Oregon, July 03: Juli Inkster believes she can beat off golf's new generation - and its more established contenders - to retain her US Women's Open title in Oregon.
A record 14 teenagers will contest the championship, starting on Thursday, but Inkster, who turned 43 last month, thinks a third US Open crown - and eighth Major - is within her grasp. "My game feels good and it would be fantastic to win the title for a third time," said Inkster, who won her first in US Open in 1999.
"I actually feel better about my swing than I did coming into the US Open last year so I hope it works out the same way. "I'm a momentum player and it always takes me a little while to get into the season. But I always seem to play better in the summer and over the tougher courses.

"I love the challenge and I still get up every day loving what I do for a living."

Inkster held off Sweden's Annika Sorenstam to win the title for the second time in Kansas last year.

This season, she has won the Corning Classic, while she was tied third in last week's LPGA event in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

World number one Sorenstam starts as favourite at Pumpkin Ridge, Oregon, but South Korea's Se Ri Pak is another strong challenger.

She is aiming for a second US Open to set alongside her win at Blackwolf Run in Wisconsin in 1998.

Pak played the practice rounds with her right wrist in strapping, but she shrugged off any injury scare.

"I tweaked a muscle in practice on Monday, but it's okay - the bandage is really just a precaution."

Britain's Laura Davies, the 1987 champion, will tee off alongside Sorenstam and Pak.

She is one of a strong contingent of 11 British players, including Alison Nicholas, who won the title over the same course six years ago.

Davies said: "We're off early and it's fantastic to be paired with Annika and Se Ri.

"They are two of the most likely winners, so if I can hang on to their coat tails over the first two rounds then I must have a chance at the weekend."

Bureau Report