Golf: Emotional rollercoaster for Brooky

New Zealand's Lynnette Brooky broke down in tears during the opening round of the British Open golf championship in England today as preparations were underway in Wellington for her mother's funeral.

Only a few hours before her mother Margaret's funeral, Brooky broke down at the 16th hole, then regathered herself and went on to shoot a one-over-par 73.

She was seven shots off the lead set by American Juli Inkster after the opening round of the £1.05 million ($NZ3.21 million) event at the Royal Lytham near Blackpoool.

Brooky, 38, had been home to visit her mother before returning to Britain last Saturday.

She said her mother, who died on Monday after a long battle with cancer, wanted her to play.

"I knew it was going to be emotional, I was expecting it but I managed to carry on," she told NZPA.

"I know mum wanted me to keep strong.

"I'm glad to be out here, my family wants me to be out here, I want to be out here but tonight's going to be very hard for me because mum's getting buried this morning in New Zealand.

"I'm just going to sit down with my caddy and a couple of friends, have one drink and a nice meal and hopefully have a good sleep."

Brooky said she had spent about 40 minutes with one of her coaches instead the normal 20 minutes before tee off today.

"I had a straight drive into the trees and it was really tough -- I thought ' here we go'.

"I managed to get a bogey but from there I managed to play really well.'

"It's been very tough since I got back here (Britain) from New Zealand. You really can't think of anything else when you lose your mum, so it has been pretty difficult," Brooky said.

"When I got to the 16th I turned around to my caddy and said to him 'you'd better start speaking to me' because I was getting choked up. It was the first time my caddy never had anything to say to me and everyone just started to have a little laugh which got me going again.

"But after the 18th I got down a little when a couple of girls came and gave me a hug. I just had a little cry. It's all very touching but I'm glad to be out here, my family wants me to be here."

Brooky said she knew her mum was supporting her as usual.

"Hopefully she'll come and give me a hand with a few putts. Today I actually chipped in one hole and I turned around and said 'thanks mum'. That's when I had some emotions come over me so I walked away quickly and just regrouped. It's very tough but very loving as well out there and she's still with me -- I can feel it. I also know my family's with me -- when you have those thoughts it's very comforting."

Brooky said she had one of her best rounds at the course today and it was all about making sure the ball remained on the green with the approach shot.

"Here it really comes down to good putting and getting the ball into the green otherwise it will just run off into the bunkers on the sides -- you know links course, when it gets dry it just gets running.

"You just have to be positive and trust yourself out there, I'm playing every shot out there for my mum so I won't give up. You never know what will happen."

- NZPA