In 2018, Hull watched as her childhood friend Georgia Hall became the fourth Englishwoman to capture their country’s national title. As Hull prepares for this final major of the 2019 season, she is working hard to take inspiration from that win while still maintaining a level head.

“I’m just going to go out there and enjoy it. I’d always love to win a major, especially on home turf. I think it would be great,” said 23-year-old Hull, who has been a member at Woburn since age 11. “But just going to go out there and enjoy it, and the more I enjoy it, hopefully it gives me a chance to win out there.”

Hull competed in the 2016 AIG Women’s British Open here on Woburn’s Marquess Course, finishing in a tie for 17th. This year’s tournament brings Hull to a course measuring 293 yards longer than 2016 (6,463 yards to 6,756 yards), a development she feels favors her powerful game.

“This golf course does suit a player that’s longer because the holes are designed for the back tees,” said Hull, who is 26th in Average Drive Distance at 268.5 yards. “It’s nice they’re playing it back because it makes the holes real good because that’s how they should be played.”

Hull begins her championship campaign at 7:36 a.m. alongside major champions Hannah Green and Shanshan Feng.

CRUNCH TIME FOR CAPTAIN MATTHEW

This week’s AIG Women’s British Open marks the 10th anniversary of Catriona Matthew’s British Open title at Royal Lytham and St Annes. Matthew’s lone major title in 2009 came just 11 weeks after she gave birth to her second daughter, Sophie. While Matthew is stepping away from full-time life on the LPGA Tour this season, she is set to make her 25th start at the Women’s British Open this week in Milton Keynes.

“It’s always nice to come back,” said Matthew of the AIG Women’s British Open. “The only major we get to play in Britain, in your home country, so yeah, it’s always great to come back. 10 years seems to have zipped past. Yeah, I’ve always enjoyed playing here. The last time — was it four years ago or two years ago we played here, so the course is in great shape. Played the last couple of days, so looking forward to getting out there.”

While Matthew is focused on hoisting a second major title this week, she has other duties on her mind as well. The nine-time Solheim Cup participant will captain Team Europe in her home country of Scotland in September, and with just two events to go for European qualifications it’s crunch time for the players. Scouting will be made a bit easier for the captain this week as she’ll play the first two rounds alongside top English golfer Bronte Law, who must rely on a captain’s pick to make her Solheim Cup debut in Gleneagles.

“It will be nice to play with her and watch her on the golf course,” Matthew said of Law. “I think you always learn a lot more watching someone playing in competition, so it will be nice to be out with her for a couple of days.

Matthew and Law will tee off the first round at 11:54 a.m. with Cristie Kerr.

FOUR WEEKS IN A ROW JUST THE TICKET FOR WOBURN FAN LEXI THOMPSON

Rolex Rankings No. 3 Lexi Thompson will be competing for a fourth consecutive week on the LPGA Tour when she tees off in Thursday’s opening round of the AIG Women’s British Open, but she would not have it any other way. Not only has she been playing good golf over the past three months – a rare blip coming in the shape of a missed cut at The Evian Championship last week – but she has been selective in playing the tournaments where she feels comfortable.

“This is my fourth week in a row, so it’s been a lot of golf for me this year. In general, there’s a lot more tournaments that were in a row that I wanted to play in,” said Thompson, who has recorded seven top-10s this season in 15 starts, including a victory at the ShopRite LPGA Classic presented by Acer and three runner-up spots. “It’s just one of those years where I’m playing a lot more, but at the same time I’m making sure to take that downtime when I do go home and not grind away on practice sessions … I feel great about my game. It’s in a good spot. We’re going to miss cuts and you can’t play perfect every day. Sometimes it’s just not your week.”

Thompson, an 11-time winner on the LPGA Tour, loves the look of the par-72 Marquess Course at Woburn Golf Club, which first hosted the Women’s British Open in 2016. On that occasion, Thompson tied for eighth, her best finish in six career starts in this major championship.

“It’s a great golf course,” Thompson said of a layout that will play at 6,756 yards off the back tees this week and feel even longer for many of the players because of rain on Tuesday. “It played a lot different in ’16. It was a lot firmer, and this year it’s obviously gotten a lot more rain, especially with last night, so it’s a lot softer and greener. They’ve moved a few tee boxes back, so a little bit more added yardage on this golf course. I like the length of the golf course, and it’s probably in the best shape I’ve seen. I really like this golf course a lot and I feel good about where my game is at.”

PARK READY FOR NEW CHALLENGE AT WOBURN

LPGA Hall of Fame member Inbee Park enters this week’s AIG Women’s British Open on a hot streak. Park has not missed a cut in 12 starts in 2019 and enters the final major of the year with three straight top-10 finishes under her belt, including a T7 finish at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship and a T8 finish at The Evian Championship.

“I’m having a lot more fun on the golf course, whether I am playing good or bad,” Park said on Wednesday in Milton Keynes. “I have been a little bit more accurate with the ball-striking, but my putting hasn’t been the way I want it to be. I really feel like it’s slowly coming around a little bit. I have been putting a little bit better the last few tournaments or so.”

