World’s top 20 head for Kingsbarns

All of the top 20 on the official world rankings will contest the Ricoh Women’s British Open at Kingsbarns from August 3-6.

Defending champion Ariya Jutanugarn will face the challenge of five former British Open champions, 24 major champions and 22 Solheim Cup players.

Japanese crowd favourite and former world No 1 Ai Miyazato has been offered a special exemption.

Having declared this is her final year competing, Miyazato said: “I am very grateful to the championship committee and especially the R&A, for giving me this special invitation and the opportunity to make my final appearance playing in the Ricoh Women’s British Open.

“It was the first major I ever played in and has always been one of my favourite tournaments. It is a title I would really love to win before I retire.”

With Miyazato joining the field there will be eight players in St Andrews who have held the coveted No 1 spot on the Rolex Rankings – Cristie Kerr, Yani Tseng, Stacy Lewis, Inbee Park, Lydia Ko, Ariya Jutanugarn and current incumbent So Yeon Ryu.

The US Women’s Open gets under way today but the possible presence of President Donald Trump is threatening to overshadow the action.

Golf’s most influential organisations had distanced themselves from Trump in the wake of his views on Mexican immigrants, his call for a “total and complete” ban on Muslims entering America and wellpublicised lewd comments he has made about women.

However, the event goes ahead at Trump National in Bedminster, New Jersey, this week with most players keen to avoid the subject.

Former champion Michelle Wie insisted: “This week is about the golf,” while world No 4 Ko said: “I’m excited to play the US Open and not think of it in a political way.”