O'MEARA'S PRAISE FOR 'SPECIAL' ROYAL BIRKDALE

Abergele Golf Club’s Becky Brewerton is coming towards the end of her fifth season on the Ladies European Tour. 2008 has certainly been a topsy turvy year for the 25-year-old who has a new caddie, a new coach, a new swing and even a new home.

How would you sum up your 2008 season so far?
BB: It’s been a very different season. My normal trend has previously been to start well and then tire towards the end. This year it’s been the opposite. I started very slowly and it’s only in the last couple of months that I’ve started to play really well. I’ve had top 10 finishes in Italy, Ireland and England recently.

What’s been the highlight of your season so far?
BB: I’d probably say my performances at both the Italian and English Opens. They were the first times this season that I’ve really been in contention, with a chance to win. It’s really nice to be in the last few groups.

You made the cut at last month’s Ladies British Open, but must have been disappointed to finish 74th?
BB: It was a strange week. I shot a two-under round of 70 but had a triple bogey on the seventh. Apart from that one bad hole I really felt as though I played exceptionally well. I was pleased to fight back from three over but also knew I’d missed a really good chance to shoot a really low score. For the other three rounds I didn’t play badly I just struggled to get the pace of the greens. I certainly haven’t lost any confidence.

The crowds were good at Sunningdale. Is it nice to play in front of so many people?
BB: Yes, it’s great. We don’t have that many events that have big followings. Even when I teed off at 7.30am on the final day I just couldn’t believe how many people were there already.

You’ve got a new coach this year, how’s that working out?
BB: Really well. I started working with Simon Coker at the start of the season. I had a good chat with him and he felt I needed to make a couple of changes to my swing in order to move forward. I’ve not had much chance to work on them as it’s difficult to do during tournaments, but I will do this winter.

You based yourself in West London last year to be near Heathrow. Are you still there?
BB: No, I’ve actually moved across to the Swindon area. I’m living in between Bristol and Heathrow airports so it’s still handy for flights. I’m based at The Wiltshire Golf Club so now I can walk out of the front door and there’s a putting green 50 yards away.

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