After a four week break in the 2023 Ladies European Tour Access Series (LETAS) schedule, our rookies were back in action as we headed to Switzerland for the Flumserberg Ladies Open.
This year was extra special for the tournament as it celebrated it’s 10th anniversary with a unique format called the Mätzler Mix named after its co-founders Melanie and Guido Mätzler.
In Switzerland, nine rookies qualified from the first two days of stroke play to make it into the final day of matchplay.
LETAS rookie, Sofie Kibsgaard Nielsen shined brightest as she finished the tournament in second place one and a half points behind the winner, fellow Dane, Fie Olsen.
“I had a great week,” the 24-year-old said, “I really enjoyed playing in Switzerland. It’s always very pretty and everything is so clean!
“I’m very happy with my game and the direction it’s going. It’s just very solid.”
“I stayed at a host family for the first time and I really loved it. Despite the weather changes, I think it was a very fun week. Everyone is just super nice and welcoming.”
The Mätzler mix designed to increase the entertainment value of golf was played across three days combining both stroke play and match play.
Two rounds of stroke play were followed by 3×9 holes of matchplay on the final day with the final three playing for points.
The Rolex World Ranking accepted the new formula and has awarded world ranking points for professionals and Olympic ranking points.
“It took my head a while to figure out the final format but I tried to stay calm and stick to my game plan. I was nervous but I feel like I enjoyed it more now that I’ve been in similar situations earlier this season.
“The Mätzler Mix was fun to try, I was surprised how important the stroke play result was for the match play. I’m happy with how I did but it’s a difficult format for those in the middle of the leaderboard.
“It was important that the players who well in the stroke play have an advantage as every day maters and you have to do your best to win the tournament.”
Kibsgaard Nielsen has had a strong start to the season and is currently the Order of Merit winner leader after three tournaments.
The Dane is now determined to enter the winner’s circle after also losing out on the win in a five-way play off at the Santander Golf Tour-Girona.
“I’ve had three second places in the last four events I’ve played on LETAS so I’m trying to stay patient and keep working the way I do. There’s a lot of things that are trending in the right direction.
“My putting has been a weak point of my game and I’m really trying to improve that part.
It was a good tournament for Denmark as elsewhere, Puk Lyng Thomsen and Cecilie Finne-Ipsen came in 13th and 14th position boosting them to 4th and 6th place on the LETAS rookie of the year list.
