After skipping the Swedish swing, Bel Wardle is back home competing at the Women’s English Open on the LET Access Series (LETAS).
The English golfer, 26, had struggled with a left elbow injury over the past years but has put her injury woes behind her in 2026.
Wardle followed up a tied-sixth finish at the LETAS season-opening Madaef Golfs Ladies Open with runners-up finish at the Ladies German Challenge; the closest she has ever come to a first professional win.
“It has definitely been tough,” she said. “It was some nerve damage in my left elbow, I had a couple of years where I was like, oh, I’m not sure I’ve still got it.
“But I’ve done a lot of work, I’ve had a great team around me at home that have brought my confidence back up and I definitely feel in the best place I’ve felt for a number of years.”
This week, Wardle, who grew up in Macclesfield, will have the company of her family and friends who will be coming out to support her.
“I’ve got my coach on the bag,” she said. “That’ll be kind of nice to have him there, see how I’m doing and it’s almost that comfort blanket as well.
“I’m as comfortable as I’m gonna feel on a golf course seeing friends and familiar faces.”
Just three weeks ago, Wardle came within touching distance of winning in Wuppertal, Germany, when she finished two shots behind eventual winner Moa Svedenskiold.
“It was very nearly, and it was great to be back with a chance to win,” she said. “It got the heart going, I was like, oh my God, I could maybe win this.
“I’ve had a couple of years where I’ve not been on my game, so to feel like I’ve got a bit of consistency coming into this event is definitely exciting.”
Wardle’s journey into golf began at the age of 10, when her dad took her to girl group sessions at Prestbury Golf Club.
While she played many different sports, with a particular interest in tennis, Wardle decided to focus on golf when she turned 13.
Currently 13th in the Order of Merit standings, Wardle is aiming to finish in the top seven to clinch her LET card for the 2027 season.
“Top five would be amazing this week,” she added. “I live about half an hour from here. We do so much travelling, so it’s just nice to not only be in England but actually be able to stay at my house,”
