In 2024, England’s Ellie Gower clinched victory at Calatayud after a dramatic playoff against LETAS graduate Billie-Jo Smith.
Now, as the 2025 season draws to a close, Gower is back on LETAS to defend her title.
“It’s great to be back,” said Gower. “I’ve never been in this position before where I’ve defended my title, so it feels a bit weird. Yet it’s just another tournament and I just need to play and see what happens.”
After spending most of her season competing on the LET, Gower returns to familiar ground with a refreshed mindset.
“I’m not feeling much pressure about defending the title,” she explained. “I’ve been playing on the LET this year which has been a good experience. I haven’t really got the results I wanted, so I’m not putting any pressure on myself at all. It would be nice to win again or be up there, but I’ll just play and see how it all goes. I’m working on a few things in my game.”
One thing Gower isn’t changing is her support team. Her boyfriend, PGA professional golfer John Wilding is back on the bag after caddying for her during last year’s win.
“He caddied last year when I won, so it’s good to have him back.”
This year there’s a small change to the course layout. The front and back nines have been swapped meaning the tournament will now finish on what was previously the ninth hole. A tricky par three and the site of Gower’s winning putt in 2024.
“It’ll be a little different and weird.
“I’m going to play 18 today to get used to the new setup. It won’t make much difference, but it will be weird finishing on the par three.”
Gower is leaving nothing to chance not even when it comes to superstition.
“It was stupid but last year we bought this candy-smelling body wash, and John was like, ‘We need to buy the same body wash because I’m sure it was that which made you win.”
“So, we’ve bought it again but no more superstitions!”
The final event of the season kicks off on 16 October, with the winner of the tournament to be crowned on the 18th alongside the seven players earning their 2026 LET cards.
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