By Michael Pavitt |
Weather conditions are expected to play a factor as golfers prepare to begin their pursuit of the US Women’s Open title at Shoal Creek.
The course in Birmingham, Ala., has been impacted by Subtropical Storm Alberto in the days leading up to the major.
It led to practice being canceled yesterday, with players delayed in heading out to the course today.
Competition is set to begin as planned tomorrow, despite concerns from players that mud could impact their balls during their rounds.
Organizers are not expected to allow players to lift and clean mud off their ball before replacing it.
The conditions look likely to add another element of intrigue to the opening day of the four-day tournament.
South Korea’s Park Sung-hyun will begin as the defending champion at the event, which is the oldest of the five majors on the Ladies Professional Golf Association tour.
She could face competition from her compatriot Inbee Park, the current world number one.
Park will be seeking to win the title for the third time in her career, having previously triumphed in 2008 and 2013.
The United States’ Lexi Thompson will hope to make an impact in front of a home crowd.
The world number three claimed her only major to date, the ANA Inspiration, back in 2014.
Canada’s Brooke Henderson and Thailand’s Ariya Jutanugarn could also be among the contenders for victory.
The tournament is taking place earlier this year, having been moved from its traditional July timeslot.
Republished with permission from insidethegames.biz.