Home comfort could be key for Celine Herbin at this week’s La Sella Open with the Frenchwoman teeing up at her local club in Spain for the first time on the Ladies European Tour (LET).
Few players are in finer form than the 40-year-old right now with Herbin recording four top-10 finishes in five starts this season.
Having also taken two weeks off to rest her body ahead of a big stretch of events, the Frenchwoman now hopes to continue her momentum in Spain and capitalise on her inside knowledge of La Sella Golf Resort & Spa.
“It was awesome to have two weeks off,” Herbin said, who currently resides in the Alicante area. “I was at home, I could take care of myself and my body. I rested well so my body is strong again for the next few events. I’m so excited to be here. It’s awesome to play a tournament at home on this lovely course.
“It’s definitely a bit of a home advantage this week. I won’t lie. I’ve been living here for three years, but even before I was always coming over for winter camps and practice. So I’ve been around here for a while and it’s just such a lovely place.”
As for the local support, Herbin is boosted by having several close family members attending the La Sella Open, making this week different to any other for the two-time LET winner.
She explained: “I’m lucky to have my parents here this week from France. They drove over. I’m also lucky to have my sister here and her two daughters. She lives in Dubai and she was able to travel over to watch this week so I’m very happy to have that family support, as well as some local support. I know a lot of people here and have a lot of friends, so it’s going to be a special week.
“Another point is that the course has Bermuda grass on the greens and the fairways, so it’s a bit different for most of the European girls because we are not used to playing on Bermuda grass. It’s more present in America, and I’ve obviously been in America a lot [playing on the LPGA Tour]. Also practicing here gives me a little bit of an advantage.”
Herbin currently sits 10th in the Race to Costa del Sol thanks to her string of top 10 results and recent T13 finish at the Ladies Open by Pickala Rock Resort.
And with such fine form helping secure spots in both the AIG Women’s Open and next week’s Amundi Evian Championship, the Frenchwoman now feels she is in the perfect place – both on and off the course – to produce another stellar performance.
“I’ve done very well over the past two weeks to rest and get myself ready,” Herbin said. “My game feels good as we could see over the past few tournaments. Today I also had the confirmation that I’m in the [Trust Golf] Scottish Open and AIG Women’s Open, so that’s given me an extra boost to be able to perform well this week.
“The weather is perfect, although in the summer it’s a bit hot as you can see at the moment. But I enjoy it a lot here. The course is in great condition and it’s playing like a Major championship course.”
Herbin gets underway at the La Sella Open at 10:39am local time teeing up alongside fellow LET winners Meghan MacLaren and Caroline Hedwall.
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