Woodbridge to the Open rescue for Aussie golf ace
The one-time Australian junior tennis champ will have Zara Woodbridge, the former golf-star daughter of Todd, on her bag when she hits off for Thursday's opening round at Royal Porthcawl in Wales.
Ruffels freshened up for this month's Evian Championship, where she led into the final round before finishing tied for ninth, with a day out at Wimbledon.
Now the 24-year-old will team up once more with Woodbridge at golf's final major of 2025.
"It is nice to have Zara on the bag," Ruffels said ahead of her 5.53pm (AEST) first-round tee time.
"I saw her for the first time in a year and a half, maybe a couple years at Wimbledon. I didn't really have a caddie lined up for this week. It's been kind of a weird year for me with caddies.
"I was like, 'What are you doing this week?' And she is like, 'Yeah, I'm not doing much'. I'm like, 'Well, do you want to come caddie the British Open?' And she said yes.
"So it's great to have her here." A quick study in golf after switching from tennis, winning the US Amateur and then boasting top-15 finishes in her first two majors in 2020, Ruffels is one of the least experienced Australians with links golf, but believes what she has learnt will hold her in good stead.
"This is my second British Open and fourth time playing links golf, with the two Scottish Opens, so I haven't played it too much, but I've had a little bit of practice with it maybe in Australia at the Dunes Medal," Ruffels said. "But I like to be creative. I'm a feel player and I like to experiment with different flights and stuff."
Winners of the past two majors, Ruffels' fellow 24-year-old Grace Kim and superstar Minjee Lee, along with Perth stablemate Hannah Green also have morning starts.
Still ranked 11th in the world after hitting No.5 following a three-win 2024 season, Green is flying under the radar somewhat.
"It was always going to be hard because I had a very successful year last year," Green said.
"I've missed a couple cuts this year in major championships and they're ones that I don't typically.
"I feel like sometimes I put too much pressure on myself.
"But I actually really enjoy playing links golf, I enjoy the challenge. I feel like a couple of years I've perhaps had a rougher side of the draw than there has been.
"But I'm actually really enjoying Porthcawl's course so far, so that really helps me having a positive attitude coming into the week.
"Aussie golf is obviously in great hands at the moment. I'm sure Gracie and Minjee are both still on cloud nine from their wins earlier in the season.
"But maybe another Aussie on the trophy would be very cool as well."
FIRST-ROUND TEE TIMES FOR AUSTRALIANS AND OTHER NOTABLE PLAYERS AT THE WOMEN'S BRITISH OPEN (all times AEST):
5.09pm: Grace Kim, Ruoning Yin (CHN) 5.31pm: Minjee Lee, Jeeno Thitikul (THA), Charley Hull (ENG) 5.42pm: Hannah Green 5.53pm: Gabriela Ruffels 6.31pm: Kirsten Rudgeley 7.26pm: Karis Davidson 9.54pm: Lydia Ko (NZL), Lottie Woad (ENG) 10.16pm: Nelly Korda (USA) 10.32pm: Steph Kyriacou 11.49pm: Hira Naveed 12.22am (Friday): Cassie Porter
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