Jana Melichova made history at the Tipsport Czech Ladies Open in 2022 when she became the first Czech amateur to win on the LET, after securing a one-shot victory over Klara Davidson Spilkova and Nicole Broch Estrup at Royal Beroun Golf Club in her home country.
Still an amateur when she won her breakthrough victory, aged 24, she took the decision straight afterwards to turn professional and take up membership of the LET.
The former Old Dominion college student, now in her second year on the LET and ranked 50th midway through the season, started 2023 strongly with a tie for fifth in the Lalla Meryem Cup in Morocco.
However, the LET winner is managing her expectations as she attempts to defend the title this week.
Admitting to feeling nervous, she said: “I’m feeling pretty good but I’m trying to stay chilled and not over-motivated. A bunch of people have asked me about defending, so it is changing my mindset subconsciously, but I am trying to approach it in the same way as any other tournament. I’ll be playing for birdies and eagles, as normal.
“I’ve been struggling a bit, I had a few missed cuts, but I had a good tournament in Belgium and I hope I can defend my title. My mindset is that if you can do it once, you can do it again.
“I think it’s going to be really tough, this year. All the great results from Klara, super steady results from Sara and this amazing win from Kristyna. It’s going to be tough, but I love the course. It’s my type of course and it fits me. If you’re long, it doesn’t give you much advantage but if you’re precise and good into the greens it gives you good chances for scoring.”
Melichova, who grew up in Pikovice, a small town near Prague, is excited to have the home support and her father, who was her role model growing up, will be watching from outside the ropes.
“It’s always nice playing at home and to sleep in your own bed,” she continued. “I know the course pretty well. It’s a beautiful course and I have played here a few weeks ago, but now I’m defending, we’ll see how it goes.”
The Tipsport Czech Ladies Open is now in its fourth year at Royal Beroun Golf Club. The dynamic par-72 course was designed by Canadian architect Les Furber and was opened in May 2009. The course can be reached from the centre of Prague in 30 minutes and yet is located in a beautiful natural setting offering stunning views of the Brdy ridges, Krivoklat forests and the valley of the Berounka River.
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