CARLY BOOTH BIDDING TO FOLLOW IN PAUL LAWRIE'S MAJOR FOOTSTEPS

 

      CARLY BOOTH AT THE MEDIA CENTRE PRESS CONFERENCE, complete with dangling ear-rings and painted fingernails. And why not? If you've got it, flaunt it. Picture

                                 by Cal Carson Golf Agency

 

By COLIN FARQUHARSON

Colin@scottishgolfview.com

If Paul Lawrie can do it, so can Carly Booth! The 21-year-old daughter of an Aberdonian is one of only two players in the Ricoh Women's British Open championship field who has come through the pre-qualifying event then the Final Qualifier - with a play-off birdie at Kingsbarns on Monday - to earn the right to tee it up with Inbee Park & Co.

When Lawrie won the Open at Carnoustie in 1999, he was a qualifier from an eliminator at Downfield.

Carly played in the Curtis Cup match over the Old Course in 2008 and, like Catriona Matthew, has the course experienced gained from playing several St Rule Trophy tournaments, finishing runner-up on her last appearance before turning pro.

"It's great to be here at St Andrews and I'm very happy I managed to qualify," said the Comrie, Perthshire-born player who now has her base in Majorca.

" I love it here.  Such a great golf links and it's the widest golf course hole you'll ever play in a Major but it's not enough to hit the greens. They're huge, so you've got to hit it close with your approaches.

for me."
Carly has already played in one Major this year, the US Women's Open.
"It was a great experience but the nerves definitely got the better of me in the first nine holes.  But at least with the Women's British Open, I had my first experience of it last year at Royal Liverpool, so I know what it's going to feel like.  

Carly's goal is to make it to the LPGA Tour and will probably attempt to play in its Qualifying School process next year.

Carly's form in Europe has been patchy. She won the Scottish Women's Open at Archerfield Links last year but has not been in contention so much so far this season.

"I think for me, it's question of building my confidence back up and and focusing on targets and really just trusting my golf swing.  It's not changed at all since last year, so there's in reason to not be doing as well as last year.

"I have to really believe that I'm good enough to be here in the field for the Women's British Open and that I can score really low and just play positively."

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