Kerr eyes U.S. Open title defense with confidence

By Mark Lamport-Stokes

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Cristie Kerr has a good feeling about next week's U.S. Women's Open in Edina, Minnesota where she will defend the title she won last year at Southern Pines, North Carolina.

Although the third women's major of the season will be staged on the longest course in the tournament's history, the 30-year-old American loves the Interlachen Country Club layout.

"It's one of my favorite golf courses," said Kerr, who was drawn on Friday with world number one Lorena Ochoa and U.S. women's amateur champion Maria Jose Uribe of Colombia for the first two rounds.

The trio are scheduled to tee off at 0733 local (1233 GMT) in Thursday's opening round.

"I said to my caddie last year, if I'm going to win an open, I'm going to win at Pine Needles or Interlachen or both. So I've got the first part of that."

Twelve months ago, Kerr clinched her 10th LPGA title with a two-stroke victory, holding off Ochoa and Brazil's Angela Park with a one-under-par 70.

Next week, she will have to contend with a par-73 layout playing to a maximum of 6,789 yards.

"It's different, for sure," said Kerr, speaking at a media day for the U.S. Women's Open. "But I have that feeling in my belly, which I had last year. I've always loved this golf course (Interlachen) and I've always loved Pine Needles.

"They're a similar feel. Interlachen will play very long and difficult and demanding. You've got to have every shot in the bag.

AVOIDING PRESSURE

"I'm going to just try not to put too much pressure on my self," added Kerr. "I'm going to try to take care of the things I know how to take care of.

"I am defending, yes, but it's a brand-new championship and everybody's up for it. I've got to approach it just like I did last year."

Kerr accepts most eyes will be on Mexican Ochoa, who has won an incredible six times in nine starts on the 2008 LPGA Tour.

Ochoa clinched her second successive major title at the Kraft Nabisco Championship in April but was denied a hat-trick when she tied for third at last month's LPGA Championship.

"It's pretty amazing," Kerr said of the long-hitting Mexican. "Couldn't happen to a nicer person. She's very dominant, she's hitting it longer this year than she did last year and she's more consistent.