Sweden’s Johanna Gustavsson is aiming to ‘bring back old school Johanna’ this week as she returns to defend her Lacoste Ladies Open de France crown.
After several close calls the popular Swede secured her maiden Ladies European Tour (LET) title in 2023 winning by three shots in Deauville to the delight of her peers.
Back at Golf Barriere 12 months on, Gustavsson – without a caddie last time out – is once again going solo as she strives to go back to basics and ignite her joyful spark.
Currently 30th in the Order of Merit, Gustavsson said: “Even though Alex [my husband] is not here, and I obviously wish he was, it’s quite nice to be alone around here. I told Alex not to come. Because that’s how I had it last time and I’ve had him with me a lot this year. It’s been great, but it’s different because I’m used to being alone on the course a lot. It’s nice to just be you on the course. Just you and the clubs. Working with yourself.
“The game has felt quite good all year. Me, not so good mentally out here. I’ve struggled with motivation this year and being away, really loving the game. I’m not going to play many more events this year because I’ve played a lot. For me, it’s about trying to find the joy and the love for golf again for next season. Getting back to loving the game.
“Being here helps. Maybe I can go back to my roots because that’s how I started out. Back to old school Johanna. Being alone and seeing if that makes a difference.”
Gustavsson led by one shot heading into the final round in 2023 after back-to-back rounds of 66 (-5). A wonderful 65 (-6) on Saturday then saw the Swede secure a three-shot victory over compatriot Moa Folke to hoist the famous trophy.
“It feels nice to be back,” she said. “It was such a rush when I left last time because I had a flight to catch so I couldn’t really stick around and take it in here. So it’s nice to be back at the hotel and at the course to relive some memories.
“That week I just went out without any expectations. I missed the cut the tournament before and made some swing changes. Tried to take one shot at a time. I had been close a lot of times and all those times played a big part.
“During the back nine last year it felt like my time. It didn’t during the previous times. I just tried to enjoy it. The experience for me made the big difference. I’m a player who needs to be in a certain situation a few times before I feel comfortable.”
Making her 150th LET appearance this week, Gustavsson gets her Lacoste Ladies Open de France title defence underway on Thursday at 8:51am playing alongside Sweden’s Sofie Bringner and Thailand’s Trichat Cheenglab.
“I’m going to be a bit more aggressive because the course is wet so the ball stops quicker,” Gustavsson said. “Defending is a new situation for me so hopefully I can manage that. I have good feelings around here – that I can always shoot a low score. Obviously I’ve read the greens well in the past so it’s nice!”
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