. She's lurking on that first page.

There'll with high hopes for Charley Hull. There'll with high hopes for

Charley Hull. - there'll be. Korda could get it to run up on to

the green. But you have got to hit it straight.

That's that awkward shot over the sand. Not a good side.

Laura a little wayward off the tee. This is her third shot. Into the

bunker. The big numbers have really hurt Laura over the last few years.

She's played well for 16 holes and had a couple of really big numbers.

She's always played that sort of game. Some people might think she's

not fulfilled her real potential. Others would say what a wonderful

career she's had, which indeed she has. She hasn't won many majors,

which always intrigued me. Pettersen now. 250 yards over the left hand

hump. 260 to the right bunkers. She'll be looking at somewhere

between those two. It is a fraction off the left. She really ripped

that. She does drive the ball beautifully

and powerfully. Not a big woman but she punches her weight. A beautiful

drive. Plenty long enough to get up this

par-five. Could do with a couple of which fours to gh to get up this

par-five. Could do with a couple of which fours to finish. -- couple of

fours to finish. Good shot from Lydia. She won the

swimming skirts LPGA classic event. Event: Can anyone play? A Scotsman

in a kilt. Could he get away with it? I suppose not.

She doesn't like it. It is not too bad, Paula. Better there than that

much the other side. Did I read somewhere she was going

to marry a famous... Let's watch this first. This is horrid.

Unlucky. That was a great out from there to there. Creamer was going to

get married to a famous baseball player, did that ever happen, Tom?

She's engaged to a fellow in the Air Force. It might be news to him if

she's getting married to a famous baseball player! I'm not good at

reading. Miyazato, follow that one in. That's

It is only for a score. Haven't worked that one out. Creamer got

engaged Peter. Her fiance took her up in an aeroplane and she thought

they were going to go skydiving. They jumped out of the plane and his

friends had go skydiving. They jumped out of the plane and his

friends had written, "Will you marry me?" On the ground. She did have a

parachute didn't she? That would be the end of a beautiful friendship.

Sorry, darling, I was so busy thinking it up I forget to get the

kit for you! Laura. Laura received her notification that

she was going to become a Dame. She thought it was an invitation to go

to the Royal Box at Wimbledon. She opened it up and suddenly she was

going to become a Dame. She was told not to tell anybody but she

immediately called her brother. A very special honour.

That might not have been the greatest strike but parents working

well. It is coming along. Just to the edge. Wind farms. I'm not a fan,

I must say. They're no good when there's no wind and they are no good

when they are too much wind, and they cost a fortune. But what I do

know. Ordinary for a birdie -- Korda for a

birdie. Drifting away. APPLAUSE We were just talking about

her and she does it again. Good girl. That's more like it. Two more

fours and you are back in the frame. A little unlucky, Miyazato. Didn't

quite carry. Another couple of yards and it would have skidded up to the

flag. You are putting up the hill. All I can see is butterflies

flitting by. The crickets are chirruping. It is a delightful day

to be out here. If you look closely, Ken, you might find a natterjack

toad! Or a sand lizard. Laura Davies for a bogey at the

17th. Is it only going to be one shot? Yes!

200 yards to the front for Catriona Matthew. The pin is on 15. The

problem here is threading a needle or hitting it high enough to hit the

trap. She's hit it pretty high. That's a gorgeous shot.

APPLAUSE. The gorgeous Maureen mad ill has

joined us in the box. MAUREEN MADILL: A lovely shot from Catriona

Matthew. Beautifully controlled. A soft landing into this notoriously

difficult 17th green. Oh, she skipped over that bunker on

the left. That's the big danger, that's what Bush are so many players

to the right. Two good shots, 516 yards, this par five.

Brittany Lang to foolish off with a birdie. -- to finish off with a

birdie. STUDIO: A quick reminder of the

situation on this opening day. Morgan Pressel in that group on two

under par, the headline attraction in that one. Holly Clyburn is the

leading Briton so far. Lexi Thompson, the winner of the first

major of the year. Level par. No laws also. She is just completing

her round, level par. Emma Talley is the reigning US

amateur champion. Making her presence felt in the race for the

Smith sober salver, that the prize on offer for the leading amateur.