Having missed the 2016 AIG Women’s British Open due to injury, Park is seeing Woburn Golf Club for the first time this week. With seven major titles under her belt, including the 2015 British Open at Trump Turnberry’s Ailsa Course, Park is ready for a different type of test this week.

“The course is in really good condition. I think probably the fastest greens that I’ve played a British Open because with the wind, British Opens tend to not make the greens as quick as other tournaments. But yeah, just a different golf setup, and I think the course is going to play a little bit long with all the wind and the rain conditions,” said Park. “As always, British Open is always just a fight with nature. You have to work your way around the wind and work your way — try to maybe stay dry. I don’t think you can, but yeah, it’s been quite windy the last couple days I have been here, so it’s going to be a challenge, and different golf course and course setup. It’s going to be just a little bit different for me.”

Park will tee off the first round on Thursday at 7:14 a.m. with Jessica Korda and Angela Stanford.

RAMA WINNER TO BE DECIDED SUNDAY AT AIG WOMEN’S BRITISH OPEN

The final LPGA major of the year – the AIG Women’s British Open – will decide the winner of the Rolex ANNIKA Major Award and it’s a three-woman race involving Jin Young Ko, Jeongeun Lee6 and Hannah Green. Ko, the winner of last week’s Evian Championship, is in the driver’s seat and is guaranteed the award with a top-six finish.

With her win Ko, who also won the ANA Inspiration, now has 120 points while Lee6 has 70 and Green 60. If Lee6, who won the U.S. Women’s Open, takes the Women’s British Open and Ko finishes sixth they tie atop the standings with Ko winning the award on the tie break.

If Green, winner of the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, triumphs at Woburn Golf Club and Ko finishes outside the top 10 at AIG, they tie atop the standings with Ko winning the award on the tie break.

If there is a tie, the award goes to the player with the most majors but in this case both would have two. The next tiebreaker is the most second-place major finishes. If that is the same number, they go to third-place finishes and so on until the tie is broken.­­­

For more information from Ron Sirak, including comments from the award’s namesake Annika Sorenstam, visit www.lpga.com/news/2019-rama-to-be-decided-sunday-at-aig-womens-british-open

ROYAL PORTHCAWL CONFIRMED AS VENUE FOR 2021 AIG WOMEN’S BRITISH OPEN

Royal Porthcawl was announced today as the venue for the 2021 AIG Women’s British Open, following on from Royal Troon, which makes its debut on the championship roster in 2020.

Royal Porthcawl is renowned to be as challenging a course and as hospitable a club as you will find and has held many amateur and professional tournaments on its famous links. In 2014 the Club hosted the first ever Major in Wales, The Senior Open, which returned again for the 2017 edition won by Bernhard Langer.

Among others, the Club has hosted The Amateur Championship, The Walker Cup, The Curtis Cup, The European Team Championship, The Men’s Home Internationals, The Vagliano Trophy, The Women’s Amateur Championship, The Dunlop Masters, The Penfold, The Ladies European Tour and The Coral Classic.

Johnnie Cole-Hamilton, Executive Director – Championships at The R&A, said: “We are very much looking forward to taking the AIG Women’s British Open to Royal Porthcawl for the first time in 2021.  We have a very exciting couple of years ahead with the Championship also making its debut at Royal Troon in 2020. Both courses will present outstanding tests for the world’s best women’s golfers.”

The inaugural weekend for the FIM Enel MotoE™ World Cup in Germany got the new electric series underway in style, with a spectacular race seeing Niki Tuuli (Ajo MotoE) become the first ever MotoE™ winner. The event was also a valuable opportunity to begin learning as much as possible about the new Cup in order to maximise its potential both on- and off-track.

After that first experience of a full race weekend, the first key change for MotoE™ will now be brought into force at the myWorld Motorrad Grand Prix von Österreich. In the season opener, the E-Pole session was the only track time for the riders on Saturday. At the Red Bull Ring, there will be an additional session added to the schedule: Free Practice 3.

This will be 20 minutes in length and begin at 8:30am local time (GMT +2) on Saturday, giving riders some further experience of both the venue and their machinery before the all-or-nothing E-Pole session later that day. The new FP3 session will also count towards the order in which riders head out for their E-Pole lap, which will now be decided by the combined times from FP1, FP2 and FP3.

As Misano and Valencia are double headers for MotoE™, featuring two races, the new FP3 session is currently only planned for Austria. Further assessments may be made after the event at the Red Bull Ring as the FIM Enel MotoE™ World Cup continues to evolve.

Sekito, the Asian Development Tour (ADT) Order of Merit leader, opened up a three-shot lead after setting the course record with a spectacular 62. He returned to fire seven birdies against four bogeys under blustery conditions for a 11-under-par 129 total in the US$75,000 event.

The 21-year-old Sekito, who has claimed one victory and three runner-up finishes in just six starts on the region’s secondary circuit this season, rode on a hot putter to cap a commendable round, highlighted by four birdies in-a-row from the fourth hole.

