Loveys aiming for high five

Tracy Loveys admits she faces a big test to retain her Titleist & FootJoy Women's PGA Professional Championship title.

The Bigbury Golf Club professional won the event last year and is seeking a fifth victory in the new-look competition when it is held over 36 holes at Frilford Heath Golf Club on Tuesday, July 19.

Loveys heads up a strong field which also includes former US Women’s Open champion Alison Nicholas, Suzanne Dickens, Alexandra Keighley and Heather McRae.

But the Devon player admits that the format will sort out the challengers from the also-rans.

“It’s going to be interesting playing 36 holes in one day, but it’s all positive and there are going to be some good players taking part,” said Loveys.

“From my point of view, it’s probably been about five years since I played that amount of golf in one day so I’m having to build up some momentum in preparation.”

Loveys said he has already been to the Oxfordshire venue to see what will be needed on the day.

“I went and had a sneak peek at the course, I wanted to familiarise myself with it and have a look,” she said.

“This is an event I always want to win. I look for it at the start of every year and I’d very much like to make it five victories - but it will be difficult.

“Who knows how it’s going to turn out? The experienced players may be better suited or it may be one for the younger players. I don’t know.”

Loveys says her build up for Frilford Heath is going well.

“I’ve only played one of the WPGA One Day Series events so far, that was the last one at Salisbury - because I’m based in Devon a lot of the rounds are difficult to get to,” she explained.

“I also played in the WPGA Lombard Trophy qualifying round and I’ve had my practice round at Frilford Heath, so it’s coming together well at the moment.

“But I probably haven’t played this course in a competition since I was an amateur, it’s tough from the start with the first three holes being quite hard.”