Three years ago, a Texas State freshman took the Montauban Ladies Open by a storm coming from behind to clinch victory at her first professional event, an event she only entered the week before.
France’s Marine Griffaut now returns to the tournament for her professional debut.
“I still get goosebumps thinking about that week,” Griffaut admitted, “When I won that tournament, it gave me a turn in my golf career and made me believe in what I could do.”
Last year Griffaut returned to the Montauban Ladies Open once again as an amateur but impressed again finishing within the top 10.
“I’m not scared about going back there like last year because i know now i can compete well with pressure.
“Last year I wasn’t expecting anything. I was just trying to have fun and do what I needed to do and do my best. So, this year is going to be the same thing.
“Now I’m pro a lot of things have changed, it’s a different kind of pressure but I really want to keep the mindset that I had when I was an amateur to just show up, trust the process and enjoy who I am as a player.”
Becoming a professional golfer has been a dream of Griffaut’s since childhood but the journey hasn’t been easy.
“I spent a lot of time catching up to other girls as an amateur. I didn’t have the best guidance.
“At 15, I became involved with the French Federation, and I remember my coach there always told me that one day we’re going to look back at this and laugh. He was right.
“He saw my potential and that’s one of the reasons I’m here today, so thank you Tom.”
Griffaut plans to play the Montauban Ladies Open starting on the 7th of June, from there she plans to take any opportunities before heading to Q school on the LPGA and LET at the end of the year.
“I have my plan and will trust the process.
“My biggest dream is to play with the best players and be one of them.
“I’m a very realistic person but I’m going to chase it, it will take the time that it takes, but, I’m going to get there.”
Hear more about Griffaut’s journey to turning professional on this week’s episode of LETAS Chat below.