“I putted better than I did yesterday to be honest. My iron-play wasn’t as good. It was really windy this morning and that made it really tough to score out there. But I putted well and was able to make putts from 15 to 18 feet,” said Sekito, who amassed 28 putts in total.

Starting from the 10th hole, Sekito birdied two of his opening four holes before dropping shots on 14 and 17. A birdie on 18 saw him turn in with a 35 and he would go on to four straight birdies before closing with back-to-back bogeys.

“I made a good birdie on the 18th hole. I hit a three-wood off the tee and had about 125 yards to the pin. From there, I hit a 50 degree to about 10 feet and made that putt for birdie. That gave me some good momentum heading into my back-nine today,” Sekito added.

Australian Shae Wools-Cobb, playing in only his third start on the ADT this season, signed for a 66 to take second place while Thai trio Poom Pattaropong, Pannakorn Uthaipas and Kwanchai Tannin shared third place on matching 135s following respective rounds of 70, 67 and 66.

The halfway cut was set at five-over-par 145 with a total of 56 players, including an amateur, progressing into the weekend rounds.

The Gunung Geulis Golf Invitational supported by Nomura is the Tour’s second stop in Indonesia this season and the Gunung Geulis Golf and Country Club is hosting an ADT event for the third time since it first opened in 1992.

The leading seven players on the final ADT Order of Merit will earn playing rights on the premier Asian Tour for the 2020 season and the winner of the Gunung Geulis Golf Invitational will take home a prize purse of US$13,125.

For more information on the ADT, please visit www.asiandevelopmenttour.com.

Leading round two scores:

129 – Naoki Sekito 62 67

133 – Shae Wools-Cobb 67 66

135 – Poom Pattaropong 65 70, Pannakorn Uthaipas 68 67, Kwanchai Tannin 69 66

136 – Daniel Fox 71 65, Shinichi Mizuno 65 71

137 – Peradol Panyathanasedh 69 68

138 – Tawit Polthai 66 72, Pawin Ingkhapradit 67 71, Miguel Carballo 66 72, Samarth Dwivedi 69 69, Suradit Yongcharoenchai 69 69, Chonlatit Chuenboonngam 69 69, Atiruj Winaicharoenchai 70 68

139 – Panuwat Muenlek 70 69, Rory Hie 69 70, Udayan Mane 71 68, Galven Green 66 73, Nirun Sae-Ueng 70 69

140 – Jesse Yap 66 74, Amir Nazrin 68 72, Kasidit Lepkurte 73 67, Koh Deng Shan 68 72, Sam Gillis 71 69, Chinnarat Phadungsil 71 69, George Gandranata 65 75, Aman Raj 67 73, Matt Killen 69 71, Witchayanon Chothirunrungrueng 72 68, Gregory Foo 71 69

141 – Brandon Lau 74 67, Hyukchul Shin 68 73

The Thai former world No 1, who won this event in 2013 and 2017, demolished the former European Junior Championship bronze medalist 21-13 21-8 in her first match at home since she helped the Kingdom emerge runners-up in the Uber Cup international team event last year in Nonthaburi province.

“It was a bit tough as she [Li] came up with a game plan that put me a bit under pressure initially,” said the 24-year-old Thai. “I was pushing myself hard but it didn’t work. So I tried to raise the level of my game and pulled off the win today,” the 2013 world champion said.

Despite the absence of world No 1 Akane Yamaguchi of Japan and No 2 Tai Tzu Ying of Taiwan, Ratchanok still considered herself only the outside favourite to win this week.

“There are still some tough players like Chen Yufei [top seed from China) and they all are trying to go to the Olympics. So it’s not easy this week,” she added.

The sixth-seeded Ratchanok, winner of two BWF events this year, lines up an all-Thai affair against Nitchaon Jindapol, who toppled compatriot Busanan Ongbamrungphan 13-21 21-12 21-12 in the second round on Thursday.

Khosit Phetpradab

In the men’s singles opening rounds, former Thai No 1 Khosit Phetpradab, after suffering first-round exits, finally got past the first round beating Lee Chuek Yiu of Hong Kong 21-19 21-15. The world No 32 will next face India’s Srikanth Kiddambi in the last 16.

Also moving ahead is national player Sitthikom Thammasin who dismissed Mark Caljouw of the Netherlands 21-15 21-18.

However, Thai No 1 Kantapon Wangcharoen went down fighting 15-21 21-17 21-15against 2017 champion Sai Praneeth B, losing to his old rival from India for the fourth successive time.

In mixed doubles, Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Sapsiree Taerattanachai beat Chinese Ou Xuan Yi and Feng Xue Ying 21- 16 21- 12.

Jazz, who leads the Order of Merit with his current haul of US$738,093 (Bt22.7 million), came in joint runner-up last year after firing a birdie and an eagle in his closing three holes for a solid eight-under-par 64 to finish one shot shy of winner John Catlin of the United States.

Having already bagged two Asian Tour titles this season, the 23-year-old Thai is looking to ride on his soaring confidence as he challenges for the title again at the Arnold Palmer-designed Damai Golf and Country Club located in Kuching, the capital of Sarawak.

