How I claimed my first win on Tour!

THEY say all good things come to those who wait. Well, I waited – and it was good when it arrived!

Anyone who has followed my column in Lady Golfer over the past few years and the last 12 months in particular will know how much I wanted to break my Ladies’ European Tour duck.

There’s no doubt the fact I hadn’t won on tour was beginning to annoy me. It’s ok everyone saying I was the best player without a title to my name – I just wanted one!

So when victory arrived at Chart Hills in the Ladies’ English Open you can imagine how good it felt. There was a mixture of relief, excitement and satisfaction, although it probably didn’t sink in for a few days afterwards In fact, I’m still smiling as I write this column!

The win was the culmination of many years of hard work, lots of hours on the range and sacrifices from myself, from my parents and even my brother. They were all delighted for me and being able to bring them a moment like that is very special to me.

My parents made sacrifices in terms of time and money to aid my amateur career and it was just so perfect that they were in Kent to see me finally win. They’ve only been to see me twice this season, the other time being in Northern Ireland, so I did feel there was a bit of fate to the whole thing.

My mum has got MS and she did so well this week to walk round three rounds. Her and my dad being there to cheer me on was a real thrill. It was also a fantastic feeling to have two of my closest friends on tour, Dani Masters and Lynn Kenny, there to enjoy the celebrations with.

They stormed on to the 18th green and sprayed me with champagne seconds after my winning putt dropped. It was a waste of good champagne (!) but a terrific moment nonetheless. We’ve grown up on the golf scene – amateur and professional – together and to have them there too was great. I just hope I’m able to do the same for them very soon.

I’ve been asked what made the difference this time between gallant challenger and triumphant victor. I’d point out two aspects. Firstly this was the first time since I led in Tenerife as an amateur that I’d really been out in front coming down the stretch. On the occasions I’d come close, I’d been the one doing the chasing, which is not easy.

Secondly, I just think I enjoyed it! I was determined to relish the fight and feed off the competition. My caddy Fred was great in this regard, saying the right things at the right time. I was calm and lapping up the fact I was in the heat of golfing battle – so I played well.

Shooting a 68 in the final round is something I can be proud of, especially when the chasing pack contained the likes of Karen Stupples and Laura Davies. It’s just typical of me to eventually win when there are two Major champions in the field!
Following 16 top-10s including four runner-up spots, a 68 was a nice way to clinch my maiden win.

I was certainly glad to have a cushion as I boarded the 18th tee. There’s no getting away from it, I don’t like that tee shot. I hit it left the first two days and on the Sunday I overcompensated and hit it right.

I am so glad I won for the first time in Britain. Doing it in Wales might have been No 1 on my list but I love Chart Hills and the LEO. It’s a great tournament and they try really hard to put on a good show. With a bit more backing to get the prize fund up, they would have a very, very good tournament on their hands.

It will obviously always remain very special to me and I hope to return for many years to come and see the event progress. All it needs is a bit more backing and I hope it receives it. The knock-on effect of the win was that I jumped from ninth to fourth place in the European Solheim Cup team qualification list.

Obviously that is a massive thrill because the top five players following the Wales event qualify for the team at Halmstad in September. As I write, we’ve got left are four tournaments – but four huge ones starting with the Evian.

The Women’s British Open carries a lot of points and then there is the Swedish event and finally to Wales. There are still plenty of points still left for other people play for but I’ve given myself a really good chance now.

I won’t be getting ahead of myself but it’s exciting to be in with a chance. By the next time I put pen to paper we’ll have a good idea of how things panned out. Fingers crossed until next time!