It’s been a quite a year for amateur golf in Great Britain and we asked some our leading players what were their stand-out moments and also asked them to look ahead to 2022
‘I managed to keep my nerve and chip left of the tree, hitting the small bank and the ball rolled to 10 feet from the hole’
1) Your best round of the year and why?
My best round of the year would be at the English Girls on the final day (round 4). I went out for my second 18 holes of the day knowing I was joint leader. I didn’t really feel much pressure teeing off the first, I just played my own game. I didn’t know any of the scores as I wasn’t playing with any of the leaders at the time. I made two birdies on the back nine hitting each shot to a foot… making it a bit easier. On the 16th I hit my putt 6 feet past, leaving me a pressure putt back for par to keep the lead by one shot. I missed a three-foot putt on 17 for birdie and only needed a par on 18 to win by one shot. I had only just checked my phone to see I was leading, while standing behind an oak tree green side after hitting my second shot on a par five. I managed to keep my nerve and chip left of the tree, hitting the small bank and ball rolled to 10 feet from the hole. Just skimming the hole for birdie, I left myself a one-foot putt for the win.
2) Your best shot of the year and why?
My best shot was at the St Rule Trophy. On a par five I was 60 metres away in two. It was extremely windy and I was aiming to pitch within six feet for a chance of a birdie. The ball kept rolling towards the hole, breaking right and I watched it drop straight in for an eagle.
3) The best shot you saw and why?
Jordan Spieth’s shot at the Ryder Cup when he was down that bank and had such a steep lie. When he hit it, it sent him sprinting down the hill. This was the best shot I’ve seen as it makes me think that anything can happen. If you’re in the worst position possible you still have a chance to turn it around and that’s what that shot showed me.
4) Your favourite moment of 2021 (this could be personal or something completely random but golf related)?
My winning putt on the 18th at Malton and Norton to win the English Girls and straight after when my teammates chucked a load of water on me. There was a great feeling of relief and excitement that I had finally done it and achieved one of my main goals.
5) Your hopes and ambitions for 2022?
I have many hopes and ambitions. I want to win the British Girls. I hope to understand my swing completely, so that I can create different types of shots under pressure. I want to learn as much as I can from my coach before I leave for America and create an ever bigger understanding for the game out in the States. I want to carry on improving my short game as I think this is one of the most important parts of golf as it is one of the deciders of a dropped shot or a missed birdie opportunity. At the moment I am getting 47.5% of my chips to six feet or less and I also want to improve my average putts per round. Currently I am averaging 30.91 and I can save three shots per round if I bring my average down to 28.
6) One thing you would change about about golf for next season?
I would like to see more women’s golf televised. Women’s golf is hugely increasing now and to televise more of it could influence many young children to play as I know it influences me a lot to go and practice.