Today, the 2019 European Solheim Cup Captain Catriona Matthew and several of the best-known names in women’s golf are at the Buckinghamshire Golf Club near London playing for a place in the US Women’s Open conducted by the USGA, due to take place at Shoal Creek in Alabama from May 31-June 3.

The 36-hole qualifier started at 7am on Monday May 14, with Gemma Clews, Kiran Matharu and Rosie Davies teeing off at the first hole and local player Lauren Taylor going out with Astrid Vayson de Pradenne from the 10th.

Inci Mehmet went out at 7.10am and another local player, Annabel Dimmock, from Denham, started at 7.40am.

Becky Brewerton, who has been practising at the Buckinghamshire in recent days, went out at 7.50am with Chloe Leurquin and Nicole Garcia, followed by Caroline Hedwall, Carly Booth and Michele Thomson at 8am.

Matthew, who was the first to apply when entries opened on March 7, will play together with Mel Reid and Lee-Anne Pace at 8.30am, followed by their second round at 2pm.

The afternoon’s play is expected to conclude at approximately 7.30pm.

“We are excited to see such a strong group of entrants from around the world for the 73rd U.S. Women’s Open Championship,” said Shannon Rouillard, championship director. “To host Alabama’s first U.S. Women’s Open is a historic moment for the USGA and the state of Alabama, and to have such a strong field represented in the championship is fitting.”

The USGA accepted entries for the 73rd U.S. Women’s Open from golfers in a total of 54 countries. Additionally, any player in the top 50 point leaders and ties from the Rolex Rankings as of May 27 not already exempt will be added to the field.

More information about the U.S. Women’s Open, including a variety of ticket options, is available at uswomensopen.com.