Emma Goddard
England’s Emma Goddard is entering this week’s event in a relaxed frame of mind at the thought of defending her title, in the Ribeira Sacra Patrimonio de la Humanidad International Ladies Open at Augas Santas Balneario & Golf Resort in Spain.
Goddard recorded her first win on the LET Access Series a year ago but has not had the best of starts to this year’s season. The 27-year-old from Liverpool is hoping for a return to form this week, and looking forward to the challenge on the intricate Augas Santas course.
“It’s strange, being back is nice and getting to play the same golf course again. It’s different, I’ve defended county championships, it’s not the same it’s a nice feeling. I feel more relaxed, I’ve not had the best of seasons but I feel a lot more relaxed. I’ve had a bit of a dodgy year overall so there’s no pressure, it just nice and chilled hopefully,” Goddard commented.
Players from 25 different countries will compete this week, with a strong contingent of Spanish competitors in the field of 114, including Carmen Alonso and Noemi Jimenez, both winners on the LET Access Series this year.
There are 14 past winners also teeing it up, including Mireia Prat of Spain and France’s Marion Duvernay, who have both won here, in 2013 and 2016 respectively. Last week’s Belfius Ladies Open winner, Emma Nilsson, has been in fine form this season, recording to runner up positions in addition to her win, and will be another player to watch.
Play gets underway on Wednesday morning at 9.00 from both the 1st and 10th tees.
