KIM Rostron is set to face the women's equivalent of Justin Rose in the highlight of the amateur golf world's calendar.

Jenny Chausiriporn set last month's tournament alight when, playing as an amateur, she forced professional Se Ri Pak into an 18-hole play-off.

Chausiriporn lost out but, unlike Rose, has retained her amateur status in order to play in this weekend's Curtis Cup in Minneapolis.

And Rostron's victory in the British Women's Amateur Championship earned her own selection for the eight-strong Great Britain and Ireland squad.

Her team are confident of retaining the Curtis Cup in Minneapolis - but know that America have every intention of wresting back the biggest prize in women's amateur golf.

The British and Irish team have notched up only six victories since the inception of the event in 1932, but they have dominated affairs since 1986, having won four, shared one and lost just one.

At the last tournament in Killarney the home team were winners by a convincing five-game margin.

Preparations have been intense for the Clitheroe star.

Following a week's training in Spain, Kim spent five days at Loughborough University using specialised equipment designed to mimic the high temperatures and humidity. And, after the televised tension of tomorrow and Sunday, Rostron has another pressing engagement with the US Ladies' Open Amateur Championship at Barton Hills.

The 24-year-old, though, is focused on the immediate task of retaining the Curtis Cup.

She said: "I will be a bit nervous when I stand on the first tee.

"It will be the pinnacle of my career.

"The outcome will be decided on the greens and, if we get used to them quickly, we will do very well.

"We have a good squad of players but the Americans are on home soil and will have all the support."

Great Britain and Ireland captain Ita Butler added: "We have an excellent team spirit. The girls love the course and are all playing well, so we will tackle the match as well prepared as we can possibly be."

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