Christel Boeljon chases hat-trick of titles in Turkey

Two-time Turkish Airlines Ladies Open champion Christel Boeljon (right) pictured with Dr. Bulent Goktuna, President of Mineks International and National Golf Club, following her victory in 2012.

Christel Boeljon is aiming for a hat-trick of Turkish Airlines Ladies Open titles when the event gets under way at National Golf Club in Belek, Antalya from Thursday.

The 25-year-old from the Netherlands is the only player to have won the tournament twice, in consecutive years, in 2012 and 2011, but she also tied for second in the 2010 tournament after ending two strokes behind the winner Melissa Reid.

She recorded a tournament-record equalling winning score of 285 (-7) after four rounds of 70, 73, 69 and 73 at National Golf Club last year and on her return to the venue on Tuesday, Boeljon commented: “Great feelings, great memories, so it’s fun to be back and I’m looking forward to seeing the golf course tomorrow and seeing how it’s playing.

“Tomorrow I’d like to see if all the holes still play the same and how the conditions are, because I hear it’s a little softer and a little wet. It might play a little longer. Tomorrow I’ll see how it feels; spend some time on the greens and just play.

“I’ve been playing pretty consistent the last three to four weeks so it feels pretty good. Hopefully I can get things a little sharper.”

Other interesting competitors include fellow Solheim Cup prospects Carlota Ciganda and Melissa Reid, as well as English rookie Charley Hull.

“All the top European girls will give me a run for my money so I’ll have to be on top of my game,” Boeljon continued.  “You need to play well here, you need to put the ball in play; you need to have a good short game. I’m feeling pretty good and we’ll just see how things go.”