England’s Alice Hewson returns to the VP Bank Swiss Ladies Open this week as the defending champion, having captured her second Ladies European Tour (LET) title last year at Golfpark Holzhäusern.
In last year’s edition, the 28-year-old triumphed over India’s Tvesa Malik in a thrilling playoff. With both stars locked on 11-under par after a dramatic final round – one which saw Hewson fire a 65 (-6) – she then made a clutch birdie on the first playoff hole to seal the deal and earn her first victory since the Investec South African Women’s Open in 2020.
Reflecting back on her victory last year, she said: “That win means absolutely everything. To win after five years on tour was just so special. It had been a long gap since my first one, and to get that win, it’s really nice to see all of the hard work coming together. I played so consistently here last year. I hit so many fairways, so many greens, gave myself lots of opportunities and was able to roll a couple of putts in as well. So, it was nothing crazy, but just really solid all week.”
The final day also produced one of the shots of the season when Hewson slam-dunked a bunker shot for eagle on the par-5 17th.
“That was amazing. I definitely wasn’t trying to slam dunk it, but it was so special. It even took a moment for everyone to realise it had gone straight in. They always say you need a little bit of luck to win, and that was mine.”
The win elevated Hewson into the ranks of multiple LET champions. She continued: “Getting that second win proved it wasn’t a fluke the first time. I’m very happy I was able to do that, and now I want to build on it and hopefully add a few more titles.”
It was a long gap between the first and second win. “I felt like I’d been playing well over those five years, but just couldn’t quite get it over the line. I put myself in contention a few times but didn’t finish it off, which is tough. I work a lot with my sports psychologist, Dan, and we’ve always focused on one shot at a time. Last year I was able to stick to that routine really well.”
(Alice Hewson with the trophy last year. Please credit Tristan Jones/LET)
Looking ahead, Hewson remains focused on steady progress. “Another win would be nice, but I’m taking each week as it comes. I didn’t start this year as well as I’d hoped, but I’ve found some form recently, which has been encouraging. I’ve got seven events left, and I’ll give it everything in each one and see where it takes me.”
This week marks a new milestone, as it is the first time Hewson has ever returned to a tournament as defending champion.
“It’s my first time defending – even in college or as an amateur I never had the chance to go back after a win. It’s going to be a new experience, but I’ll approach it one shot at a time. It’s a bit softer this week and there’s been a bit of rain, so it might be a little bit differently than last year.”
Hewson has enjoyed a strong run of form over the past few tournaments, and she has been named as LET’s Player of the Month for August, voted by fans on the website.
The defending champion will tee it up in round one on Thursday, alongside Germany’s Laura Fuenfstueck and Switzerland’s Kim Metraux at 1:17pm (local time).
Watch live and follow all the action throughout the tournament on our socials – @LETgolf on Instagram, TikTok and X, and Ladies European Tour on YouTube and Facebook –#VPBankSwissLadiesOpen.