Georgia Hall also in that race, from England. She's had a 73 today.

Suzann Pettersson, two-time major winner completing her round. All in

pink today. 28 different nationalities

represented in all in this 144 strong field. It really is one of

the big events in the women's game. If you can find the fairway and get

a good one way, this green reachable in two. Very impressive. Beautiful

pace of swing from Lydia Ko. The rhythm never alters. A couple of

bunkers down there on the right-hand side, about 200 and yards out. She

has just nestled up past those. Interesting, this course. If you

played the wind -- the way the wind blows, two of the par fives seem to

be in it. The 17th and 18th, you generally have a bit of helping

breeze. It would be nice to finish these last two holes in nine shots

and no more. The par fives at Royal but they love

very tempting. They do tees you into shots, searching for birdies and

even eagles. But if you've just got too greedy, you can run up a big

number quite easily. Just a little high. Two beautiful

shots to the heart of that green. That's her second birdie of the day.

Birdie at the 10th. It gives you a bit of a spring in your step to

tackle one final hole today. Georgia Hall made an eagle here in a

round of 73. I wonder what happened there. Maybe

the ball moved. I think she may have addressed it, Maureen. Well, from

this angle it is hard to tell what happened, but she thinks something

has happened. She's certainly not happy. She

certainly hasn't moved her feet since what ever it was happened.

It's going to be one of those impossible situations. Nobody knew

the ball except the player. If it moves, it is a shot penalty and

replace the ball. It looks like she is sending for a ruling.

A rules official has been called. That is very off-putting. You are

over an eagle putt, she is trying to get herself on the recovery trail.

There's a bit of guesswork, but it looks like she's put the putter

behind the ball and the ball has moved, she thinks it has moved. If

there's a lot of doubt and they can't determine whether it has

moved, then she will just carry on. But if it definitely has moved, she

will have to replace it before continuing to putt. We are waiting

for a ruling on this 17th green. There's an official looking chap

approaching. No, he was bluffing. No, he's just got a tie on.

I don't know exactly what's round the corner.

There are plenty of rules officials out there, but the way the golf

course is laid out at the mound, it's not easy to see them.

There's a bit of a holding pattern on the 17th. It's one of those

things, it has still got to be her decision as to what happened. Nobody

else will have seen it. A rules official, who is going to be

summonsed from the other side of the court, is not going to be able to

say anything. We've no video evidence because we were on a camera

at her back. Mark has got it spot on. The rules official is flying up

the fairway in a buggy. It will be interesting to hear the

conversation if we can. There was once a European Tour official

referee. He told me that his day was spent with hours of waiting for

moments of terror. Especially when there's a microphone put in front of

your I was almost ready to go and I could

almost feel the ball moving. I don't know what caused it.

I don't even know how much it moved. Which direction did it move?

She was saying she took the putter back and then the ball moved. I

think she was asking the official if the wind had moved the ball, whether

there would be a penalty, but it didn't look like the official was

going to go down that route. Well, here we go again. I suspect this is

a birdie putt now, not an eagle putt. She's not wasting much time.

Well, how is that for focus? What a recovery by Pettersson there. That

is confirmed as a birdie four for Pettersson. She did have a shot

penalty. I asked yesterday what the B stands

for on her sweater, but her clothing sponsor apparently made her some

sweaters with the letter on the front as part of a particular line.

She didn't really seem to know why it was so prominent. She went back

to Korea last week. She likes to go west when she travels, so she went

from the United States to career for a couple of days and headed further

round the world to England. Davies, from the ideal angle on 18.

Coming in from the left side. Come on! Steady.

Laura still able to hit shots at four.

Really fighting six she made at the last. If she could tiptoe this one

in, she'd be in good shape. Paula Creamer, the ball above her

feet but it is certainly in range, the breeze helping.

