Katharina Muehlbauer epitomises consistency as the Austrian golfer has finished just outside the top six positions for three consecutive years on the LET Access Series.
Yet this year with one more LET card up for grabs, the 26-year-old from Rutzenmoos is excited for what 2024 will bring.
2023 was a milestone year for Muehlbauer who after 12 top-10 finishes on tour finally got her maiden professional win at Ramside Hall.
Muehlbauer was fast-tracked to final qualifiers after finishing 10th in the 2023 Order of Merit but lost confidence in her game when she walked away without a LET card.
Speaking about her Q School experience, Muehlbauer said: “Tour school was super tough! Before I went, I thought I would get my card, everyone around me said I could do it.
“I flew there knowing I was capable, but I failed, and that was a huge disappointment.
“I needed a long-time off golf to get back to the mindset I used to have. It made a good season bittersweet.”
After taking some well-deserved rest and battling New Year sickness, Muehlbauer is back to full time practice.
Muehlbauer is hard at work indoors due to Austria’s colder climate and focussing heavily on technique and speed training.
“I’m doing weightlifting, jumping, throwing – whatever helps me to get a bit more speed.
“It’s hard work, it’s exhausting every time and I’m hoping it pays off.
“I’m lucky that I don’t train alone but I tell you after that I’m done for the day. It is fun training with others, you can compete a bit.”
The Austrian plans to go to Spain at the end of this month to get used to grass again and play outdoors.
Like many professional players, Muehlbauer is navigating the challenges which come from off-season training.
“Off season is not without its challenges, getting competions and good practice is hard.
“I’m already more than a month indoor, I’m practicing my swing, but I don’t see any ball flights. I can guess it, but it’s not the same as playing on grass.”
“I’ve played two rounds on the Next Tour, it’s great for practice and to get some competitiveness in the off season. It’s harder than I thought it was going to be.
“I really enjoyed it but for me personally, real golf is easier as I’m very good at putting and chipping and the indoor version is not quite like playing outside.”
Muehlbauer plans to play a full season on LETAS, starting with the Terre Blanche Ladies Open, a firm favourite of hers.
“The first event is exciting, I love Terre Blanche. It’s just a nice place to be, it’s very fancy. But it’s great that we have more tournaments in England.
“In England, I’m always playing well. So I can’t wait for the Rose event, it’s a great event every year and the new event, the Women’s Golf Championship.
“It’s great to see that on LETAS the prize fund is rising. It’s not just the main tours, the sub tours are receiving more.
“It’s a step in the right direction. I hope it just continues going forward.”
For 2024, Muehlbauer is focusing on changing her mindset after admitting to being her own biggest critic.
“My mantra for this year is to enjoy it even more and not take it too seriously, if one tournament is not going your way, it’s not the end of the world.
“It may surprise you, but I don’t want to be too focussed on the minor details, I want to see the larger picture.”
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For more information on the LET Access Series, visit letaccess.com and follow @LETAccess on Instagram and Twitter – #RaiseOurGame.
