World No 1 Stacy Lewis has acknowledged the growing rivalry with Michelle Wie as she prepares to defend her Ricoh British Open title at Royal Birkdale this week. Lewis, who won the championship at St Andrews last year with back-to-back birdies, believes Wie's emergence as a genuine force is beneficial for the sport.
Wie, 24, won her long-awaited first major at the US Open last month and is now ranked sixth in the world. Lewis said: 'I think it's great that people are starting to see Michelle and I as rivals. Rivalries are great for any sport and Michelle definitely moves the needle.'
Wie views the rivalry as friendly but is determined to come out on top. She said: 'I feel very honoured that people are putting me up against Stacy. I don't think you'll find a rivalry where we hate each other because I want her to do well and I think she wants me to do well. But it's fun because we definitely want to beat each other.'
The American pair are among the favourites at Birkdale, which hosts the Women's British Open for the third time. Other contenders include Lexi Thompson, Suzann Pettersen, Lydia Ko and Inbee Park. A youthful British challenge is led by Charley Hull, Holly Clyburn, Stephanie Meadow and Florentyna Parker, while Scottish veteran Catriona Matthew, the 2009 champion, also hopes to mount a strong challenge.
