ENGLISH veteran Dame Laura Davies reckons it would be a "tragedy" if the Ricoh Women's British Open never comes back to Turnberry.

The 51-year-old, one of the UK's most decorated golfers, lines up over the Ailsa Course for a championship that she won back in 1986 at Royal Birkdale.

Turnberry is now owned by American tycoon Donald Trump, but this week's event remains shrouded in controversy following the wild remarks he made about Mexican immigrants during his US Presidential campaign recently.

Trump accused the Mexican government of sending people "who have lots of problems" across the border to the USA and that they are "bringing drugs, they're bringing crime, they're rapists."

Given that Trump's tentacles of influence and investment extend well into the global golfing scene, his comments have left many of the game's governing bodies in a highly awkward position.

The PGA of America has already stated that they will move their Grand Slam of Golf away from one of Trump's courses in the US as a result of his tirade, while the LPGA Tour expressed that they would have preferred not have played the Women's Open at Turnberry.

Davies, who has over 80 wins worldwide, said: "I don't get involved in this side of things, but the PGA of America seem to be taking some of their events away so I am assuming we (the women's bodies) are going to follow suit. That's up to the commissioner and the board.

"But if we don't come back here, it would be a real tragedy because it's such a great place and a great golf course."

In a field of talented youngsters, Davies is one of golf's old timers and she is joined in the draw by Scotland's experienced campaigner, Catriona Matthew.

The North Berwick 45-year-old won the British Open in 2009 at Royal Lytham, and she admits that the Major arena still fires her up.

Matthew said: "It's always special coming back to a tournament that you have won, but when it's a Major it's even more exciting."

Across the country at Muirfield, Haggs Castle's Barry Hume continued his march through the field in the Fairstone Scottish Amateur Championship.

Hume, who won the title in 2001 and was a semi-finalist last year, beat Kieran Cantley of Liberton by 5&4. Williamwood's George Burns set up a tie with top seed Grant Forrest after beating Daniel Elder by two holes.