Defending champion, IK Kim and 2009 Champion, Catriona Matthew, have both confirmed that they will be at Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club from 2 – 5 August for the 42nd edition of the Ricoh Women’s British Open.

Both were fairy-tale winners for different reasons. IK Kim banished the agonising memory of missing a one foot putt that would have won her the ANA Inspiration in 2012, (formerly Kraft Nabisco) claiming the 2018 Ricoh Women’s British Open at Kingsbarns with every member of the golfing community delighted to see this popular player finally close out her first Major championship.

Catriona Matthew’s winning story was, perhaps, even more noteworthy. She arrived at Royal Lytham in 2009 a mere 11 weeks after giving birth to her second child. While many new mums would be unable to contemplate even a trip to the practice range, this unflappable Scot calmly went on to win her first Major title at Royal Lytham, an achievement unrivalled in women’s sport.

With the Championship returning to Royal Lytham for the first time since Matthew’s win and for a fifth time in the history of the tournament, the field is anticipated to be the strongest and most international of the year.

Recently appointed Solheim Captain for The 2019 match at Gleneagles, Matthews commented: “Looking back it is almost surreal to think that I managed to win the Ricoh Women’s British Open not even three month after giving birth to Sophie. Obviously, I have the best of memories from that week and I am delighted that we are back there this summer. Winning aside, Royal Lytham is always a fabulous host to the Championship with the club members all getting behind the tournament and the crowds in the North West are definitely amongst the best we encounter at any of the Major venues.”

IK Kim added: “Winning the Ricoh Women’s British Open at Kingsbarns was the most exciting moment of my career so far. Although I am proud of myself for not letting what happened to me in 2012 define my career, I definitely feel that winning the Ricoh Women’s British Open last year finally banished the last painful memories from 2012 and replaced it with very happy memories. My first Women’s British Open was at St Andrews and, although I loved playing there, I wasn’t too sure I was ever going to master links golf. I think it made the win at Kingsbarns even better because I managed to do it on such a challenging course and with some really tough weather conditions. I dream about the moment in August at Royal Lytham when I am announced on the tee at the defending champion.”

Final-Qualifying for the 2018 Ricoh Women’s British Open will take place at St Annes Old Links Golf Club on Monday 30th July.

The Ricoh Women’s British Open was founded by the Ladies’ Golf Union in 1976 and has been staged in conjunction with IMG, a global leader in sports, events, media and fashion, since 1984. The event has been co-sanctioned by the LPGA and LET since 1994, and gained Major status in 2001.

Ricoh, a global technology company specialising in office imaging equipment, production print solutions, document management systems and IT services, has been the title sponsor of the Ricoh Women’s British Open since 2007.