Lina Belmati is kicking off the LET Access Series (LETAS) season on home soil with the Madaëf Golfs Ladies Open by MSE at Royal Golf de Fes.
The Moroccan, who hails from Rabat, is looking forward to starting the LETAS season on a golf she hasn’t played before.
Belmati visited Fez when she was younger to play tennis, but never for golf, and was impressed by the course after her practice round.
“I’m super excited to start the season first of all, and obviously it’s even better starting in Morocco,” said the 29-year-old. “The course is really nice. I’ve never been here actually again this year, just like last year. I am really surprised how nice it is and how good the course is.
“I’ve been to Fez a couple of times when I was younger actually to play tennis. That’s the only times I have been here. LETAS is a big family. It’s like going to back to school – the first day of school. It’s really fun to see everyone and it was a long off-season. I’m excited to see everyone and play.”
Belmati has been on the comeback trail in recent years having discovered a fracture in her left hip in August 2023.
She has played on LETAS for the past two seasons and changed her mentality on the golf course.
Additionally, she has had to adjust and listen to her body more to understand when to push and not while competing.
“If you would’ve asked me while I was injured or before the injury, I wouldn’t say the same things that I’m saying right now,” she continued. “It’s taught me a lot of things.
“I’ve been more patient. I’ve been taking whatever comes to me differently. I’ve grown so much after that injury and in my body, I’m getting more comfortable feeling stuff and recognising when it’s time to push or not. I learned a lot and I’m still learning. I’ll just keep on going.
“I expected more, it’s taking more time than I’ve expected. I’m still really excited and motivated to perform and do well. I’m taking it one step at a time and we’ll see what is to come. Overall, it’s a great experience. It’s amazing to be on Tour and discover myself and gain a lot of things besides golf.”
Belmati believes she had a good off-season and particularly worked on her putting to try and improve that aspect of her game.
The Moroccan is trying not to focus on her results this year, but is hoping to have a solid start in her homeland.
She added: “It was good, I had a small injury in my hand, my wrist. I trained really well, I worked on a lot of things in my swing and a lot of things in my putting as well. I’ve done a lot of putting, mostly putting this off-season. I’m super excited to get the season started and see how my putting.
“The golf course is wider for sure. The greens are the trickiest part. Chipping will be different because we’re chipping mostly up to the greens. You have to be near perfect every step of the way. Putting would be the first one.
“Goals for this year, I’m top seven but I’m not looking at the results as much as last year. I’m looking at it one tournament at a time. For this tournament, I would be happy with a good start, two rounds under par would be really great and I will take it from there.”
Belmati will tee it up in the first round of the Madaëf Golfs Ladies Open by MSE at 1.20 pm (local time) alongside Iceland’s Andrea Bergsdottir and French amateur Alice Kong.
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