“I remember Sarawak being a very nice place. There’s a beautiful beach there and I enjoyed playing that course last year,” said Jazz. “I had great fun competing for the title with my friends that week too and although I didn’t win the tournament, I was happy that I finished strong to give myself a chance.”

Jazz marked the start of his epic rise when he completed an amazing career turnaround with his breakthrough title in Bangladesh two years ago. That win was especially sweet for the Thai as it came shortly after losing his Tour card for the first time in his career. Jazz would later go on to claim his second title on home soil in 2018.

Jazz continued his remarkable rise by breaking into the world’s top-100 after winning his third Asian Tour title at the season-opening SMBC Singapore Open in January. He would notch three other top-10 results before securing his fourth victory at the Kolon Korea Open last month.

The fast-emerging Asian Tour star rose to a career-high 52nd place on the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) following his win in Korea but slipped to his current 53rd position after missing the halfway cut in his second attempt at The Open a fortnight ago.

Earlier in May, Jazz also served notice of his immense talent when he came in tied-14th in what was his debut appearance at the PGA Championship. It was the best-ever result by a Thai player in that Major tournament.

“I am currently back in Hua Hin, enjoying a few weeks off with my friends and family before heading to Sarawak. The Sarawak Championship will be the start of another busy stretch for me. Hopefully I can kickstart that stretch with a good result in Sarawak,” Jazz added.

Arguably the hottest player on the Asian Tour this season, Jazz is currently in the running to automatically qualify for the International Team for the Presidents Cup. He is also chasing to lift the Merit crowns on both the Asian Tour and the Japan Golf Tour at the end of the season.

Supported by the Sarawak State government, the Sarawak Championship will see a total of 150 players from 22 countries vying for top honours at the full-field Asian Tour event, which will be the Tour’s second stop in Malaysia this season.

Other notable players in the talented field are Micah Lauren Shin of the United States, India’s Khalin Joshi, Chan Shih-chang of Chinese Taipei, as well as Thailand’s Sadom Kaewkanjana and Tirawat Kaewsiribandit.

Nineteen of the top 20 players in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings have made their way to Woburn, led by newly minted Rolex Rankings No. 1 and last week’s Evian Championship winner Jin Young Ko. In April, Ko claimed the ANA Inspiration, and this week she hopes to become the fifth player to win three majors in a single year and first since Inbee Park in 2013.

Host country England has its hopes pinned on defending champion Georgia Hall, who won last year at Royal Lytham and St Annes and looks to become the first successful title defender since Yani Tseng in 2010 and 2011. Hall is one of 14 Englishwomen in the field, a list that includes Dame Laura Davies, playing in her 39th AIG Women’s British Open, Woburn member Charley Hull and 2019 LPGA Tour winner Bronte Law.

This week’s championship will decide the 2019 Rolex ANNIKA Major Award (RAMA), which is bestowed upon the player with the season’s most outstanding major championship performance. Three players have captured the season’s four major championships thus far – Hannah Green (KPMG Women’s PGA Championship), Jin Young Ko (ANA Inspiration and Evian Championship) and Jeongeun Lee6 (U.S. Women’s Open). Past winners are Michelle Wie (2014), Inbee Park (2015), Lydia Ko (2016), So Yeon Ryu (2017) and Ariya Jutanugarn (2018).

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE AIG WOMEN’S BRITISH OPEN

• Since 2001, the AIG Women’s British Open has been a major on the LPGA Tour and Ladies European Tour
• Prior to 2001, the tournament was a co-sanctioned LPGA Tour/Ladies European Tour event from 1994-2000 and was first conducted in 1976
• This is the second time that the Marquess Course at Woburn Golf Club has hosted the championship since it was elevated to major status; Ariya Jutanugarn won the 2016 championship by three strokes over Mo Martin and Mirim Lee
• Woburn also hosted the championship in 1984, from 1990 to 1996 and in 1999, all on the Duke’s Course
• Since becoming a major, four Europeans have claimed victory – Annika Sorenstam in 2003 (Royal Lytham and St Annes), Karen Stupples in 2004 (Sunningdale), Catriona Matthew in 2009 (Royal Lytham and St Annes) and Georgia Hall in 2018 (Royal Lytham and St Annes)

GEORGIA HALL SET FOR TITLE DEFENSE IN HOME COUNTRY

This week in Milton Keynes, Englishwoman Georgia Hall returns to the event that brought her fame and recognition throughout her home country just one year ago. As an LPGA rookie in 2018, Hall carded a final round 5-under 67 to win the AIG Women’s British Open at Royal Lytham and St Annes for her first Tour victory. She became the fourth Englishwoman to win the championship and first since Karen Stupples in 2004.

“I don’t feel any pressure,” said Hall of defending her title at Woburn Golf Club this week. “It’s really nice for me to be home because I’ve been in the US the whole year. So to me, I’ve done the hard travelling and now I can enjoy being at home with a home crowd. It’s really nice and I think I’m going to get a lot of support, so I look forward to people out there kind of watching me and cheering me on.”

