What will your preparations consist of for St Andrews?

I will be there in June for the St Rule Trophy (Boyd tied for 9th) and will have three rounds on the Old Course so that will help to familiarise things.

I know it can change dramatically with the wind. If it’s calm it can play relatively easy but it also has the pot bunkers so you really have to map your way round the course.

I watched a lot of the 2007 Women’s British Open and I remember Tiger not going in a bunker one of the times he won so that is obviously key.

What is your links experience? 

I play at Truro which is a short parkland course but I’m an honorary member at Trevose so that is linksy and can get windy.

I have played at St Enodoc a lot of times as well. I adapt quite easily to the challenges of links golf and I tend to do OK in the wind but I’ll still need to practise a few shots.

I have a solid all-round game, my long game has improved a lot this year and it is a question of continuing to tidy things up around and on the greens.

How much of a surprise was it to win the British Stroke Play last year?

I had had a good year and won my county championship (for a fourth time) and the South West Ladies so it wasn’t like I hadn’t won.

I had a good first round and was leading after that so I thought to myself that there was no reason why I couldn’t keep going. I wasn’t too nervous and tried to enjoy it as much as possible. It certainly gives you an adrenaline rush playing the last three holes but, looking back, I’d love to do it all again and you want more and more of it.

The first time I asked for an update on the situation was at the 14th and I was two behind Amy Boulden Were you aware of the scores on the last few holes?

The first time I asked for an update on the situation was at the 14th and I was two behind Amy Boulden and she was two holes ahead of me.

Then I asked on the 17th fairway, where I had a 3-wood into a green with a ditch in front so I didn’t know whether to go for it or not. I was then two ahead and so laid up.

On the tee at the 18th I thought I had one shot to play with but going up the hole I found out that she had made bogey and I made a par.

How did you originally get into the game?

I started at 13 and I was off five when I was 15. I don’t come from a very wealthy family so I support myself and I think that has helped me.

Ben Hogan was my hero because of his work ethic; he hit the ball every 20 seconds in practice and nowadays it would be Tiger Woods. Hogan was also my father’s favourite. I practise six hours every day. I left school at 18 after A Levels and got some good grades and I now work evening shifts at the golf club so I can earn some extra money.

Lady Golfer Interviews Lorena Ochoa. Get the full story HERE

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