Women's golf: The 2014 Major championship venues
Women’s British Open
Royal Birkdale – July 10-13
What you need to know: This will be the sixth time that Birkdale has staged the championship, the last two times as a Major. This prestigious links has also held nine Open Championships and two Ryder Cups, one of only four clubs – Southport & Ainsdale, Lytham and The Belfry being the others – to have staged multiple matches in the competition.
The tournament’s history: The WBO only became a Major in 2001. Since then both Yani Tseng, who won the last Open at Birkdale, and Jiyai Shin have a pair of victories while Catriona Matthew and Karen Stupples remain the only British winners.
What happened in 2013: Stacy Lewis came through 36 holes on the Sunday at St Andrews to capture her second Major. The key moment came when she birdied the Road Hole 17th and she followed it up with another at the last. The win ended a run of 10 winless Majors for the Americans.
US Women’s Open
Pinehurst No. 2 – June 19-22
What you need to know: Pinehurst will hold the men’s US Open and then the Women’s the week after. This will be a first.
The history: The oldest women’s Major and the only event to have been recognised by the LPGA since it was founded in 1950. Mickey Wright and Betsy
Rawls have four wins.
What happened in 2013: The third of Park’s incredible start to the year and another four-shot victory. Park led after the second round.
The women’s equivalent to the Masters – it’s the opening Major of the season, is played at the same course every year and has its own traditions – like the winner’s jump into Poppie’s Pond. Kraft Nabisco
Mission Hills GC – April 3-6
What you need to know: The women’s equivalent to the Masters – it’s the opening Major of the season, is played at the same course every year and has its own traditions – like the winner’s jump into Poppie’s Pond.
The history: The Kraft became a Major in 1983. Annika Sorenstam, Betsy King and Amy Alcott have won it three times each but we are still waiting for our first British winner.
What happened in 2013: The first of Inbee Park’s three on the spin. The Korean began the final round three ahead and ended up winning by four.
LPGA Championship
Monroe Hill GC – August 14-17
What you need to know: A change in date from its traditional June date and a change of venue. After four years at Locust Hill we move to Monroe GC in New York.
The History: Has had Major status since 1955, Wright has also won this four times. Sorenstam captured a hat-trick from 2003.
What happened in 2013: Another 36-hole final day and another Park triumph, this time after three holes of a play-off against Scotland’s Catriona Matthew.
The Evian Championship
Evian Resort GC – September 11-14
What you need to know: Became a Major last year with a new name after a history of being called the Evian Masters. Has the game’s biggest purse along with the US Open.
The history: Began in 1994 when Helen Alfredsson won, the first of three successes. Remains Natalie Gulbis’ sole victory.
What happened in 2013: Suzann Pettersen ended a fine year with a two-shot win over amateur Lydia Ko in a tournament reduced to three rounds.
