Women's British Open, St. Andrews

I’m really sorry to be missing the last day of the championship as we’re off on holiday. So far it’s been a fascinating contest, particularly on Day 2 when a Scot – Catriona Matthew, put in a great challenge, finishing 5 under. Sadly today she slumped completely and it looks like Ochoa will be unstoppable. Still, on a windy day when no one looked glamorous, Matthew did have the prettiest lavender polo I have ever seen (sadly can’t find a photo that shows it).
Catriona is now based in the States, and her husband is usually her caddie. Interesting how these family caddie things work out; Luke Donald’s brother caddies for him and then there was the strange case of Graeme Storm. I like the husband/wife idea. Who’ll be first to reverse the picture – wife caddying for husband?

The championship has also prompted an interesting discussion on the BBC blog about attitudes to golf in the R&A and at St. Andrews – not, apparently, to be confused (make sure you read the comments!) Good luck to all the girls tomorrow, and hope that devilish wind drops.

St. Andrews - where I used to live

I’m ashamed to say I’m not too well up on the women’s tour, partly because there isn’t much T.V. coverage in this country. But this week it’s different. The girls are on show at St. Andrews in the Women’s British Open. St. Andrews is dear to my heart because I lived there for four years as a student, and even though I wasn’t playing or following golf it was a great time in my life and there’s nothing MOH and I like to do better than watch them play up the eighteenth, towards that ugly red hotel, formerly the student residence where I used to live!
Last year we went back on a sentimental journey and had our photo taken on the Swilken Bridge. Sadly I can’t find that picture, but there are lots of great views on the St. Andrews Links Trust site. Here’s another from flickr with my old room marked. What you might call a room with a view!

Photo by Herman on flickr