2024 is Billie-Jo Smith’s comeback year. The 25-year-old is staying patient and after a string of strong finishes, Smith is hoping for a first win on the LET Access Series (LETAS).
It’s already been a winning year for the Nottinghamshire based golfer who clinched her first professional victory at the Rose Ladies Series event at Formby Ladies Golf Club.
Smith currently sits sixth on the LETAS Order of Merit after five consecutive top-10 finishes, her highest being third at the AMUNDI Czech Ladies Challenge where she played in the final group.
“I couldn’t have had much of a better start,” Smith explained. “It means so much as last year I struggled quite a bit and had a couple of injuries.”
At the start of 2023, Smith elected to have a minor operation to reduce a malformation in her calf muscle.
The surgery would mean a later start to the season but would hopefully guarantee pain-free golf.
Yet disaster struck when another injury later in the season de-railed her chance to compete on tour.
“I recovered from the injury at the end of last year and then put a lot of hard work in throughout the winter.
“If you had told me at the start of the year that I would have done what I’ve done so far. I’d have taken your hand off and took it and run.”
After winning on the Rose Ladies Series in front of a home crowd, Smith is hoping to repeat the winning feeling.
The two England events, the Rose Ladies Open and the Get Golfing Women’s Championship are the ones Smith is hotly anticipating.
At the 2023 edition of the Rose Ladies Open, Smith was the overnight leader after the first round but couldn’t back up her first round score of six-under-par.
Now she’s looking to mend that wrong.
“Previously I’ve been quite an inconsistent player but this year I’ve found my consistency.
“Having shot six under last year I know I can put a good score together around Brocket Hall. It suits my game, so we’ll be trying to go a few better than last year.”
Another big goal for the Englishwoman is to compete in the AIG Women’s Open, held this year in St. Andrews.
“I’ve got to the final stage every year and just missed out. This year I want to get there especially as St. Andrews is one of my favourite places.
“To be in St. Andrews where it all began with golf and be surrounded by history would be something really special.”
Off the course, 2024 has been one of her favourite seasons after finding her place in tour life.
Travelling mostly with English players, Megan Dennis and Ana Dawson, Smith credits them with making this season the most enjoyable.
“I didn’t go to college in America, so I started tour life earlier, I didn’t know anyone, and I found that difficult.
“From the outside looking in, being a professional golfer looks amazing and we do all love it, but golf is not always sunshine and rainbows.
“So, it’s great to get to be doing it with people you get along with really well and who understand the situation you are in.”
Smith is also kept extremely busy when she’s not playing golf by studying for a PHD in Golf Biomechanics for the next couple of years.
“I know a lot of people must do things to take themselves away from the golf a little. I like to keep my brain working as well.
“Whilst I am still studying the golf swing, I keep my research separate to my professional game.”
Smith next tees it up at the Smorum Ladies Open in Denmark on the 2nd of August where she will be looking to continue her fine form.
In the meantime, follow all the action throughout the tournament on the LETAS social media channels – @letaccess on Instagram, X, and Ladies European Tour Access Series on Facebook – #RaiseOurGame #Access2Let #EnjoyTheGame.
