After an up-and-down rookie season on the Ladies European Tour (LET), Czechia’s Sara Kouskova delivered when it mattered on Sunday at the Hero Women’s Indian Open firing a round of the week 65 (-7) to finish T5 and all but cement her full card for 2024.
Sitting T19 before the start of play in Delhi, Kouskova lit things up on the final day carding eight birdies to climb 14 spots and record her best finish on the LET as Aline Krauter claimed victory.
More crucial though was the 24-year-old’s jump in the Race to Costa del Sol following the incredible finish, with Kouskova moving from 68th to 51st in the standings (this year’s top 70 earn full status for 2024).
“I’m still trying to soak it in”, the rookie said. “We’ve been waiting for a good finishing round at a tournament for a while and we finally did it. I’m very happy.
“I have never seen such great approach shots from myself in one round. I gave myself a lot of tap-in birdies. So that was great. Mentally I held up too which I think was the most important thing. Putting was one of the strongest parts of my game throughout the tournament.”
The result more than validates Kouskova’s qualities on Tour who arrived this season after winning the LET Access Series Order of Merit (LETAS) and Rookie of the Year double in 2022.
With her best result prior to play commencing at DLF Golf & Country Club a T10 finish at the Aramco Team Series – Florida Individual event, the Czech rookie knew she needed a stellar result with only four events remaining in the schedule – the closing two made up of smaller fields based on Race standings.
“It’s been so hard the last couple of weeks,” Kouskova said, who will now be involved all three tournaments. “Being in that position where I was always just outside [the top 70]. A lot of pressure has been on us for the last few tournaments and I think this was just what we needed. I’m so happy it came here.
“It’s been very difficult. I feel like it’s hard for every rookie here. The fields are very competitive and there are only limited spots for a full card. I wasn’t sure if my game would be strong enough to secure my card, to play among the best players here, but results like this where you can compare yourself to the best in the LET are great.”
Kouskova tees up at the final Aramco Team Series event of the season next in Riyadh, where she will no doubt be feeling that a weight has been lifted off her shoulders following the Indian heroics.
The rookie said: “I was very excited about coming to India and had heard a lot about the tournament. Everybody seems to like the place and looks forward to being here. The course was incredible, very tough but I think that played to my advantage.
“My lowest round is eight-under [at this year’s KPMG Women’s Irish Open]. But I think coming down to the stretch, especially on a course like this, I think it’s one of the best rounds I’ve ever played.”
