Women's British Open:The world's best female players will step into the great unknown today when the Women's British Open tees off at the Old Course in St Andrews for the first time, but one player will embark on the game's most historic, and quirky, challenge with a unique advantage over her competitors.
Annika Sorenstam no longer dominates the women's game as she did a couple of years ago, when her arrival on the tournament premises was a signal for the trophy engraver to start work, but she begins today's first round as one of the tournament favourites, not least because she arrived in Scotland armed with Tiger Woods' Old Course yardage book.
Woods, it hardly needs to be said, is something of an expert when it comes to navigating a path around the Home of Golf. He has twice won the British Open at St Andrews, in 2000, when he famously played four rounds without finding a bunker, and again in 2005, when he finished five shots ahead of the field. He and Sorenstam are good friends who share the same agent and live close to each other in Florida.
"We spoke in Orlando a few weeks ago and he said, 'You know, I have a yardage book, would you like to use it?' " said the Swede, who has won 10 major championships against Woods' 12.
The yardage book is covered in the world number one's personal notes written during his victories and offer an invaluable insight into what is required to win.
"Hit it long and practise long putting. Long putting is the key," she said when asked what Woods' main advice had been.
Sorenstam has spent much of the year battling back problems. Like Woods, she is without a major victory this year. Unlike Woods, who has maintained his place at the top of the world rankings, she has slipped down to number three.
Her sixth-place finish at last weekend's Evian Masters in France was her best performance since March. "It had been a while since I was in contention and I have to admit I was a bit nervous, but that's the feeling I love," she said. "I'm totally pain-free, but my strength is not back."
Whisper it, especially in the hallowed cathedral of golf, but Sorenstam's travails are great news for the likes of the Mexican Lorena Ochea, who has replaced her at the top of the world rankings, and for Britain's Laura Davies, who yesterday described the Old Course as "probably the best I have ever seen".
But if the Englishwoman was impressed by the golf course, she was underwhelmed by the munificence of the all-male R&A, which is allowing the competitors to use its clubhouse for the week. Davies will be changing her shoes in the car park. "I've never been hung up on that discrimination nonsense. If they don't want me in their club, then I don't want to go anywhere I'm not wanted."
There are two Irish women in the field, amateur Danielle McVeigh from Royal Co Down Ladies, who qualified through a play-off this week, and Rebecca Coakley.
