Women's British Open heading back to the home of golf

LYTHAM ST. ANNES, ENGLAND - The LPGA got a double dose of good news Wednesday when it was announced the Ricoh Women's British Open would return to the Old Course at St. Andrews in 2013 and that Ricoh had signed on as title sponsor for the major championship through the 2013 event. Ricoh became sponsor of the British Open in 2007 when it became the first women's professional tournament played at the Old Course and was won by Lorena Ochoa.

It was also revealed at Royal Lytham and St. Annes, site of this year's Ricoh  Women's British Open, that the Women's British would be played at Carnoustie for the first time in 2011. Next year's championship is at Royal Birkdale and the 2012 venue has yet to be named.

The St. Andrews and Carnoustie deals are part of EventScotland's 10-year partnership with the Ladies Golf Union and International Management Group to support the Ricoh Women's British Open. The national events agency has committed to the British Open being held in Scotland on at least five occasions between 2011 and 2020.

"We are all thrilled to hear that Ricoh is enjoying their relationship with us as much as we are enjoying our relationship with them," said Paula Creamer, who will be trying to win her first major championship beginning Thursday at Royal Lytham. "Part of the thrill for us of playing in the Ricoh Women's British Open is the amazing historic courses we get to play on and I am so excited that we will be both taking on the fresh challenges of Carnoustie and also returning to the very special St Andrews in 2013."

--* Ron Sirak*