Hall’s best result of the 2019 season came in the form of a ninth-place finish at the inaugural Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions in January, her only top-10 finish of the year. Hall’s second-best finish was at the third major of the year, a tie for 26th at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship.

After her breakthrough win last year, Hall said she started to be too technical with her swing and has turned her focus on simplifying things this week.

“Trying to think as least as possible, really, about my swing,” she said. I got a bit too technical which isn’t me at all. I was trying to perfect things too much when my swing’s, I think, good on its own. I was trying to be too picky. Just going out there and trying to play golf and not think about a perfect golf shot.”

Hall’s dad, Wayne, is on the bag this week as he has been for all six of her Women’s British Open appearances. Hall will begin her title defense at 12:16 p.m. on Thursday alongside Brooke Henderson and Mamiko Higa.

WORLD NO. 1 JIN YOUNG KO PREPPED FOR THIRD MAJOR VICTORY

It’s quite possible that Jin Young Ko has not stopped smiling since she struck the winning putt at last week’s Evian Championship in France. That victory, her third of 2019 and second major title, propelled her back to No. 1 in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings, a position she held from April 8 to June 30 following her major victory at the ANA Inspiration. Only four players have won three majors in a single season and all of them are members of the LPGA Hall of Fame – Inbee Park (2013), Pat Bradley (1986),Mickey Wright (1961) and Babe Didrikson Zaharias (1950).

“Especially majors, straight two wins, or three wins of the year, is really tough,” said Ko, who celebrated her Evian victory with a glamorous dinner of a cheeseburger and a beer at her hotel. “I have a chance this week.”

This marks Ko’s third appearance in the AIG Women’s British Open, with two very disparate finishes. She finished second at the 2015 championship held at Trump Turnberry’s Ailsa Course as a member of the KLPGA Tour, heralding her breakthrough appearance on the international golf stage. Jump ahead three years and Ko missed the cut in 2018 at Royal Lytham and St Annes, her only missed cut of the season.

Tuesday afternoon’s practice round marked Ko’s first time laying eyes on Woburn’s parkland layout. She will depend closely on the expertise of her caddie David Brooker, who has looped for such names as Lorena Ochoa, Grace Park and Paula Creamer. With Brooker’s guidance, Ko said she’s “not afraid” as she heads toward potential major glory.

“My caddie walked the course this morning, so he said the fairways look narrow and many trees,” said Ko. “A little bit many doglegs, so you need straight tee shot and then a little bit make the iron shot, and still keeping to your putting feeling.”

Ko will play the first round alongside No. 10 Nelly Korda and No. 26 Ai Suzuki, teeing off at 12:38 p.m.

BRONTE LAW LOOKING FOR MAJOR BREAKTHROUGH

At No. 22 in the Rolex Rankings, Bronte Law is the highest-ranked player from England in this week’s AIG Women’s British Open field. In just her third year on Tour, Law became a Rolex First-Time Winner at the 2019 Pure Silk Championship in May and enters this week as one of the English favorites. At last week’s Evian Championship, Law tied for 22nd and on Tuesday at Woburn Golf Club, she said she was happy to have the majors back-to-back so she can continue her solid play.

“Obviously played last week, played some really good golf, and the fact that it’s back-to back majors for me, I think is going to be beneficial because I’m very pleased with how I’m hitting the ball and can kind of carry that momentum into this week,” said Law, who is making her fourth Women’s British Open appearance. “If you’re not playing well, then yeah, it might be an issue because you haven’t had much time to work on your game. There’s nothing really that I’m worried about for this week. So actually the fact that it is a quick turnaround, I think is something that is good.”

With just two qualifying events left for the European Solheim Cup Team, Law is hoping to make a statement at this week’s AIG Women’s British Open.

“Obviously major last week, major this week, just going out there and playing my best. Hopefully I can follow Georgia’s footsteps of last year. But yeah, until the team is picked, I have to prove myself every week,” said Law, who must rely on a captain’s pick to make her first Solheim Cup Team.

European Solheim Cup Captain Catriona Matthew will get an up-close look at Law this week as they’ll play the first two rounds alongside Cristie Kerr, teeing off at 11:54 p.m. Thursday.

NELLY KORDA LIKES WHAT SHE SEES AT WOBURN

Two-time LPGA winner Nelly Korda is making her 19th career start in a major at this week’s AIG Women’s British Open and finally feels comfortable with the pressure that comes along with a major championship.

In June, Korda made a late push on Sunday at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship to finish T3 and pick up her first top-five finish in a major. On Tuesday in advance of her third career start at the AIG Women’s British Open, Korda said she hopes to draw from experiences like those at Hazeltine National at this final major of the year.

“Obviously I started kind of playing golf because I wanted to win major championships,” said Korda. “I feel like the more experience I get and the more I’m in contention, the more under pressure I am in these situations, the more I learn; the more I grow as a player.”

With a quick 12 holes of practice under her belt on Tuesday, Korda came off the course feeling like Woburn Golf Club is suited well for her game.