Paula trying to finish with a flurry of birdies, but it's been difficult.

I'm not sure where it has finished, a lot of thick rough over there.

Paula Creamer avoided the trap. She wants a reasonable live there.

Miyazato, nice, flat life. Can she read it through the gap? --

thread it. No, she can't. She has a bit of work to do on the short game

here. Both for Miyazato and Creamer. From Kanawa. Miyazato, another

famous Japanese player, also from Kanawa, but they are not related.

MAUREEN MADILL: Laura Davies' group has reached the final green. Jessica

Korda will be first to go. of form this year. Steady. Last year

was one of Jessica's most consistent. She didn't miss a cut

all year. She's had three or four miscuts already this year but two

victories. Lydia Ko at the 17th. A lovely

approach. Good birdie chance coming up. Looking very promising in this

week. Goes about her business. Not a care in the world. 17 years of age

travelling the world playing golf. An eagle putt for Laura. Instead of

turning right to left it took a little shunt left to right.

Take your time, Laura. This for a 75.

Well done. APPLAUSE

you can't win it on day one but you can certainly put yourself right out

of it. I don't think Laura will be too displeased with that. All you

can do from here is get it out really. Right up against the lip, it

was. A very awkward spot. Tight right.

Not a bad angle. A bit of an upslope. If she pitches this just on

the front or short of the green, it will come out the topspin. May get

inside 6-8 feet. APPLAUSE

Very well played by Creamer. She was a touch lucky to miss that bunker on

the left. That's the real killer on this hole. You've got a 50-50 chance

on the left of getting a semi decent lie. At the 18th awaiting in the

fairway Catriona Matthew. Waiting for Jessica Korda to finish off.

This for 72. Jessica Korda went out in 39, a horrible start. Double

bogeyed the first and the second and the fifth hole but bounced right

back. Four birdies in the last nine holes. It is a 72 72: Wall of death.

Super. A good angle into the heart of the

green for Matthew. Pushed it a fraction. It runs away off the back

of this green. Although that might look flat on your screen, she's

coming up a significant rise on to the putting surface. She'll have to

come across a spine that runs through the green.

She's got plenty of green to work with. Tremendous galleries here on

the opening day. Folks coming out to enjoy the golf.

This is an awkward spot, tucked behind the right trap. She's a very

determined player, Paula Creamer, and she is very loyal. Only ever had

one caddy, one sponsor, one ball sponsor and one management company

since she turned professional. That's quite unusual.

Needed a fraction more. A big tee shot from Pettersen. Doesn't look

anything more than a five iron going in here.

She's got to hope that's run off the corner of the bunker and settled in

the centre of it. You can get some very walk ward stances in there.

Back at the 17th, Lydia Ko may have learned something from Paula

Creamer. They were on a similar line. It is very awkward green,

this. Not quite as undulating as it was in the 2008 Open Championship

when Harrington successfully defended.

Back to back birdies. This is going to be a par if she knocks this one

in. OK. Still in secondary school,

although she lives about 6,000 miles from the school that she attends.

She does a lot of work on the computer, trying to complete her

schooling. Lydia is alongside Stacey Lewis. One-under par.

Mika Miyazato. At level par. Nice touch from Miyazato.

For a player who is struggling, Maureen, putting together a good

number on a difficult course like this will give her confidence. If

she could finish with a birdie. Yes, a lot of people forget she was world

number one four years ago. She's a classy player.

Catriona from the back of this green. Let's see what club she has

in her hands. One of her lofted ones. Up over the bumps and hollows

but not enough. Another awkward stance here for

Suzann. Got to be the easiest hole on the

course today. A par-five down the breeze. Just avoid the bunkers.

Ta two. That's out on four, so she regrouped after the personality shot

on the last green. She rolled in a very good putt. Now she's going to

have to regroup just to hold this one for par. Mental focus is all

important now. Lydia Ko looking a little concerned.

