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| Anka celebrates on the 18th green last year at Golf Park Plzeň – Dýšina |
Germany’s Ann-Kathrin Lindner has returned to Golf Park Plzeň – Dýšina, the scene of her maiden victory on the Ladies European Tour (LET), to defend her title at this week’s Sberbank Golf Masters.
The 26-year-old from Hannover was playing in only her seventh event as a rookie on the LET when she won in Pilsen, Czech Republic, 12 months ago. She fired rounds of 66, 67 and 68 for a 12-under-par total finishing one stroke ahead of Diana Luna and Alexandra Villatte.
In this interview, ‘Anka’ discusses how she is trying to replicate her success by sticking to the same routines.
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Anka: how does it feel to be back in Pilsen?
Pretty good. The drive to here was quite similar to last year, through thunder storms and when I arrived with my host family there was lightning everywhere. We had fun like last year and wine, like last year. Hopefully it’s golf like last year!
Are you doing everything exactly the same?
We try to. They made the same cake as last year and we’re going to have a little party at their house on Thursday and we hope that it’s a winning formula again.
What was the cake?
It was a magical cake, banana, I think. They make it at home at their son sells it to the office workers in Prague.
Who is your caddie?
I don’t have the same caddie, but I am happy with my regular caddie Paul Heseldon, who has been on my bag since Slovakia. I met him last year at the Buckinghamshire and we have been working as a team so it’s nice to have him on my bag. Luka, my friend who caddied last year, has no time to get here, but of course I’m working with a tour caddie since Slovakia.
Any changes you have noticed?
I don’t know yet. We drove a different way to the range. It was a bit exciting last year, through the industrial buildings. The grass looks pretty good and I think they improved it. Everything is in good condition. I think some holes are different. One par three plays different and the eighth is longer but the rest are the same as last year.
What are your hopes for the tournament?
I try to play my game as best I can and I hope it’s going to be as good as it can be. I have no expectations. I don’t have a plan and I am not thinking about winning, just having fun.
What are you most looking forward to?
I hope that the opening party at the brewery is fun like last year. I met a pair of twin sisters there and I met them again now so that’s nice, to see the same faces again. I love this tournament. Staying with the host family, they are so nice and I have my own room. They make me breakfast and offer me dinner and it’s really nice.