“The conditions on the golf course are I think one of the best we’ve played this year,” she said. “I think it’s going to be a really solid week. I’ve never played out here, but I’ve heard from multiple players that it’s playing a lot longer than it’s played in the past. I think it’s going to be a good, challenging week.”

Rolex Rankings No. 10 Korda will play the first round alongside No. 1 Jin Young Ko and No. 26 Ai Suzuki at 12:38 p.m. on Thursday.

NOTABLE FIRST-ROUND GROUPINGS (all times BST, five hours ahead of EDT)

Georgia Hall begins her title defense at 12:16 p.m., playing alongside Brooke Henderson and Mamiko Higa

Newly minted Rolex Rankings No. 1 Jin Young Ko begins her attempt for a third major title of 2019 at 12:38 p.m. with Ai Suzuki and Nelly Korda

Laura Davies kicks off her 39th AIG Women’s British Open appearance at 6:52 a.m., playing with 2017 champion In-Kyung Kim and Celine Herbin

WEEK TWO OF BACK-TO-BACK MAJOR CHAMPIONSHIPS

The AIG Women’s British Open is the second of two consecutive majors on the LPGA Tour, following last week’s Evian Championship in Evian-les-Bain, France. While this is a rare phenomenon, it is not the first time majors have been held in consecutive weeks. In 1952 and 1953, the Women’s Western Open (no longer a major) and the U.S. Women’s Open were played in consecutive weeks. In 1956, 1958, 1959 and 1960, the Women’s Western Open and the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship were played in consecutive weeks. In 1955, the Women’s Western Open, U.S. Women’s Open and KPMG Women’s PGA Championship were played three in a row, but with an off week between the U.S. Women’s Open and the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship.

There are several other times when majors were played consecutively, but with at least one off-week between them. Most recently, the 2011 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, won by Yani Tseng, and the U.S. Women’s Open, won by So Yeon Ryu, were played back to back, but with an off week between them.

RACE TO THE CME GLOBE UPDATE

Heading into the 22nd week of the 2019 Race to the GME Globe, three-time winner Jin Young Ko, coming off her second major win of the year at last week’s Evian Championship, leads the standings with 3,199 points. She holds a commanding lead over Brooke Henderson, who sits second with 2,190 points. Henderson is just 10 points ahead of Sung Hyun Park (2,180 points), with Minjee Lee (2,091 points) and Lexi Thompson (2,056 points) rounding out the top five.

The 2019 season brings a fresh face to the Race to the CME Globe. LPGA Members will accumulate points at each official LPGA Tour event leading up to the CME Group Tour Championship. The top 60 points earners and ties will then earn a spot in the CME Group Tour Championship, with the entire field competing for the $5 million purse and the $1.5 million winner’s check, the largest single prize in the history of women’s golf.

The 21-year-old Sekito, who leads the current Asian Development Tour (ADT) Order of Merit, returned with a bogey-free round highlighted by eight birdies to grab a three-shot lead in the inaugural US$75,000 event.

Sekito, playing in his second year on the ADT, is enjoying a superb season so far with one victory and three runner-up finishes in just six starts on the region’s secondary circuit.

“I didn’t miss a single green today,” said Sekito. “I played my irons well and I hit some good drives to give myself good chances out there. I haven’t been putting well the last few weeks, so I was feeling a little nervous when I started out from the first hole today.”

“I had a six-iron off the tee but it went into the bunker. I then hit a pitching wedge to around five feet and made the birdie putt. That gave me quite a bit of confidence heading into the round.

“It feels good to be leading the Order of Merit. I know there are a lot of good players out there but I will definitely do my best to challenge for the Merit title,” added the young Japanese, who took over the Merit lead following his tied-second place finish in Malaysia last month.

George Gandranata, who holds the honour of being the first Indonesian to win on the ADT in 2016, signed for a 65 to sit in second place alongside Japan’s Shinichi Mizuno and Poom Pattaropong of Thailand.

Reigning ADT Order of Merit champion Miguel Carballo of Argentina came in a further shot back to share fifth place with Singapore’s Jesse Yap, Thailand’s Tawit Polthai and Malaysian amateur Galven Green.

Gandranata, who enjoyed a fourth-place finish when he played an ADT event on the same course last year, said: “I got off to a bad start from the 10th but I told myself to stay composed and I kept grinding out there. The birdie on 12th calmed me down a bit and I was able to focus better from there.

“It was nice to eagle the seventh hole. I’ve been hitting fades during my practice rounds but today, I decided to play aggressive on that hole. I drove it to about 200 yards from the pin and hit a nice draw to like nine feet before making that downhill putt,” added Gandranata, who marked his card with an eagle and five birdies against two bogeys.

Green, one of the six amateurs in the field this week, was delighted to get off to a commendable start with his father on the bag and his mother and older brother Gavin supporting him from outside the ropes.

“I played solid. I managed to keep the ball in play and I made some putts out there. I made a nice eagle on the par-five seventh. I hit a good drive to about 130m from the pin and then hit it to about 15 feet before making the eagle putt.

