Davies hopes that history will be repeated

Laura Davies will be aiming to turn back the clock and hold off a strong overseas challenge in the Weetabix British Open, which starts here today.

Laura Davies will be aiming to turn back the clock and hold off a strong overseas challenge in the Weetabix British Open, which starts here today.

Davies, the former world No 1 who won her only British Open over the famous Lancashire links in 1986, said: "It's great to be back.

"This is definitely one of the best venues we have ever played and I love the challenge of a links course - I'll actually be able to use my driver a few times this week."

Davies comes into the event out of form after slumping to one of her worst performances of the year at last week's Du Maurier Classic in Canada, where she shot 79 and 83 in the closing two rounds to finish last of the qualifiers.

"I played rubbish and flying home on Sunday night I almost wished I wasn't playing here," Davies said. "But I spent yesterday on the range, shot three under in today's pro-am and I've put a new putter in the bag. Now I'm feeling much better."

Trish Johnson and Scot Janice Moodie, a winner in America last month, are other leading British threats in an event that's boasts an international field, including 37 leading Americans and the world No 1, Karrie Webb, the 25-year-old Australian who has taken a Tiger Woods-type grip on the women's game this year. Webb won the British Open in 1995 and 1997, and if she does lift the £120,000 first prize it would be her eighth victory of an outstanding season.

The American Sherri Steinhauer, who won at Royal Lytham in 1998 and at Woburn last year, is trying to become player to win three times in succession.