Astrid Vayson de Pradenne of France is storming up the order of merit this season and has come close twice to recording her first victory on the LET Access Series. We get to know Astrid with a few quick questions…
Who is your favourite golfer?
Ben Crane. His videos on Golf Secret where he just putting everything into perspective. After all we’re all making a fuss about things but it’s just a golf ball and a hole.
What’s your favourite club in your bag?
56° wedge. I am in love with chipping, and it’s one of my strengths.
What’s been your biggest golfing achievement of your career?
A playoff in Sweden at the LETAS Castellum Ladies Open 2017 (lost to Spain’s Luna Sobron)
What’s your favourite golf course?
The Castle Course, St Andrews
What is the one thing you could not live without?
Music – I am wearing earphones a lot with a wide range of music from English rock band to French electro.
Who do you most look up to?
If I limit myself to my golf world, I would say I had two pep talks that where quite instrumental in my golf performance so I will always admire and respect them – Cassandra Kirkland when I played twice on the LET in 2014 and Virigina Espejo this year in Evian after having 3 missed cuts and tie for 52nd to start my season.
What is your favourite food?
I am French but I am not going to be patriotic – Asian (Japanese, Indian) ….oh and a good old carrot cake from England.
How would you spend your perfect day?
Deep inside I am a “fish” so it would involve some sort of water – scuba diving or freediving in the sea or just a swim in a lake.
Your favourite city?
Oslo, Norway.
Describe yourself in one word?
Enthusiastic
What do you like doing besides playing golf?
Helping others as a physio is very rewarding so I like my second job. On a more leisurely side – Freediving, Scuba diving
If you could travel anywhere where would you go?
Galapagos
What’s your best golfing tip for a beginner?
Spend some time on the putting green, if you want to improve your score dramatically.
Do you have any superstitions before a round?
This year, I’ve started to think some of my polo shirts don’t perform well on day 2 or 3 after stunning scores on previous days š so I will wear them in a practice round!
What is your most memorable sporting moment?
Solheim cup weeks. I’ve watched only 3 and I am hooked on it. Two years ago, it was on the background at my phsio practice while I was treating patients.
Do you listen to music before your round?
Yes a lot. I also dance a bit on the practice range during the warm up and you can also hear me sing a bit!
What’s in your golf bag besides golf balls and clubs?
A rosary as I am Christian. Tiger balm and essential oils to chill out or get more energy. On the teebox of hole one I will always put some balm on my temples.
What are your goals for 2017?
My initial objective was to win on LETAS. I’ve come close in Spain and Sweden (3rd and playoff – 2nd). My secondary one was to finish in the top 5. Two tournaments left and I am 1,500 points behind so still very much in contention. However, I’ve been struggling with a shoulder injury since May. It’s aggravating and the last arthroscan I had on Friday 15/09 is not very encouraging with a small bone alvulsion in the left shoulder socket…I guess being able to play relatively painlessly and finish my season on the LETAS is now my main objective.