“It’s good support from my family out there. I’m happy to get off to a good start. The greens are really tricky here. You need to miss it in the right places to have a chance to score out there,” said the 19-year-old Green.

The Gunung Geulis Golf Invitational supported by Nomura is the Tour’s second stop in Indonesia this season and the Gunung Geulis Golf and Country Club is hosting an ADT event for the third time since it first opened in 1992.

The leading seven players on the final ADT Order of Merit will earn playing rights on the premier Asian Tour for the 2020 season and the winner of the Gunung Geulis Golf Invitational will take home a prize purse of US$13,125.

For more information on the ADT, please visit www.asiandevelopmenttour.com.

Leading round one scores:

62 – Naoki Sekito

65 – George Gandranata , Shinichi Mizuno , Poom Pattaropong

66 – Miguel Carballo , Galven Green , Jesse Yap , Tawit Polthai

67 – Pawin Ingkhapradit , Aman Raj , Shae Wools-Cobb , Justin Quiban

68 – Chanat Sakulpolphaisan , Hyukchul Shin , Koh Deng Shan , Amir Nazrin , Pannakorn Uthaipas

69 – Sorachut Hansapiban , Samarth Dwivedi , Matt Killen , Kwanchai Tannin , Suradit Yongcharoenchai , Chonlatit Chuenboonngam , Roby Sugara , Nitithorn Thippong , Rory Hie , Peradol Panyathanasedh , Settee Prakongvech , Sajawat Sriprasit

70 – Leunkwang Kim , Andrew Martin , Kosuke Hamamoto , Junghan Kim , Chanachok Dejpiratanamongkol , Suttijet Kooratanapisan , Nirun Sae-Ueng , Atiruj Winaicharoenchai , Sam Lee , Panuwat Muenlek

The world No 11 women’s pairing eased past Malaysia’s Chow Mei Kuan and Lee Meng Yean 21-14 21-17 in the first round of the World Tour Super 500 tournament.

However it was a disappointing day for other Thais, including freshly crowned Asian junior champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn. Hit by jet-lag after returning from the Asian Junior Championship in China, where he won the boys’ singles gold medal and the mixed team gold medal for Thailand last week, the world No 1 junior looked listless as he was outfought by three-time Asian champion Sony Dwi Kuncoro of Indonesia 21-19 21-19 in the men’s qualifying competition.

Kunlavut Vitidsarn

“I just returned from China on Monday and still feel exhausted. But Sony really wore me down out there by playing some great rallies,” said Thailand’s two-time world junior champion.

Also bowing out was former Thai No 1 Tanongsak Saensomboonsuk, beaten 17-21 21-10 21-12 by China’s Ren Peng Bo.

In other women’s doubles opening round action, January’s Thailand Masters winners Puttita Supajirakul and Sapsiree Taerattanachai were dumped out by top seeded Mayu Matsumoto and Wakana Nagahara of Japan 21-14 13-21 21-6. Chayanit Chaladchalam and Phataimas Muenwong, runners-up in 2017, were toppled by eighth-seeded Du Yue and Li Yin Hui of China 21-11 21-12.

The singles action starts on Wednesday with sixth-seeded Ratchanok Intanon the top Thai hope in the women’s competition. The two-time former champion will open her campaign against Yvonne Li of Germany.

In a blow to the tournament, Japan’s world No 1s Kento Momota and Akane Yamaguchi withdrew from the men’s and women’s singles, citing injuries. Both won Japan Open titles on Sunday.

The world’s finest martial arts athletes came out to address fans and media ahead of the blockbuster event taking place at the Mall of Asia Arena on 2 August. Reigning ONE Featherweight World Champion Martin “The Situ-Asian” Nguyen stood face to face with challenger Koyomi Matsushima for the first time in an intense staredown in lieu of their main event matchup.

Also in attendance was ONE Championship Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong, as well as ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion Jonathan “The General” Haggerty and opponent Rodtang “The Iron Man” Jitmuangnon, American mixed martial arts legends Eddie “The Underground King” Alvarezand Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson, among other ONE athletes competing on the card.

Chatri Sityodtong, Chairman and CEO of ONE Championship, stated: “This is without a doubt the greatest event in Philippine martial arts history. If you are a Filipino anywhere in the world, you do not want to miss Friday night. On a personal note, I am so excited for Eduard Folayang versus Eddie Alvarez, genuinely two of the greatest martial artists on the planet, two incredible legends with storied careers, and such incredible human beings. Our mission since day one has been to ignite the world with hope, strength, dreams and inspiration. There are two huge World Title bouts here in Manila. I am a huge fan of Martin Nguyen and his lovely family. Koyomi Matsushima has come here as the best in Japan. This bout is going to be fireworks. Both guys hit very, very hard. This one, I guarantee is not going the full distance. I believe it’s going to end by KO or by submission. Philippines, you are in for another treat. A bout which has the potential to be Bout of the Night — Jonathan Haggerty versus Rodtang Jitmuangnon. Of course, we also have the ONE Flyweight World Grand Prix Semi-finals between Demetrious Johnson and Tatsumitsu Wada. The winner goes on to compete in the finals at ONE: CENTURY in Tokyo, our 100th event.”

