LYTHAM ST ANNES, United Kingdom (AFP) – Ariya Jutanugarn wasn’t a fan of links courses but victory in the Scottish Ladies’ Open at Gullane last Sunday has given the new world number one a boost ahead of the Women’s British Open at Royal Lytham and St Annes.
The 22-year-old Thai star won the British Open at the non-Links course of Woburn two years ago and added the US Open in June.
She chalked off another of her career goals when she first became world number one for a short spell last year.
“Now I just want to win as many titles as I can,’’ said the Bangkok-born star.
‘’This course is amazing. I still don’t really love links golf,’’ she said after a first outing over Lancashire’s famous Open Championship course. “But I’m getting better at playing the courses.
“Last week was great and I learned a lot about playing in the wind.’’
Known for her big hitting, Ariya did not include a driver in her armoury when she lifted the trophy two years ago.
It will be the same over the next four days – the longest club will stay in the locker.
“I do use it sometimes – honest,” she said.
“But just not this week.”
Kim In-kyung arrives at Lytham as the defending champion.
The South Korean put her major demons to rest when she won the title at Kingsbarns near St Andrews last year.