LOCAL HELP FOR OPEN FAVOURITE THOMPSON

WORLD No 2 Lexi Thompson’s odds of 10/1 to capture the Ricoh Women’s British Open title at Kingsbarns became even more appealing yesterday when it emerged that she is the beneficiary of expert local knowledge. The bookmakers’ favourite to land the £400,000 top prize in the £2.5million tournament has the good fortune to employ a caddie who knows every twist and turn of the testing Fife links. Former golf professional Kevin McAlpine, son of legendary Dundee United goalie Hamish, spent four years working as a bagman at Kingsbarns in a bid to supplement his earnings. ‘I was at school when I did my first summer here,’ he revealed. ‘I’d come down twice a week to earn some extra pocket money. ‘Then, when I turned pro, I went to the States for winter and worked here in the summer. ‘It’s surreal to be back carrying Lexi’s bag. ‘There have been a couple of times this week when she’s asked for advice, but Lexi is very independent. She knows how to play golf and certainly doesn’t need me to tell her that.’ The partnership was forged in Phoenix in March and has so far yielded a win and five second places, with McAlpine adding: ‘One of the best things about working with Lexi is you go into any event with a chance of winning.’ Orlando-based McAlpine was happy to report that Jim McLean’s last line of defence is still swinging a club with a degree of success. ‘Dad golfs three or four times a week and is off six,’ he said. ‘He’s got a new knee but the other one is still giving him a bit of bother.’ For her part, Thompson said of her caddie: ‘We laugh so much on the course, I’ve never been so relaxed. He’s like my best friend.’