Park not feeling pressure on eve of British Open

Korea's World No.1 Park Inbee was playing down her chances on the eve of the Women's British Open.

"Last week I didn't play well (she finished tied 47th at a tournament in Michigan)," she said.

"I probably had my worst rounds of the year so I feel very little pressure.

"It was crazy two years ago when I had won the first three majors and was going for the Grand Slam. But I come into this week with no expectations."

Park won a third successive major at the LPGA Championship last month, but her recent form has also been afflicted by a sore back and she has been working with a physiotherapist since arriving in Scotland on Monday.

"Yesterday I had a bit of a back spasm and it was hard to bend down," said the 27-year-old six-time major winner.

"So I just tried to stretch out and relax. The physio travels with me every week."

But despite her pessimistic outlook, Park had nothing but plaudits for the Turnberry course.

"This is a very special venue. We play a lot of good golf courses, but this is one of the best," she claimed.

"Today the sun was out and we had some lovely views and it’s a great place to be in beautiful conditions.

"But I also played on Monday when it was a bit windier. So much is going to depend on the weather. But I've played it in two different conditions so I feel I'm ready."

As the World No.1, Park is in pole position to represent South Korea at next year’s Olympic Games in Rio. But she is already feeling sorry for her compatriots.

The world's top 15 will be automatically selected, but no more than four from one country. At present, there are seven South Koreans on the list.

"If you are in the world's top 50 you should be able to lay in the Olympics," she suggested.

"I'd feel bad if I just missed out because there were so many Koreans ahead of me.

"But winning the Olympic gold medal would be right up there with the Grand Slam. I want t represent my country. It's just a dream come true."

American Lexi Thompson won the Meijer LPGA Classic in Michigan on Sunday.
It was the 20-year-old's first victory since winning the 2014 major, the Kraft Nabisco Championship, and the perfect boost for the challenge ahead.

"This is my fourth British Open and coming off last week I've got a lot of confidence," said the Solheim Cup player.

"This is an amazing golf course."

Charley Hull is the top British player at No.48 in the world and is hoping that there will be a repeat of her experience when aged just nine she won a club event at Turnberry.

"It was ten years ago and I remember it was so windy I got blown over at the tenth and 11th," she recalled.

"There were 24,000 entries from British clubs and I won in a play-off against a 35-year-old."
Source: AFP