Just down the right side. Shiho Ohyama. Quickly back to the

tee for Miyazato. Just staying in the shorter grass.

Back to the green at 18. Oh, look at that!

APPLAUSE A good indication of the way the

ball turns at the hole there Maureen. Yes, I think Catriona

Matthew will be coming from the same side. Ohyama finishing her round in

a flurry of fives. If she knocks that in for a par it will be her

sixth consecutive five to finish. A good time to welcome back Peter

Alliss. PETER ALLISS: Thank you Tom. Let's look at the scores at the

bottom of your screen. Anything 74 and under is very good. Less than 16

players have broken at par or better so far. It hasn't been the easiest

of days, although this morning it was a lot easier than it is now.

Catriona Matthew. Not played a very good chip. An

untidy three from the edge. Pity. It was a well-stuck second shot. Just

went through the back. You can't afford to relax here at Royal

Birkdale. Suzann Pettersen. A few ups and

downs over the last 45 minutes. MAUREEN MADILL: I think you said

Peter, you Captain afford to relax your concentration one I oat to. L:

I think you said Peter, you Captain afford to relax your concentration

one I oat to -- one iota. The course can jump up and bite you at any

point. Even par-fives, Suzann is going to have to graft hard not to

drop a shot. Ko found the central bunker and has

splashed out, waiting for Creamer, she's got a signed right between her

and the green. It is supposed to be removable. It doesn't look very

removable to me. MAUREEN MADILL: And uncomfortable

round for her today of 80. 74 for Katrina Matthew and a brave 72 for

Suzann Pettersson. I have to say, I'm not surprised

that this is happening. A few of those signs were fairly adjacent to

the fairways and some of the lines the players will be taking.

PETER ALISS: Who said it wasn't windy? There's no sense of urgency,

you take your time. The winner of the US Open a couple

of times in the background there. Can you take me through the process?

Popping it in the thick stuff, by the look of it. That's not so canny.

In my be best to leave it where it is.

I thought the signs were all movable obstructions. Obviously this one

isn't. You've got to find the nearest point of relief. Then

dropped within one club length of that, or play it, because he could

drop it in a dodgy life. She doesn't have to take relief. This seems to

me to be a bit silly, if she dropped it from there.

PETER ALISS: doesn't make a lot of sense to me. She does have a low

flight. I would have thought she could have rattled one over the top

of their no bother. 235 yards, if she can get some sort

of hybrid she can flip it over the top of that no problem at all. You

couldn't shift this on your own, Ken.

I didn't know it was an option, get it out of the way or drop round it.

Anyway. Another example of why it takes five or six hours to get round

a golf course. You couldn't say she was too far off

the fairway, Peter. The ingenuity of humanity is

fantastic. Who would have thought of that! The key thing here for Paula,

if she's going to miss it, is to the right. She doesn't want to end up in

a bunker, 60 or 70 yards from the green. She shouldn't do that.

It looks like she's going to lay out after all. Looks a bit loft on this

club. She's going to flip it over the top with a middle iron. Much ado

about nothing there. I thought she was going to whip out the three or

four wooden and give it a crack, but no! This is not easy, those bunkers

right in play. She played nicely down into the

bunkers. This is the US amateur champion,

Emma Talley. Building a very nice score.

College mate of Stefanie Michl, attends the University of Alabama.

She can barely see the top of the flag. She is not the tallest of

glasses. She found a nice line in the first cut of rough.

The wind behind, hard turf and she doesn't hit it that high.

A bit tight on there. The wind has dropped a bit, Ken. Just ease off a

bit. It has. Maybe the late starters could have a good part of the day,

like the early starters. It's been pretty steady all this afternoon,

probably from about midday. It was very calm until 11 a.m..

Missed the bunker. Is she in the bunker? It was never going to quite

make it. That might not be too bad. MAUREEN MADILL: Shin, along with

Emma Talley, the group on 15. A nice little putt.

