Dutch player, Nikki Hofstede was crowned the crowd’s sweetheart yesterday after she secured her first top 10 on the Lades European Tour (LET) at this year’s Dutch Ladies Open.
The 22-year-old carded rounds of 68, 71 and 71 to finish tied seventh on six-under-par, her highest finish on the LET so far to become the best Dutch player in the field.
After spending last season out of action due to a painful occult ganglion cyst, this result was a defining moment for Hofstede.
Speaking about the week, Hofstede said: “It means a lot. After the year I had last year, coming back has been so great and I’m so happy to see the progress I’ve made.
“Coming into this week, my coach and I discussed that top 20 would be a realistic and good goal for the week.
“After a great opening round and sitting in the top 10 from the start, I am over the moon to keep it there and finish 7th.
“It gives me a lot of confidence and also shows me that we’re on the right track and working on the right things.”
Hofstede has played her 2024 season primarily on the LET Access Series (LETAS) and currently sits seventh after consistent solid play.
The Dutch player has secured two top 10 finishes including a runner up position at the AMUNDI Czech Ladies Challenge.
The Dutch Ladies Open was Hofstede’s first time playing at home and it will be a week she’s unlikely to forget.
“It was my first time playing at home and I’ve heard so many stories of other girls about it being the best experience ever.
“Honestly, after this week I feel there are no words to describe the feeling. There were crowds all week, but during the final round I had multiple goosebump-moments.
“There’s a lot of best memories! On the seventh I hit my hybrid to 11 feet on a par five and that was the first time I got a little emotional. The reaction to everyone watching was incredible.
“Finishing off on 18 after a good chip and dropping four feet for birdie, I guess my reaction said it all. It almost felt like I won the tournament! A memory I will cherish forever.
“After hitting my chip on the 18th green, I started to tear up and felt so supported and appreciated. It was an experience unlike any other. Being able to inspire your home crowd goes beyond me.“
Hofstede now has a week to prepare for the next LETAS tournament, the Smorum Ladies Open in Denmark.
Having played the course before, Hofstede is excited to return and put all the lessons she learn’t from last week into a new one.
“I’m super excited for Denmark! I love the course, so I look forward to playing again. I think Mike (my caddie last week and my boyfriend) and I had a very clear plan for every shot.
“This is something I’ve been working on, but discussing it out loud makes it a little bit easier. Definitely taking that clear approach with me.
“Apart from that I feel like I did what I have been doing all year so far. So just sticking to my process, making a clear plan, keeping my head in the game, and enjoying every step along the way!”
Two other LETAS invites to the tournament made the cut; Sweden’s Kajsa Arwefjall and Hofstede’s friend and colleague, Marit Harryvan.
LETAS next returns at the Smorum Ladies Open in Denmark on the 2nd of August.
In the meantime, follow all the action throughout the tournament on the LETAS social media channels – @letaccess on Instagram, X, and Ladies European Tour Access Series on Facebook – #RaiseOurGame #Access2Let #EnjoyTheGame.
