A recent poll confirmed what has long been suspected. The British obsession with the weather is a fact, meteorological conversations apparently taking place, on average, five times a day. Which is nowhere near how often the subject has come up at St Andrews this week.
With forecasts for the coming days suggesting high winds and regular bouts of torrential rain, the possibility of delays to play in the AIG Women’s Open over the storied Old Course is best described as “high”. “I’ve experienced all kinds of weather already and it’s just Wednesday,” said world No 1 Nelly Korda, neatly summing up what most Americans regard as “typical” Scottish conditions. “This week is clearly going to be a challenge,” confirmed Catriona Matthew, one of the few members of the 144-strong field well used to golfing in wind and rain.
“I’ve downloaded three weather apps and all paint slightly different, but all pretty bleak, pictures. The worst one I saw had wind gusts of 69mph, which is not actually playable. The consensus seems to be sustained winds at about 40mph, which is borderline.
It’s just going to be a battle.” Still, this week is one war Matthew, the winner of this championship at Royal Lytham in 2009, is fighting for a final time. On the eve of what will be her 30th appearance, the Scot, who turns 55 on Sunday, announced her retirement from the championship that provided the highlight of her playing career.
“This will be the last time I play in this event,�.