It has been slim pickings on the Ladies European Tour of late. The fact there hasn’t been a tournament to play in for the regular members in almost three months has left many gazing at the kind of bare cupboards not seen since Old Mother Hubbard made a futile rummage in her pantry.

Kelsey MacDonald is one of the many who has been left kicking her heels and waiting to get back into action. Trying to keep the competitive edge sharp during this enforced hiatus, which prompted one anonymous player to suggest that the women’s circuit in Europe is on the brink of collapse, has not been an easy task. It’s an expensive one too.

The tournament scene swung into action again this week but there are not many budget flights to Thailand. Needs must, though.

With the US Women’s Open in Bedminster on her schedule this week, MacDonald desperately needed some form of robust preparation. When you are building up for a major championship, you need to do a bit more than merely hit a few balls at the driving range after all.

“It’s not ideal having to go all the way to Thailand and then get to the USA but I just have to play competitive golf,” said MacDonald. “You have to play in what you can as there is not much this year. I’m trying to stay positive and hoping it will be OK.”

The lack of playing opportunities in the first half of the season has led to MacDonald taking up a part-time post as a caddie at Loch Lomond to subsidise her income. A professional sportswoman on Europe’s premier circuit for women having to seek other forms of employment is something of a damning judgment on the current set-up. There is one benefit.

“Being a caddie there allows me to play the sister course at Dundonald quite a bit which is obviously hosting the Ladies Scottish Open in a couple of weeks,” she added of the domestic showpiece which is now co-sanctioned with the LPGA Tour and boasts one of the biggest purses of the season.

The US Open is foremost in MacDonald’s mind, though. The 26-year-old, who earned her place in the field through the European qualifier at The Buckinghamshire along with compatriot Carly Booth, made her major debut in the US event three years ago at Pinehurst. It was a tough introduction to the rigours of golf at the highest level and an 86 and a 82 led to her missing the cut.

“At Pinehurst you had to hit a certain shot which was spin from left to right on the greens for the ball to hold but three years ago every shot I hit was right to left spin which meant I couldn’t hold it on any greens and that caused a huge problem for me,” she reflected. “It really identified to me that I had to be able to play both shots so I worked really hard with my coach to make sure I had that shot in the bag. I know the rest of my game is more than good enough to perform on that stage, it was just the approach play.

“It’s a huge opportunity for me to showcase where my golf is at and I know one week can change your life and your career if you play well. I see myself playing in the US in the future so if I can perform at the US Open I’ll feel even more comfortable about going for my LPGA card at some stage.”

This week’s event takes place at Trump National in New Jersey and there are concerns that the controversial President will pitch up and whip up the kind of circus that will overwhelm everything taking part on the course. MacDonald refuses to be drawn into any political hoopla.

“There’s always going to be some controversy around him politically but in terms of golf, every course he has designed or has been involved has been fantastic,” she admitted. “Turnberry is unbelievable, I can’t even remember the old layout, it’s so good now. I just try to think of the golf courses.”

In a major championship, there’s usually plenty to ponder.