Heather hunts the WPGA Championship at Frilford Heath

 

One of Scotland’s leading ladies is aiming to be in the spotlight as she tees up in the revamped Titleist and FootJoy Women’s PGA Professional Championship today.
Heather Macrae, a regular competitor on both the Ladies European Tour and the men's Tartan Tour, has made the long haul  south to Frilford Heath, Oxfordshire, to compete in the new-look 36-holes in one day event
Carrying a £6,000 prize fund – the biggest in its 13-year history, this year’s championship will also feature an expanded field as a standalone event on the national tournament schedule.
Macrae, who has 50 LET starts to her name and last month tied 22nd at the men's Northern Open after a closing round 66, will be amongst the favourites to lift the title.
The 32-year-old, a former winner of the British women's open amateur stroke-play championship at Nairn, who will be making her debut in the WPGA tournament, has been buoyed by her recent form.
“My game feels good and I had a good final round at the Northern Open,” she said. “I’m not sure that marks me out as a title favourite. That’s very difficult to judge as I don’t play many WPGA events to know all of the players but there are a number of quality women golfers out there.
“It’ll be nice to play in an event and one you have a chance of winning as it’s a bit different to teeing it up against the guys on the Tartan Tour.”
The test for all the players will be coming through 36 holes on the day, which she admits is not something many of the players competing will be used to.
“I can’t think of many instances when I have played 36 holes in a day as a pro,” said MacRae.
“I will have done as an amateur, however I’m probably fitter now than I have ever been. I don’t think playing 36 holes is a major issue anyway. 
"If anything, it’s more mental than physical, as when you tee off you know it’s going to be a long day. But if you’re striking the ball well, then I don’t think you’ll notice.”
As MacRae prepares for her debut, there are some familiar names in the expanded field including defending champion Tracy Loveys (Bigbury), who captured the title for a record fourth time at Burnham and Berrow last year and former US Women’s Open winner Alison Nicholas (Beau Desert).