Loveys tames the links
04/06/2015
Three-time champion Tracy Loveys is on course to regain her title after impressing during day one of Titleist & FootJoy Women's PGA Professional Championship.
Loveys, who won the £5,000 tournament each year between 2008 and 2010, heads a strong field by two shots going into the final day.
The Bigbury PGA Professional has an affection for links golf and admitted the coastal Burnham & Berrow suited her on a day when low scores were at a premium in both the mens’ and women's events.
Loveys was the only lady to break par as strong winds made life difficult for a field including several Ladies European Tour players and former US Women's Open winner Alison Nicholas.
An eagle at the eighth hole proved to be the defining moment of her round, a five iron to within ten feet of the pin followed by calmness personified as she holed the putt.
Not even a double bogey at the tricky 12th could derail her as she held out for the best score of the day.
“I absolutely love links golf,” she enthused. “Where I play tends to be windy anyway as it’s on a clifftop so that makes you feel more comfortable when you get out on the links.
“But it’ll be a real test out there tomorrow, the wind is due to change direction and that will turn it into a completely different golf course.
“I love this tournament and it would be great to win it again. I’ve been runner-up four or five times as well so to win it a fourth time would be amazing.
“I’d like to think the experience of winning in the past will help but you never know. It’s a different golf course to the one’s I’ve won on in the past so it really is just a case of going out there and doing the same as I have done today.”
On Loveys’ coat-tails is 2013 Women's PGA Professional champion Lucy Williams, who played in the US Women's Open last year.
The Mid Herts pro birdied the 18th to card a level-par round of 74.