Martin Nguyen, ONE Featherweight World Champion, stated: “I hope you guys are as excited as I am, being able to come back here and compete in front of the Manila fans and Filipinos. First and foremost, I’m just happy to compete at the highest level. I want to thank ONE Championship, Chatri [Sityodtong], Victor Cui, Matt Hume, for believing in me. I want to thank my coaches for believing in me and pushing me everyday to be the best person I can be. I want to say congratulations to Koyomi Matsushima in earning his title shot by winning his last bout decisively. It’s an honor and I’m excited to go up against a warrior who puts it all on the line as much as I do. On Friday night, you all are in for a treat. I’ve been working so hard and I’m sure he’s been working so hard as well. But this is my division…and still.”

Koyomi Matsushima, ONE World Title Challenger, stated: “I’m really honored to be competing against the greatest champion, Martin Nguyen. Our fight will be a very exciting fight, so please come to the event and watch.”

Jonathan Haggerty, ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion, stated: “I want to thank everyone for coming out today. Ever since I was a little boy, this has been my dream, being up here on the big stage among legends like Demetrious Johnson and Eddie Alvarez. I’m fighting Rodtang Jitmuangnon. He’s a very come-forward fighter. I’ve been training hard. I know what I’m going to expect and I have a game plan which I always do. Last May, I defeated Sam-A Gaiyanghadao for the ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Title. This title is going to be staying with me. This is what I do. This is what I love. I’m here to stay champion.”

Rodtang Jitmuangnon, ONE World Title Challenger, stated: “This is my second time to compete in Manila and this is the biggest card ever in Philippine history. This is also the most important bout of my career. Fighting for a world title in ONE Championship is something every fighter dreams of. To all my fans around the world, please support me this coming Friday. I will do my best.”

Eduard Folayang, former ONE Lightweight World Champion, stated: “Good afternoon to all. I’m really excited to be competing in Manila again. Of course, I’ll be facing Eddie [Alvarez]. He’s one of those athletes that I spent a lot of time watching before. He says this isn’t the right time, but I believe it’s God’s time. It’s a huge honor for me to be able to test my skills against him. My preparations have gone well. I lost my belt last March. That chapter of my career has closed. It’s time to write another chapter of my journey.”

Eddie Alvarez, 4x Lightweight Mixed Martial Arts World Champion, stated: “Thank you Manila. I rarely come as a nemesis to a country. Usually, I’m the guy holding the belt. It’s unusual for me to be the bad guy, but I promise you if I’m the bad guy, I will not disappoint. I respect Eduard [Folayang]. I respect everything he’s done not just as a fighter, but also as a human being for his community. This is what this sport is all about. It’s beyond what goes on in the Circle. In the movies, heroes always prevail. The nemesis loses, he goes home and everybody’s happy. Unfortunately, that’s not the story here. You picked the wrong guy at the wrong time. I love you Manila. I respect you Eduard. Let’s have some fun.”

Demetrious Johnson, 12x Flyweight Mixed Martial Arts World Champion, stated: “I’m very much looking forward to taking on Tatsumitsu Wada. It’s the second round of the ONE Flyweight World Grand Prix. Being a kid, growing up watching Japanese mixed martial arts, I could never imagine myself actually competing against the best in the world and hopefully eventually win the Grand Prix. I’m looking forward to my first time competing here in Manila. I think this is probably the biggest press conference I’ve ever been to, with all of the media. Thank you guys so much for being here. I look forward to fighting. I’m sure I’m going to battle a little adversity against Tatsumitsu Wada. I’ve been down on the scorecards before, but I keep on pushing through. I look forward to entertaining you all on Friday night.”

Tatsumitsu Wada, ONE Athlete, stated: “Thank you for welcoming me Filipino fans. This is the third time for me to fight in Manila, so I feel at home here. This week, I’m fighting pound-for-pound the world’s greatest martial artist, Demetrious Johnson. I’m really honored to fight against him, but I have a chance to win. I will do my best to try to stick to my game plan and try to win. Thank you for all the support.”

The 20-year-old Bangkokian is in her first season on the US-based LPGA Tour and has impressed in the only two majors she’s been in, finishing in a tie for 14th at the PGA Championship in June and equal 25th at the just-completed Evian Championship in France.

In fact, she was among the leaders at The Evian until carding a three-over-par 74 on the final day to slip down the field.

Now she is working hard to fixing the weaknesses in her game, ahead of competing in the last major of the season, the British Open, which starts on Wednesday.

“Things have gone well and I’m very happy with the way I’m playing,” she said. “As for the majors, nothing is easy so if you make a mistake you must have patience.

“I try to learn new things every week and build up consistency, working out game plans and sticking to them.”

She is grateful that some of the biggest stars in women’s golf are her compatriots. “I must also thank my elders like Moriya and Ariya Jutanugarn, who have been giving me great advice on many matters,” she said.

“They have helped a lot in my first year on the Tour.”