Davies aiming for Open win and ticket to Hall of Fame

By Larry Fine

BETHLEHEM, Pennsylvania (Reuters) - Briton Laura Davies loves the event, loves the course and would dearly love an unlikely victory at the U.S. Women's Open since it would put her in the LPGA Tour Hall of Fame.

Davies, the 1987 champion, launched the 2009 competition at Saucon Valley Country Club on Thursday with her tee shot at the first hole and went on to birdie that par-five on her way to an opening tally of one-over-par 72.

"This is a golf course I love," Davies, 45, told reporters. "It's probably along with the British Open the best tournament we play in women's golf, so it's just lovely to be here.

"And I need a major win to get in the Hall of Fame. So I'm trying to do a lot of stuff in one week."

Davies knows she is a long shot. This is her 24th successive U.S. Open and she has missed the cut in five of the last six years.

The Briton has 20 career LPGA victories but her last one came eight years ago. Last year she showed she can still compete, winning unofficial events in Australia and Morocco.

"This is probably the best round I've played since Australia," she said.

Davies has two major titles to her credit, counting the 1996 LPGA Championship along with her U.S. Open triumph, but under the complicated points requirements for the Hall of Fame would need two more tournament wins or one more major victory.