Last year Klara Davidson Spilkova clinched her second LET title securing victory via a playoff at the KPMG Women’s Irish Open.
It was her first win on Tour since 2017 as she defeated Finland’s Ursula Wikstrom and Denmark’s Nicole Broch Estrup by sinking her birdie putt.
Returning to Dromoland Castle this year, the Czech star was able to vividly remember her shots from the final day in 2022.
“I played the back nine and it was like a flashback,” said Davidson Spilkova. “It was crazy, I remember every single shot.
“I was almost getting emotional out there, it was nice to be back and have all those amazing memories. It’s great to be back and the course is in great shape. Everybody is very friendly and hospitable; I have really been having a nice time here.
“Last year, just accepting that there were tricky holes was important and just really staying strong mentally even during the playoff because there was three of us.
“I stayed really strong and I kind of believed that it was there for me, and it was. The key was to hit good shots, stay strong mentality and try to enjoy it as much as you can.”
The two-time LET winner produced rounds of 66-68-73-67 for a total of 14-under-par last year to be in a tie for first place after 72 holes.
It was the back nine on the final day where Davidson Spilkova got into her groove rolling in birdies on 10, 11 and 16 before a miraculous par save from the mud on 17 and another birdie on 18.
She explained: “The third round wasn’t the greatest to be honest. I didn’t play very well, but I remember making a birdie on the sixth I think on the Sunday and that’s where everything felt good again and I got to make some more birdies.
“I just stayed in the moment, even that shot on 17 in the water – there’s much more water there this year! I just remember being very present and enjoying every moment and trying to hit good shots and make birdies.
“The mud wasn’t cold; it was just gross! I just wanted to hit it somewhere on the green and two-putt and then maybe birdie or eagle the last hole, but I got to make a par so that was really good. Obviously, I had to make a birdie on the last hole, and I did. I will never forget it.”
The Czech star has had a very consistent 2023 on the Ladies European Tour (LET) recording seven top-10 finishes including as a runner-up in Florida and sits sixth in the Race to Costa del Sol standings.
And the 28-year-old is excited to begin her title defence in the first round from the 10th tee alongside world number 17 Leona Maguire and Irish amateur Aine Donegan.
She added: “I’m very excited. It will be great to play with Leona and go out there and do our best, I appreciate the Irish fans and Irish people in general. They know golf and sport in general and that’s amazing. It brings a huge value to the whole event. I’m excited to go out there and play.
“I am feeling really good, I know I can win again which is great. I am staying patient and it’s been a pretty long year and I’ve been very busy especially the summer stretch. It was nice to be home for two weeks and really get away from golf for a little bit and get some rest. Every week is a new week and you’re trying to do your best.
“It would be amazing to defend. I do have great memories from here and I feel very comfortable and as I said, you don’t have to put too much pressure on yourself and just try your best. If I’m in the mud that’s fine too! Things happen in golf; you have just got to accept it the way that it is.”
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