RICOH WOMEN'S BRITISH OPEN - Turnberry to host 2015 championship

The Ricoh Women's British Open is returning to Turnberry in 2015, it was announced today.

(News release from IMG)

Turnberry's famous Ailsa course was announced today as the venue for the 2015 Ricoh Women's British Open for only the second time in the Championship's history.

Turnberry, the Luxury Collection Resort in Ayrshire and host of the Open Championship on four occasions, was the scene of the Women's British Open Championship in 2002 when Australia's Karrie Webb won this prestigious title for a third time. The stunning location of the Ailsa course makes Turnberry one of the most scenic golf destinations in the world.

A top-quality links, the location of the Ailsa course makes Turnberry one of the most scenic golf destinations in the world.

the Ailsa couse was the scene of the 1977 Open Championship provided the stage for the famous "Duel in the Sun." In brilliant sunshine, Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson went head-to-head over the final two days, with Watson eventually finishing a shot clear of his rival - and 11 shots ahead of the rest of the field.

Turnberry also hosted the Open in 1986, won by Greg Norman,  1994  when Nick Price triumphed and more recently in 2009 when Stewart Cink was the winner.

Webb's triumph at Turnberry in 2002 saw her open with a stunning round of 66 and close the tournament with the same score. She came from three strokes back in the final round to clinch victory with a flawless final round over the Ailsa Course.

 In winning, she became the first player to win the Championship three times.

Next year's Ricoh Women's British Open will be played at Royal Birkdale Golf Club, Lancashire from July 10 to 13.