It is a third consecutive appearance for Olivia Mehaffey at the ISPS HANDA World Invitational Presented by AVIV Clinics.
The Banbridge native made her LPGA debut at this event in 2021 when she finished in a tie for 17th place, and she was also here in 2022 as a member of the LET.
This is a special event for Mehaffey, as she can stay at home and have friends and family come out to watch her play.
While it also holds good memories as it was the last event her dad was able to watch her, but the Northern Irishwoman admits she struggled here in 2022.
“It’s really nice to come here for me because I was in such a bad place last year, and I come here this year and I just feel like a totally different person,” said Mehaffey. “To be out there and smiling and really, really enjoying it. It shows the hard work that I put in and what a better place.
“This event will always be special for me. This is the last event my dad watched me play. He was in like a little mobility thing when he was going around, and he got to watch me play all four rounds.
“I had a good finish the first year I played, so I think if anything, it probably gives me good memories. I try to look at that as a great thing and I enjoyed it so much. It’s really fun.
“It’s amazing. Playing in front of your family and friends, normally it’s great if you have one or two family coming to an event. But to be here this week, we are trying to take every player’s tickets because I know I’m going to have a lot of people here, so it’s a really nice feeling.”
The ISPS HANDA World Invitational sees two separate 72-hole stroke play tournaments for men and women with two separate prize funds of USD $1,500,000.
Over the first two rounds, the players will face two different tests as they tee it up on the parklands course at Galgorm and on the Links Golf at Castlerock Golf Club.
But Mehaffey is looking forward to playing two completely different styles of golf course this week.
She explained: “It’s fun to have the test of parkland and links. We don’t get that too often. I think it’s going to be a really good test.
“It’s going to be quite windy, so that will definitely be a very fun element. Castlerock have done a great job. The course is in great shape and likewise, Galgorm is, so I think it’s going to be a great week. All the players are really enjoying the courses.”
Mehaffey will tee it up in the first round on Thursday at Galgorm at 1.58 pm (local time) alongside China’s Yu Liu and Germany’s Chiara Noja.
Ahead of a busy stretch of tournaments, the 25-year-old was thankful for a little break to finetune before this week.
“It’s been nice having a few weeks off,” she continued. “I took the first week off and didn’t play. I felt like I was getting a little bit burnt out; I played a lot of golf.
“Then the last two weeks I have just been working a lot with my coach. It’s been nice to prepare for this. It’s going to be a really busy finish to the rest of the year, so a lot of practicing and just really getting prepared for obviously the Irish Open after this as well. It’s great to have two events at home in a row.”
The former ASU star took a break after this tournament last year to grieve following the death of her father and get herself back into a good place.
After returning to the LET this year, Mehaffey has seen an improvement in her game and she has had good results with a T12 finish at the Amundi German Masters followed by her best-ever result on the LET with a share of third place in Finland
And the Northern Irishwoman has been enjoying being back on tour and hopes to keep that mentality through the rest of the season.
She added: “I just wanted to come back after my break last year and really enjoy golf, and frankly I’m doing that again, which is great. I’m just going to keep that same mentality for the rest of the year.
“When you’re enjoying it, you’re playing good, so that’s sort of my only goal. Try not to put no pressure on myself, no expectations, which is difficult at times to manage, but I think it’s very important.”
Follow all the action on @LETGolf on Instagram and Twitter and Ladies European Tour on Facebook and YouTube – #RaiseOurGame #WorldInvitational.