PETER ALISS: Port -- Paula Creamer lining up this shot of hers. Dame

Laura Davies wants to eliminate a lot of the caddy's duties.

She also wants to eliminate her ever having to take more than a second

putt. That's on a technicality, of course.

The crestfallen shoulders of Paula. Well, it's on the green. I've seen

worse. Good, strong swing. Excellent stuff.

I'm not quite sure that looks as if it's over near Arnold Palmer's

plaque there. Emma Talley played top in the singles for the United States

in the Curtis cup back row cop. Alongside her is Shin. Two-time

winner of this Championship. In fact, her win in 2008 pretty much

launched her career. Enabled her to go and play in America.

Here is a little trick. It looked like she was lining up to chip this

to the right of the bunker and use the ground, get it up five or six

feet right to the pin. She's going to try and switch back through the

little valley. Remember Seve Ballesteros, that shot

between the trap speeder? That has not gone far. Still in big

trouble. Found a nice lie on the upslope. You

need a delicate touch. That was a little bit sharp,

Maureen. Too much club on ball. Yes, she could hear that actually. She

was champion ten years ago, when she had that magnificent start at

Sunningdale. That was unbelievable. She's got her husband, Bobby, on the

bag again this week, that's a very rare occurrence now. She has pretty

much retired from playing. Has she? Yes, she's building a broadcasting

career in the States. This is the last year her exemption for the open

Championships. No, you clean it, she says. That's what I pay you for! If

she does get into broadcasting and follows in the footsteps of Judy

ranking -- Rankin, since she retired from playing tournament golf, lovely

lady. Judy Rankin in the commentary box this weekend, I believe. She

will be here, all of our friends from America.

We haven't seen many putts hold on this final green today. We haven't

seen any hold altogether, have we? Subtle breaks plus a bit of speed in

them. If you look at her putting stroke, this is a beauty.

It was always drifting off. It looks like a par to finish. A round of 71.

It's OK. She's been in a dog fight all day.

Starting four-over par after three holes. Now she's three over after

17. One final chance of a birdie. She never stops fighting.

The grandstands are practically full. A few people are dangling out

of the hospitality. Is that a good sign? Oh, I thought she had done it

again. APPLAUSE

They'll be back in a few weeks at Evan. Will you be going there,

Maureen? I won't be there but it is the most beautiful spot in the

world. And they've improved the course very much over the years. And

in keeping with it now being a mainly Championship the women have

five majors to play for. Come on, make uncle Ken happy. Tap this one

in. No. It's been that type of day for Miyazato. She is such a big name

in Japan. Any score is better than 74 today.

You are still right in it. Absolutely.

A 5-6 finish for Lydia Ko, which is not good. Both holes reachable in

two. 75 for Paula Creamer. Certainly not

out of it. That's very good after that start. One par and four drop

shots. There it is, I was here on that fateful day, when he smashed

one out of the bulrushes on the 16th. He managed to get it on the

green. It was grey and dark, a bit of rain. Arnold was already on his

second packet of cigarettes by the time we reached the 16th.

And a final par for Miyazato. 72. Fine play indeed. Caddies get a hug.

You wouldn't hug many caddies in my day. Had a whiff of the countryside

about them. Interlocking group. I've noticed one

or two women useling that trip. Em. -- using that trip. Oh, into the

bunker. I was disappointed there was very little coverage of the Curtis

Cup in the newspapers. Newspaper coverage of women's golf seems to

have dried up considerably. It is all digital media now Peter.

A good shot from Jiyai Shin. Splendid shot. Enormously successful

players and they just drift away from the top. Another look at

Arnold's plaque, July 1961. Wasn't the green sited further back at that

time? No, in the same place. 17 for the par 3. They've moved that

and put in the it'sth. 17 for the par 3. They've moved that and put in

the it'sth -- 12th. The college sect in America is very strong indeed.

