STACY WANTS A HEN PARTY
Lewis draws on the memory of Stenson for tilt at Troon title
STACY LEWIS will take inspiration from Henrik Stenson’s Royal Troon heroics as she aims for a historic triumph at the AIG Women’s Open.
The American is on course for a Tartan double, having won the Scottish Open in North Berwick last week.
Lewis, the 2013 champion, couldn’t be in better form heading into today’s opening round of the Major.
And it’s at the Ayrshire venue where Stenson claimed a glorious final-day victory in The Open following a last-day duel with Phil Mickelson four years ago.
She said: “Watching on TV doesn’t give you a ton of perspective or specifically how to play the course but you certainly remember some of the duels, especially Henrik down the stretch here.
“The Scottish double, it’s doable. You definitely have to get the right bounces.”
Lewis is also aware of the traditions which accompany this week’s showpiece, with Royal Troon hosting the AIG Women’s Open for the first time.
She said: “This is a big week for women’s golf. To be playing here on a golf course that’s been in the men’s rotation for a very long time and didn’t even allow female members to play on this golf course for a long time, is incredible.
“I was talking to Minjee Lee and she didn’t realise the history here and what we were doing.
“It’s also really cool of the R&A to give Laura Davies that first tee shot. There’s just a lot of history to be made this week.
“We’re so thankful that the Scottish government allowed us to come over and the R&A for hosting our championship and not hosting the men’s.
“It shows their commitment to women’s golf for the future.”
●Muirfield will host the AIG Women’s Open in 2022, five years after voting to admit women members for the first time.
The East Lothian course was one of five future venues for the championship announced by the R&A ahead of this year’s event getting under way at Royal Troon this morning.