Anne-Charlotte Mora took last week off to celebrate her maiden victory in the Åland100 Ladies Open by Alandsbanken in Finland and the 25-year-old Frenchwoman has returned to the LET ready to compete for her national title at the Lacoste Ladies Open de France.
There have been five French winners of the Open de France, most recently Céline Boutier in 2021, as well as her namesake Céline Herbin in 2015, Stephanie Arricau in 2004, Patricia Meunier-Lebouc in 2000 and Marie-Laure de Lorenzi in 1988, 1993 and 1995.
However, Mora has no expectations and she is just looking to enjoy the experience of playing at a new venue, Golf Barrière, in Deauville, safe in the knowledge that she has already secured a winner’s category of membership for 2023.
“I feel excited about playing here in France, because it’s home, but I have no pressure for next year, so now I’m playing for fun in a relaxed manner with no stress,” she said.
“It’s nice to speak French and be with other people. I don’t know if my game is the best it’s ever been, but mentally, I’m more relaxed.”
Mora’s win in Åland was based on great putting and not looking at scoreboards. When asked about her winning formula, she said: “I just believed in my putting: that was it. My game was not the best, but I won. I think it’s just because I was so calm and not thinking about the scores and just making the shots. I think it was more about the mental game.”
She loves to chat to her caddie in between shots and will have the company of Francoise Bertin, a 3-handicapper from her club, Isle d’Or, on her bag this week. She is also joined by some of her other friends who have made the four-hour car journey from Nantes to show their support.
“It’s fun to have people you know around and it will be fun to chat to Francoise,” she said. “I’m looking forward to a great week.”
