Holly Clyburn returns to the scene of her maiden Ladies European Tour victory this week as she tees up in the Deloitte Ladies Open at The International, situated next to Amsterdam’s Schipol Airport, from May 23-25.
Holly came from a stroke behind the second round leader Camilla Lennarth to claim the title by three strokes from fellow English rookie Charley Hull 12 months ago.
The 23-year-old from Cleethorpes, who grew up playing on Lincolnshire’s windy coast, posted rounds of 71, 69 and 71 in Baltic conditions for a winning total of 211, eight-under-par.
She is hoping for a howling wind and rain this weekend, although only a gentle breeze and moderate temperatures are forecast.
“I’d like to defend really well. I really enjoyed the course, felt at home and the conditions did play into my hands,” said the Curtis Cup winner. “It’s playing slightly differently because the wind is totally different this week. I think this year the course has matured and improved and looks really nice. The greens are smooth and rolling well.”
Designed by Ian Woosnam, the former Masters Champion and Ryder Cup Captain, The International will host a Ladies European Tour event for the second time, having opened shortly before the 2013 tournament.
The links-style course is perfect for Holly, who feels that a hot putter will make the difference on the fast and undulated greens.
“My game is really consistent at the moment and I’ve just got to get into my mind that I am a good putter and can finish it off,” she said.
On Monday at Buckinghamshire Golf Club, Holly gave a gutsy performance to qualify for the US Women’s Open. She birdied the last two holes to finish on level par, just inside the top eight places available.
She added: “After doing what I did on Monday afternoon, coming in with three-under and finishing like I did, it’s proven that I can do it and hopefully I can take that with me this week.”
Next month, for the first time, both the men’s and women’s US Opens will be played on the same course in back-to-back weeks at Pinehurst No. 2 and Holly has booked an early trip to take some hints and tips.
“I’m going to go out a few weeks before,” she said. “I’ll watch the men on the weekend and see some friends to get a rough idea of how they play it and what the course will be like for us when we play it straight after. I’m really looking forward to it and it’s the start of good things I suppose. When I was an amateur I played in the US quite a lot and I always played pretty well and my friends said that it suited my game.”
It’s going to be a busy season for Holly, with the US Women’s Open, Ricoh Women’s British Open and a full schedule of LET tournaments in between, but what better way to start the summer than with a second LET victory this week.
