Bright future for Hudson

Hudson has yet to say when she's turning pro

By BBC Sport Online's Elizabeth Hudson

The future is looking bright for Yorkshire golfer Rebecca Hudson.

The 22-year-old is guaranteed the Smyth Salver as leading amateur in the Women's British Open, just the latest in a long list of awards in a glittering amateur career.

Hudson, the 2000 British Matchplay and Strokeplay champion as well as the 2001 English Amateur winner, has put in some solid golf in her first three rounds at Sunningdale.

Two years ago at Woburn, the member of Wheatley Golf Club in Doncaster made the cut but did not get the leading amateur's title.

This time around, there were no such problems.

I'm only an amateur so it's really a win-win situation for me

  Smyth salver winner
Rebecca Hudson

She got to the halfway point on two under par while Spain's Marta Prieto, the other amateur in the field, missed the cut.

For her opening two rounds, Hudson was drawn alongside veteran American Juli Inkster, winner of six Majors, and Maria Hjorth.

The latter currently tops the Evian Tour Order of Merit, but Hudson wasn't overawed in their company.

"I'd been to the Solheim Cup and seen Juli in action but to be drawn alongside her and Maria was amazing," said Hudson.

"I enjoyed every second of it, although I was quite nervous, but the crowd helped a lot and they were very appreciative.

"As an amateur, there is no pressure on me here.

"If I do well as an amateur it's great, but if I don't, I'm only an amateur, so it's really a win-win situation for me."

Hudson also practised with Helen Alfredsson

While some of the elite in the men's game are frequently criticised for their surly on-course attitude, the same accusation can't be levelled at Hudson.

Her happy and upbeat demeanour makes her a crowd-pleaser, especially in this tournament, and she enjoys entertaining the spectators.

"People are good enough to come here and watch us so I think that they should be entertained, and if they are happy they are very encouraging and positive," she said.

Entering the professional ranks is surely only a matter of time, but Hudson refuses to say when she will take the next logical step.

"It won't be long," she confirmed. "People have been asking me for quite a while and I know in my own mind when I'm going to do it.

Hudson has dominated the amateur tournaments and I think she has the ability to make a very good pro

  BBC golf commentator
Ken Brown

"When it comes down to it I want to enjoy my golf, earn enough to live and live happily - that's not asking for much, is it?" she said.

BBC Sport's golf commentator Ken Brown has watched Hudson throughout her amateur days.

He believes she can help increase the profile of women's golf in Britain.

"We have had some great English golfers like Laura Davies, Alison Nicholas and Trish Johnson," he said.

"But to have another good young player like Rebecca in the professional ranks would be a boost to the game.

"Rebecca is very competitive and although she is not the longest driver, she is quite accurate and is also a very upbeat and positive character.

"She has dominated the amateur tournaments and I think she has the ability to make a very good pro."