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Women’s British Open: So Yeon Ryu and Lexi Thompson ready to battle

By Elizabeth Bethel

KINGSBARNS, SCOTLAND - AUGUST 02: Lexi Thompson of the United States answers questions from the media at a press conference during a practice round prior to the Ricoh Women's British Open at Kingsbarns Golf Links on August 2, 2017 in Kingsbarns, Scotland. (Photo by Richard Martin-Roberts/Getty Images)
KINGSBARNS, SCOTLAND - AUGUST 02: Lexi Thompson of the United States answers questions from the media at a press conference during a practice round prior to the Ricoh Women's British Open at Kingsbarns Golf Links on August 2, 2017 in Kingsbarns, Scotland. (Photo by Richard Martin-Roberts/Getty Images) /
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Lexi Thompson and So Yeon Ryu are paired for the 1st and 2nd rounds at the Women’s British Open – both say they’re ready to win!

The Ricoh Women’s British Open is going to test every aspect of the players’ games this week. As if the Kingsbarns track wasn’t enough of a challenge, the Scottish weather has tossed a curve ball at the field in the form of rain, rain, and more intermittent rain.

The golf course will be soft and the greens receptive. Roll will be restricted. The rain-saturated rough will be punishing. The early rounds – those crucial 36 holes of golf that will winnow the field – will be as much a test of endurance as skill.

And then there’s the missing summer warmth. Scotland isn’t Florida and nobody expects it to be, but daytime highs in the mid-60s (F) combined with the rains and light but persistent winds are going to make for some chilly early morning and late afternoon rounds.

So Yeon Ryu

Women's British Open
So Yeon Ryu of Korea. (Photo by Richard Martin-Roberts/Getty Images) /

World No. 1 So Yeon Ryu isn’t likely to be deterred by the weather. As Inbee Park reminded everyone, Korean golfers play and train year round and winter weather in South Korea is enough to toughen up even the fairest of fair-weather golfers. Ryu hardly fits in that category.

With two wins this season and seven additional top-10s, So Yeon Ryu’s game is dialed in and ready for whatever Kingsbarns throws at her. She’s an experience and skilled links player, as her top-5 finish at Turnberry two years ago attests.

With her practice rounds behind her and a good night’s rest, Ryu feels confident in her game and she’s ready to go at it this week:

"I have been playing well in the major tournaments this year and want to win more no matter what"

Lexi Thompson

World No. 2 Lexi Thompson has every intention of chasing So Yeon Ryu down and then romping right past her. With a 2017 win and five runner-ups – three of those in her last five starts – Thompson’s in form and knows it.

She enjoyed the pro-am – and judging from Thompson’s Instagram pic of her pro-am foursome, the pro-am liked her – and she likes the golf course.

Kingsbarns suits Thompson’s eye. She feel like those big open fairways are just waiting for receive what she can deliver from her driver.

Thompson may have a secret weapon this week. Former Scottish Amateur champion, Kevin McAlpine is looping for her, a very important addition to her team given that Kingsbarns is a new track for Thompson.

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"Having Kevin caddie out here is a huge help. Stepping foot out here the first time on Monday, I was like, I have no idea. I mean, there could be a bunker over that hill, I don’t know. So, he was just telling me every line and what every green does hitting the shots into them. He knows the course very well."

Ryu and Thompson are paired and playing with Ariya Jutanugarn for the 1st and 2nd rounds of the Women’s British Open. The group tees off at 12:16pm local time. They’re likely to finish in rain. Golf Channel begins first round broadcast coverage at 6am Thursday, August 3. With the time zone difference, that’s about 45 minutes before this marquee group takes the first tee.

Next: Ricoh Women's British Open power rankings

A win this week at the Women’s British Open would put So Yeon Ryu well ahead of Thompson in the Rolex Rankings, the Race to the CME Globe, and competition for the Annika Award and the Vare Trophy. For Thompson, the win would give her the edge is all of these elements. Who are you liking for the win? Thompson or Ryu?

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