LPGA stars bracing for St. Andrews, 40 mph winds at Girls’s Open

Prepare for some wild climate on the AIG Girls’s Open this week.

The match returns to the Outdated Course at St. Andrews, which is able to host the very best feminine gamers on this planet but additionally expose them to close gale pressure winds.

Thursday’s first spherical will see gusts attain 40 miles per hour, and maybe even 45 within the afternoon. The forecast additionally requires mild rain within the morning however then the solar ought to come out within the afternoon—an ideal late summer season day in Scotland. Extra of the identical will comply with over the subsequent three days, however the one factor sure concerning the climate at St. Andrews is that it’s all the time unpredictable.

“You simply need to embrace it,” stated Lexi Thompson on Wednesday.

Picture by Morgan Harlow/R&A through Getty Pictures

Picture by Morgan Harlow/R&A through Getty Pictures

“You’re going to get some unfortunate breaks with some bounces, and with the climate you simply need to be like, ‘All proper, I’ve all of it in my bag, I’m prepared, and simply need to decide to the shot as a lot as you may.’ That’s all you are able to do and simply let the wind blow it or the rain take it and simply hope for the very best.”

The brutal climate circumstances go hand-and-hand with hyperlinks golf, the fashion of play that entails hitting the ball low, utilizing the bottom to your benefit, and avoiding the gnarly pot bunkers. Inexperienced speeds are additionally slower on hyperlinks golf programs as a way to fight the excessive wind speeds. Nonetheless, the sort of golf doesn’t exist in the US.

“It’s a distinct inventive facet to golf the place you need to work the ball typically greater than you’re used to while you’re hitting totally different pictures, bumps-and-runs,” added World No. 1 Nelly Korda.

“It’s just a bit bit extra inventive and for me that’s enjoyable to do. So I’ll have numerous enjoyable with it.”

Korda hails from Florida, the place temperatures soare above 90-degrees nearly 12 months spherical. She prefers to play in hotter climate, the place it’s simpler to remain free. But, the two-time main winner has a technique on the right way to fight the circumstances in Scotland.

“It’s truly staying heat and having the ability to really feel my fingers as a result of that’s normally why I’ve gloves, even when it’s probably not essentially too chilly, I stick my fingers within the gloves, and I’ve hand heaters in there,” Korda stated.

“It’s staying heat and free, not tightening up, and having the ability to decide to your pictures.”

That, after all, is simpler stated than executed. However the world’s finest gamers will face a stern take a look at this week at St. Andrews, which is able to depart the golf world entertained.

Jack Milko is a golf workers author for SB Nation’s Taking part in Via. Make sure you take a look at @_PlayingThrough for extra golf protection. You may comply with him on Twitter @jack_milko as effectively.