EXCLUSIVE: Booth excited for

For every British golfer, playing in the home major is a goal they all aspire to. And not many can say they made their debut in a town so close to their heart.

Speaking exclusively to Golfmagic ahead of this week’s Ricoh Women’s British Open at Royal Liverpool, Carly Booth says she couldn’t have wished for a better stage to make her first appearance in the competition.

Although Booth was born and resides in Comrie, Scotland, the 20-year-old’s family on her mother Pauline’s side hails from the Merseyside city and are all die-hard fans of Liverpool Football Club.

“It’s a perfect first British Open for me and it’s going to be a very special week for me,” she tells us.

“I have my mum and brother down with me and with having most of my family living in Liverpool. I will have a lot of support this week.

Booth has taken the Ladies European Tour by storm this season with two victories already and she currently tops the LET Order of Merit. But form and sentiment will count for nothing this week when she’s tackling the tricky Hoylake links.

“I am very excited for the week ahead but I plan to just go out there, enjoy it, have fun and do my best,” she adds. “I have played the course a few times over the years and it is a great venue.

“A lot will depend on which way the wind is blowing – and the course can be a different challenge every day, depending on the weather.

“But it’s going to be a great week no matter what happens.”

Booth finished in a tie for 18th at last week’s UNIQA Ladies Golf Open in Austria and is looking to maintain her position on the Order of Merit, where she currently leads by more than €12,000 over Caroline Masson with just a handful of events to go.

“My goal is to finish this season at the top of our Order of Merit. I will do my best to stay there. It really would be a great achievement if I can hold on.

“I’m pretty happy with my game right now. I was hitting it nicely last week in Austria and can’t wait to get started.”

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