These young players get on to their Curtis Cup team and seem to be able

seamlessly to transition to the professional game. They play to a

very high Stade e professional game. They play to a very high Stade

there. -- standard there. I've mentioned before it was Swedes

originally, then Koreans and Japanese, Thais. And now the

pendulum has swung again and the same with European women that come

and go. There's quite an international board there. Five

different nationalities. You are right, the American players have

really come on. They put it down to getting hammered in the Solheim Cup

in Colorado. They say it gave them a huge reality check. The Asian women

were taking all the honours there. From five years back there were

hardly any American women worth their salt at all. During the alt at

all. During the summer -- enjoying the summer sunshine.

A very friendly club, Royal Birkdale. There are about 150 lady

members. A lot of young women play. Don't ask me why. They love their

golf. Blue skies. Lovely to see. Let's

hope it stays for another ten or 12 days. I would like to go to Hoylake

with some sunshine away. Keep away Mr Rehn clouds. -- keep away, rain

This will move a little left to right.

Too high. It just seemed to pull a fraction off the blade. That was a

great opportunity missed. Interesting that Jiyai has gone back

to Korea. Sounds like it was a mini burnout. Korean players work so hard

that they can only sustain it for a number of years. Then they need to

take a break. This for a six. It disappeared. Talley for par. That

was a bold putt of youth wasn't it? Talley.

How old is this girl then? 19, 20? I think she's 20-21. Looks a wonderful

prospect for the future. The afternoon of this first day of the

Ricoh Women's British Open Championship, still a good hours

left of play. It is Uehara of Japan with the one-shot lead. At the

moment only eight women are-under par. This Royal Birkdale proving

very challenging so far. Karrie Webb at level par. Four shots behind. The

likes of Nordqvist, a double winner on the LPG, steady. Lydia Ko

finished off with a 72. Emma Talley in the leading stakes. If we whizz

straight through past the likes of Jiyai Shin and Sharp of Canada you

will see shortly the name of which Laura Davies. Laura came home with a

three-over par round of which 75 today. The newly made Dame has been

chatting to me. I was somewhat star struck by the whole thing. And with

me is Dame Laura Davies. I'm going to say that again, Dame Laura

Davies. I like saying it. Do you like hearing it? I do yes, it is

nice. You never expect something like that but it is the pinnacle of

my career. It has given all my mates to take the Nicky but what an

honour. Has there been lots of curtsying and curling? Yes, they are

doing that. People have always been kind to me when I play golf in this

country. There was a cheer on the fairway. I told the starter not me

when I play golf in this country. There was a cheer on the fairway. I

told the starter not to say "Dame" but he did. This is an event you

have a wonderful affiliation with, 30 years and going strong. I played

much better than 3 over. I had problems on 16 and 17. Not even that

bad a shot. I thought I hit a perfect drive down 17 and I'm in

neck high rough, making a really good bogey. I nearly went in

apparently but the birdie was a nice way then if. If we can shoot a

couple in the early round, get back into contention. I feel like my game

as good. Good. We haven't seen you at the weekend since 2010, but this

is clearly a course you have a wonderful affinity with having won

here in '86. I think it is the fairest of the links courses. If you

hit a good shot you are in a good spot. Some of them you can fundle

into the bunksers and you are chipping out backwards. This one, if

you hit the good shots you get rewarded. Good to see you, thank

you. Thank you. She's still the same old Laura. That's a very good thing.

This is the start of almost two weeks-worth of top golfing action on

the BBC. Next week we are heading 28 miles south of Liverpool to the

other side of Merseyside, Hoylake, Royal Liverpool. That's for the

143rd open Championship. A great stretch of coastline this.

Where we see a magnificent landscape, they see hostile terrain.

The magic of the Open starts 17th July across the BBC. One week today.

Two weeks worth of great golf on the BBC is well under way. We'll be back

tomorrow on BBC Two at 1 o'clock with day two of this great

Championship the other side of Liverpool. Hope to catch you then.

Bye-bye for now. MUSIC: "Edward Scissorhands

Introduction" by Danny Elfman