Nicole Broch Estrup has good memories of Dromoland Castle after she finished in a tie for second place in 2022.
The Dane produced a final round of 68 (-4) but was ultimately defeated in a playoff by Czechia’s Klara Davidson Spilkova.
However, it was one of Broch Estrup’s highlights of 2022 as she felt good throughout the whole week mentally and it gave her plenty of motivation for this season.
“It was obviously good,” said the 30-year-old. “It was one of the weeks last year where at least in the end of the final round, I hit what people would call in the zone.
“I was just trying to hit good shots and didn’t really realise I made three birdies on 15, 16 and 17 and put myself up in the lead. It was definitely one of my highlight weeks from last year, I definitely have good memories.
“It was really nice to have all four rounds. The way I was feeling in the playoff as well, beforehand if I put myself in some contention, I would get scared of hitting bad shots but that was the first time in a couple of years where I was not scared of hitting good shots.
“I felt like I did my best in the playoff hole, I was trying to hit good shots and that was a huge step in the right direction. Obviously, I still remember I left the putt just short in the middle but overall, no matter the outcome I was really happy to put myself in that position and feel the way I did mentally.
“Even carrying on to this year, just knowing that I’m capable of hitting that mental spot again was giving me a lot of motivation going forward and thinking about winning again.”
The Dane spoke on the LET Golf Podcast in May about the anxiety and nerves that have been part of her game for the past two years.
But the LET winner heads into this week off the back of a T6 finish in Scotland, T44 at the AIG Women’s Open and T43 at the ISPS HANDA World Invitational.
And Broch Estrup is pleased to be in a good place mentally and feels that she is ready to secure a second victory on Tour.
She explained: “It was just nice to feel the way I did for three weeks, I was not panicking, I was just playing golf. It’s been a while since I have had it like that.
“Even in Northern Ireland, after 11 holes in the second round I was at the cut line at that time and the worries and thoughts popped up but I was able to just carry on and play. Playing for a good result or to make the cut, it was nice to have the same state of mind.
“Taking the win would be awesome and I feel like I’m in a good space with everything. You never know when it’s your turn, you can only put in the daily work and daily effort. I feel like everything has started to build up and I started with a new caddie Oliver in Northern Ireland.
“I feel super happy at the moment, life is good and golf is more simple than it has been. You never know if it’s going to be this week or in five weeks, but I feel ready to win again.”
Broch Estrup will begin her campaign at 8.55 am (local time) from the 10th tee alongside India’s Diksha Dagar and England’s Alice Hewson.
There have been a few improvements at Dromoland Castle to the course and the Danish star is hopeful that the crowds that turned out in 2022 will be out in force again this week.
She added: “It’s a ball-striking course, especially off the tee you have to hit the fairways. I have good memories and I feel like it suits me. It’s not super short and it’s not super long either, but you have some mid-irons in and there are some par-fives that you can reach with long irons and that’s something that suits my game.
“I’m looking forward to it, I feel like I’m in a good place mentally coming off those three weeks but also golf-wise I’m in a space where it feels somehow simple. I don’t have to overthink too much in my swing. I have just got to go out there and be creative and let things happen.
“Last year was incredible, it was definitely one of the best weeks spectator-wise that we have on the LET and it just makes it as a player, a lot more fun. It’s super nice to see a lot of people and I hope the crowds can be similar to last year.”
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