After two years as a professional golfer on the Epson Tour, Antonia Malate wanted a fresh challenge.
The 25-year-old American set her sights on Europe, achieving her LET and LET Access Series (LETAS) status through Q-School in Morocco last December.
“It’s been really cool to be in different places and enjoy different cultures,” she said. “I think just being out here has been really refreshing, helped me to be really present out here while enjoying golf.
“It’s just been travelling and flying to different places every week. I actually took the train from the first Sweden event to this one, so it’s a lot of different travel styles.
“I was like alright, might as well go out there and see what Europe has to offer, travel the world and find a good part of myself in my game that will help me continue my career.”
Now with four LETAS tournaments under her belt, Malate is getting used to the demands of the Tour.
She broke new ground at last week’s PGA Championship by achieving her career-best finish, coming in a tie for fifth place.
“I think it really helped me bring some positives going into this week,” she said. “I had a strong last round to finish off that tournament, it was really nice.
“It was just overall hitting the ball really well and getting some shots pretty close which helped me convert the birdies.”
Growing up in Seaside, California, Malate, who has a Master’s degree in sports media and broadcasting, had never been to Europe before competing on the LETAS.
“The best part has been travelling with my friends. We’ve gone to some really cool places. We were in Prague, we were in France, so it was really nice to see those cultures and experience them.
“I think this is a great outlet for me to help further my game, play different golf courses and just be ready in all aspects of my game.
“The LET is a really strong tour, so being out here and playing against this competition will help me get ready (to play on the LPGA Tour).”
