KIRSTY TAYLOR is looking to go one better than last year in the Weetabix Women's Open Championship, which began at Sunningdale today.

The 30-year-old, who is originally from Clitheroe but is now based in York, finished second at Royal Birkdale 12 months ago and hopes that everything 'clicks' once again to help her win her first major tournament.

"Everybody wants to do well in this competition," she said.

"I had a frustrating week last week at the WPGA Championship of Europe at Royal Porthcawl.

"I made the cut but finished six over par in joint 47th place. But I have been practicing hard this week ready for the Open."

Taylor lies 24th on the Evian Ladies European Tour, with winnings of £16,500 this year, but has never won an Evian Tour event.

"I have had two top 10 finishes this year, at Mottram Hall and in Italy, and of course everyone wants to do well in the Open.

"It is a great tournament to play in.

"Last year was fantastic especially with it being played in Lancashire at Royal Birkdale.

"I shot six under in the final round. It just all clicked, it all came together.

"I'm hoping I can do well here. If you don't go into a tournament thinking you can do well you shouldn't be here."

This the first year the British Open, won last year by Sophie Gustafson, has been classed as a Major, which has attracted a number of top stars from across the Atlantic. It is thought to be the strongest field of any tournament ever held in Britain.

"There will be a lot of Americans over here and a lot of the top Europeans who play over there," said Taylor.

"They have more tournaments to play in so they will be more sharp."

Also hoping to make on impact at the Open is Chorley-based Lora Fairclough.

Fairclough, who lies 30th on the Evian Tour, was due to tee off at 10.30am today and was as excited as ever about playing in the biggest women's tournament in Britain.

"I'm ready and raring to go," said the 31-year-old, who has collected £14,000 in prize money on the tour this year.

"I'm only really setting my stall out to play each shot as it comes and enjoy it."

Fairclough played in her first Open in 1986, as a 16-year-old amateur, and reckons the competition is as tough now as it was then, despite the invasion of LPGA stars.

"I don't think that makes it harder," she said. "It won't be a lower score that wins it, the standard will be no better.

"I think the American players feel obligated to come over here because entry goes off their money list.

"But everyone else wants to compete because it is a great tournament."

Taylor added: "I've thought for a number of years now that we should have had a Major in England, or at least Europe."

"It's always been considered a Major in Europe because it has the tradition and prize money.

"Now that it is a Major I think we will see more and more Americans turning up every year. In the past they had less reason to travel.

"Its new status also shows faith in the Ladies European Tour and will be good recognition for women golfers in Europe.

"I think it's good to make the Americans play in different conditions, on courses where you have to show more imagination. It's not just about target golf."