All eyes are on Sara Kouskova this week at the Tipsport Czech Ladies Open as the home favourite goes in pursuit of a hat-trick of Ladies European Tour (LET) victories.
The 25-year-old has had a month to remember claiming back-to-back wins in her last two events at the Jabra Ladies Open and Tenerife Women’s Open.
Since then, Kouskova tee’d up on the LET Access Series [LETAS] in her sponsor’s event, the Amundi Czech Ladies Challenge, where the Olympian finished T5.
Having received a hero’s welcome in Prague, the homecoming continues for Kouskova this week as she looks to make it three LET wins from three.
“It was great to be back on LETAS last week,” Kouskova said, who started her professional career on the feeder circuit. “They are all so kind and the event was prepared so well. It was a tribute to Czech golf and my roots. It’s been nice. We didn’t take it too heavy. We celebrated with my family and closest friends which was really sweet.
“I was so close [to another win]. The game was there again. But I couldn’t really get the hang of the greens. They were tough to read, even though I’m usually quite good at that. But I think still having a good result, without the putting, was really good. I think the longest putt that I holed was two metres. Other than that, really solid.
“[This week], I still want to keep my feet on the ground. I keep saying that I need to just hit shots and see how it goes. I’ll try to do my best and if that is enough to get the win, then great. I’ll give it everything.”
Kouskova secured her maiden LET victory at the Jabra Ladies Open in May seeing off a final day charge from Singapore’s Shannon Tan to hoist the trophy. Just two weeks later, the 25-year-old was at it again securing a one-shot victory over Germany’s Helen Briem as the LET returned to Tenerife.
“We are still waiting on having a big party,” Kouskova said, who now qualifies for both The Amundi Evian Championship and AIG Women’s Open. “One of my oldest friends, she is still finishing school, so we’re going to have a big party on the Monday after this tournament to really celebrate.”
With the victories, Kouskova joined compatriots Klara Davidson Spilkova, Jana Melichova and Kristyna Napoleaova as the only Czech players to win on the LET. The former, her fellow Olympian Davidson Spilkova, was the first and remains a massive source of support for the in-form star.
“Klara [Davidson Spilkova] is a huge inspiration to me,” Kouskova explained. “I always followed her and knew who she was. I had pictures of her when I was younger and her coach sent me a signed photo of her when I was around 10 and she had just got on Tour! I still have it.
“I realised it more once I got on Tour, how difficult it must have been for her to be alone for such a long time. We try to be there for her as well. We all support each other and we have created such a really cute and sweet relationship as a Czech gang. Having each other there is really special. We still want to beat each other, but in a way which is really supportive. We know that when one of us wins, it pushes the other one forward.”
As for this week, Kouskova, currently second in the LET Order of Merit, can make history by becoming the first Czech player to win three events on the LET. Home comforts could be key for Kouskova in her pursuit of making it three wins from three.
“I’m going to stay at home in Prague this week,” the 25-year-old said. “For the early tee times, my parents have a cottage nearby, so I’ll stay there between Friday and Saturday and then I’ll be home in Prague.
“It’s the best week of the year for us. Especially with the home crowds. We have the home support and we have our families here watching us. It’s special. My family will be here, Jakub’s [my partner and caddie] sisters and some of my close friends. I can’t wait to play.”
Follow all the action throughout the Tipsport Czech Ladies Open on our socials – @LETgolf on Instagram, TikTok and X, and Ladies European Tour on YouTube and Facebook – #TipsportCzechLadiesOpen.
