England’s Samantha Head is enjoying great success on the Japan LPGA Tour and occupies 12th on the official order of merit after a string of consistent performances in just four events since early March.
The 30-year-old, who is now based in Madrid, finished third in last weeks Katokichi Queen’s Open at the Yakashima CC near Takamatsu, and was denied victory when the her playing partner birdied the last two holes to snatch the win.
Head finished 37th, 49th and 15th respectively in her other three outings and has won approximately £26,000 to date, with 22 ranking events to go.
“I think you need about £60,000 to keep your card and so far, I’m well on my way, and hopefully a win is just around the corner,” said Head, who began her season on the LET in Australia with two top ten finishes – tied eighth at the ANZ Masters and tied for fourth at the AAMI Women’s Australian Open.
“I’m planning to come back to Europe either at the Evian Masters, if I get in on this years order of merit list, or the Weetabix Women’s British Open and depending on how my schedule works out, I might stay on for the HP Open in Sweden.
“I’m enjoying it out here. It’s an odd country to be in but I’m travelling with Nicki Campbell from the Australian Tour and we’re getting by OK. There is a language barrier, but we have a translator at the course and she helps out a lot. Just like playing golf anywhere, once you are on the course, I’m in my own little world.
“And Kanna (Takanashi, winner of last years Portuguese Open on the LET) speaks good English, so she’s useful company to have out here too.”
Head is playing in next week’s £310,000 Vernal Ladies Open, the second biggest on the JLPGA, with a limited field of 100 players with the top 50 making the cut.
And even though she is nine hours ahead on the other side of the globe, the two time winner on the Evian Ladies European Tour uses her state of the art mobile phone to keep in touch with happenings on the LET.
“It was great to hear Lisl win in Tenerife, it’s been a long time coming and it wouldn’t surprise me if she wins the next three events either.”
