Mi Hyang Lee ruled the links at Dundonald to claim her third professional title on Sunday and now the 24-year-old South Korean has her sights set on another victory in the Ricoh Women’s British Open at Kingsbarns.
Lee has not had time to celebrate her victory, as she has been getting to know Kingsbarns, another Kyle Phillips-designed layout, ahead of her 10.26am tee time on Thursday.
She said: “Every player has been getting ready for this week’s Ricoh Women’s British Open, because it’s really big, in fact, a Major! This week’s course is similar to last week’s, although it is longer and more difficult.
“I think the greens are a little slower than last week and bigger, but my ball has a lot of spin on it, so I can control it in the wind. Since my junior years, I have been using a Volvik ball. I think that helped me to play in the strong winds in Scotland and I think that helped me to win last week too.
“The rough is definitely tougher. It’s important to keep your ball on the fairway. It’s a similar wind, so I had a good practise at Dundonald. I think I can win back to back but I don’t want to think about it too much, just play day by day.”
Lee would be in good company if she captured the Ricoh Women’s British Open, as many of her compatriots have performed well in recent years. Inbee Park won at Turnberry in 2015, Jiyai Shin at Royal Liverpool in 2012 and at Sunningdale in 2008, Jeong Jang at Royal Birkdale in 2005 and Se Ri Pak at Sunningdale in 2001, the year that the championship became a Major. That means that Lee could become the fifth Korean player to lift the trophy, if she can master the links and the elements, for a second successive time.
