Scot Catriona Matthew eyes British Open defence

Ricoh Women's British Open
Dates: 29-July-1 August Coverage: Live on BBC HD and BBC Two every day , live leaderboard on the BBC Sport website

Matthew stormed to victory at the British Open last year at Royal Lytham

Defending champion Catriona Matthew is in confident mood as she prepares for the Women's British Open at Royal Birkdale, which begins on Thursday.

The 40-year-old became the first Scottish woman to win a major when she took the title at Royal Lytham in 2009.

And despite finishing joint 23rd at the Evian Masters in France at the weekend, a flawless final-round 67 has Matthew in buoyant mood.

"I really like Birkdale and my game feels good," she said.

However, Matthew will have her work cut out if she is to make a successful defence of her crown and capture a second major title, with a host of top names out for glory this weekend.

South Korea's Ji Yai Shin goes into the tournament as firm favourite after regaining the world number one ranking with victory in France while compatriot Na Yeon Choi and Japan's Ai Miyazato are also widely tipped for success.

American Cristie Kerr, however, has the added incentive of knowing that a triumph this weekend will see her leapfrog Shin in the rankings.

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Who is your tip for glory at Royal Birkdale?

Kerr, the 2007 US Women's Open champion, became the first American to hold the number one spot following a record 12-shot victory in the LPGA Championship in Rochester in June.

But the 32-year-old slipped back to world number three after just three weeks at the top, prompting her to say: "I definitely want to finish the year as world number one.

"It is very important to me. I am a proud American and I want to be the number one player but I know I'll need a couple more tournament wins.

"I love the British Open. The links courses are so different and it is a great challenge. I remember playing here at Birkdale in 2005 [she finished joint fifth] and the weather was really bad. I hope it is better this week, but the wind always helps to make it interesting."

Miyazato, meanwhile, is also keen to end 2010 as number one having also occupied the position in the last three months.

I can't wait to play the British Open, because I know what it takes to win

Paula Creamer

The Japanese star, who enjoying a third-placed finish at Royal Lytham last year, said: "I always love the week at the British.

"The courses are so different and you have to conjure up different shots but it is good fun."

Another American, Paula Creamer, is also in fine form as she goes into the tournament on the back of victory at the US Women's Open at Oakmont just over a fortnight ago.

"I feel like my whole career, it's always been about majors," said 23-year-old Creamer. "That was the one thing I didn't have.

"And now that I do, I only want more. It's like opening a can of worms. I can't wait to play the British Open, because I know what it takes to win."

This year's British Open will be the first to be screened in high definition by the BBC.