Players will need to earn major spot says John O'Gaunt pro

John O'Gaunt GC professional Lee Scarbrow says anyone hoping to make it into the Ricoh Women's British Open will need to earn their place at Final Qualifying.
Lee Scarbrow. PNL-160713-094357002Lee Scarbrow. PNL-160713-094357002
Lee Scarbrow. PNL-160713-094357002

With the course hosting the prestigious qualifier on Monday, July 25, Scarbrow says a 36-hole total around par could be enough to secure a spot at Woburn later in the month.

He said: “Scoring won’t be very low. If they can get it under par at John O’Gaunt, they will be in the mix.

“It’s very easy to get yourself out of position because there are a lot of mature trees and if you put yourself in the rough, you are going to struggle around this golf course.

“So if they keep it nice and straight, and keep it in play, there could be a few scores under par.

“But I think par and maybe one over will be enough to qualify.”

With some of the best professional and amateur ladies in the world aiming to book a place in the third major of the year, Scarbrow has earmarked the holes in the middle of each loop, plus the 18th, as being crucial to their success.

He said: “Holes five and six are very long holes, but very scoreable holes if they can get the ball in play.

“The seventh is a tricky hole because they need to keep the ball in play off the tee. They can’t hit much club down there because there is nowhere to go.

“The second shot plays uphill to an elevated green, which is quite firm and could catch a few people out – I can see a lot of bogeys being made there.

“On the back nine, the 13th and 15th holes are just monsters and the 18th is a fantastic finishing hole – if they need a four to get into the tournament, they will need to earn it there.”