What was the appeal of golf when you were a youngster?
My dad got me into playing golf when I was around two years old. I used to go with him when he played and I just went along to enjoy it and have fun. There were quite a few juniors on the course, but they were all boys. I actually preferred that because they hit the ball really hard. That encouraged me to hit it firm to keep up with them, in terms of distance. We would just have a lot of fun.
Do you still find golf exciting?
It’s still good fun for me. I like being under that kind of pressure, coming down the last few holes when you’ve got a chance to win. That’s really exhilarating. It’s hard to describe to someone who hasn’t been in that situation. It gets your adrenaline going.
How hard has it been to make a living on Tour?
The purses are much bigger on the LPGA Tour and they are going up and up, which is really good. Golf in Europe is nowhere near as lucrative as it is in America and Asia, so it’s tough for the prize funds to be high because not as many people watch it. It’s hard sometimes to see some girls struggle in Europe, but they still love the game.
When you were starting out the money wasn’t that enticing, so what actually made you turn professional?
I was brought up watching Seve and Tiger so I didn’t really do it for the money, I played because it was fun and I enjoyed it. I like being out in the fresh air on the golf course. It’s good for you mentally. When I was 15 I finished second in a professional as an amateur aged 15, and could have won €30,000. I came away thinking: ‘I’m an amateur and I finished second, so if I could turn professional, I would have earned that much more money’. Back then I didn’t understand the situation, and even before that I didn’t play for money. But it was never money that got me into the game. I think that if you teach a child to play golf because of the money, you’re giving them the wrong mindset. They should play the game for the love of it. You’ve only got one life, so go and do something you enjoy.
I came over to America to compete in the bigger tournaments and against higher ranked players. Obviously, it is great to be playing for larger prize funds but that was not the main attraction.
The LET nearly went under a few years back, but now, with the support of the LPGA, they have turned it around and it’s starting to look stronger.
Events like the Aramco Series have brought not just money but something new, while raising awareness of the ladies’ game, which is brilliant. We played the first-ever women’s event in Saudi Arabia last year and apparently there are quite a few more girls over there now who have taken up golf. So that has created a huge impact in the Kingdom.
What was it like playing in Saudi?
I enjoyed going there. I am respectful, going to any country around the world but the food was great, the people were so welcoming, and I thought it was a very well-run golf event. We were allowed to wear t-shirts, but we weren’t allowed to have our legs on show, which I don’t mind because the climate was hot and I didn’t get a tan on my legs. Which meant I didn’t have to put any sun cream on.
How did you find Royal Greens Course?
I think the holes 15 and 16 along the water were beautiful. It was a challenging course and a good test of golf, especially towards the end when the wind got up. On one of the practice days I hit a wedge into the par-3 16th, and then during one day of the tournament I hit a 5-iron, that is how much the wind comes into effect.
Did you go out an explore Saudi Arabia at all?
Unfortunately, we didn’t get the chance because the rules were very strict during the Covid-19 pandemic. We were lucky to be able to play the event because of everything that was going on globally. It was the same as any LET or LPGA Tour event played last year – you had to be in a strict bubble. But, hopefully, this year we will get to go out and enjoy the scenery.
How are you finding travelling at the moment?
Things are easing up a little bit, especially in the UK, but it can get a bit of a slog. It’s not too bad in the USA, as you don’t have to wear face coverings and we don’t have to test on the LPGA Tour, which is so much easier than it was this time last year.
How do you adapt your game to playing in varying events in different countries like Korea, Saudi Arabia and America?
In different parts of America the ball can behave differently. Recently in New Jersey the ball was going a club shorter, but down the road in Atlantic City it was going my usual distance. So, it’s not necessarily different countries, it’s conditions like the weather, but because I’ve been on Tour so long I think I’m getting used to it by now.
Are you a Trackman fan?
No, I had one for a couple of years but I didn’t like it. On the range, I would be relaxed, but on the course, when the adrenaline kicks in those TrackMan numbers became irrelevant. I don’t use a yardage book when playing, either, I get my caddy to tell me the distance to the front and to the pin, and what lies behind.
What about green books?
It slows people down. I think reading greens is an art and the books should be banned. It’s part of the game. If you’re not a good green reader, you can go on the putting green for a couple of hours and you can understand the way the ball breaks and get the feel for it, and you can learn how to read the greens. It’s an art form.
Bryson DeChambeau ripping it at The 149th Open at Royal St George’s Golf Club.
Bryson DeChambeau is currently moving the needle in the men’s game with his pure strength. How can the Ladies Tours come up with something different and exciting?
I’m not too sure to be honest. I do like watching Bryson and seeing how far he can hit it, but I get quite bored watching men’s golf these days. I’d much rather watch the older players in the 80s and 90s when they used to really draw and fade the ball. These days, players hit it so far that they’re not really having to move the ball much. I feel like the ladies do play a little bit more old school.
It would be interesting to see how everyone would get on if we were only allowed to hit blades – take all those rescue clubs out! I’d like to see how they got on.
Could you beat Bryson from within 100 yards?
I think the men are better, and they have better short games. Someone told me why, but I can’t exactly remember. It’s certain shots around the greens. They have longer leavers and add more spin. With women being normally shorter, they can’t hit the same type of shot, which I can understand. But I believe we hit it straighter than the men!
How instrumental was Catriona as Captain at this year’s Solheim Cup?
I think Catriona Matthew was a brilliant Captain. She didn’t get too involved, she just got straight to the point and let us follow our own routines. I think that’s very important – why come to a team event and change everyone’s week-to-week routine? She was fantastic, probably the best Captain I’d ever had, and so was Liselotte Neumann as well, when we won in 2013. That was my first Solheim Cup. I would 100% per cent say I’m not a team player, and I don’t enjoy team golf. But, everyone gelled this year, as the result showed.
How do you relax with such a full-on schedule?
I like going to the gym a lot, shopping and long dog walks. I have a white German shepherd dog called Bella, and she’s got a cute and mischievous character but I think that’s because I’m always away. I’m also a big foodie, so I like going to different places and trying out new restaurants.
How do you treat yourself?
I like clothes and fashion, so that sort of thing. Georgia Hall and myself went shopping recently and we got matching Prada hats, bags and shoes. You can’t beat a bit of retail therapy with your friends!
Are you a petrolhead? No, I’m useless with cars. I used to have a cage buggy that could roll over. I drove that around my garden and could reach 60mph and do donuts. But the gardener didn’t like it because I was leaving big holes in the ground.
Favourite Golf Course on Tour: Mission Hills in Palm Springs where the ANA Championship was held. Unfortunately, next year is the last time that event will be played there.
Best course in the Middle East: The Majlis at Emirates Golf Club.
Favourite Holiday Destination: It has to be Dubai. I’ll be heading there at the beginning of December with my friends and family. The restaurants are good, it’s always sunny and we can go out and enjoy the water. This time around I’m leaving my clubs at home, we’re only going for four days.
Do you follow any other sports? I like watching football and tennis. Wimbledon is one of my favourite events to watch and attend. I love going there and having the strawberries and cream – and Pimms!
