SCOTTISH golfer Pamela Pretswell’s game has shown an impressive level of consistent improvement since she turned professional four years ago – and tomorrow will mark another significant milestone when she tees off in her first Major championship on American soil.
The 27-year-old made it through the qualifying event at Buckinghamshire Golf Club six weeks ago, claiming the fifth of five available spots for the US Women’s Open at CordeValle, in California, and while many would be daunted at the prospect of facing up to the world’s best, Pretswell can’t wait to get started.
“I’m really excited, although I’m sure there will be a few nerves,” she said. “I’m trying to treat it like a normal tournament but it’s a massive thing for me to be able to gauge myself against the best in the world. To play on such a good-quality golf course against these guys will be a good test for me, and I’ll be able to see how I match up against them.”
Pretswell goes into the US Open in good form; she claimed the best result of her pro career just two-and-a-half weeks ago when she finished joint second at the Tipsport Women’s Masters in Pilsen, Czech Republic.
The Hamilton player said: “I had quite a few top 10s last year but never managed to push into the top five, so to get second place was great.
“That gives me a lot of confidence – it’s been nice to see the improvement over the last few years. I’ve felt that everything was really coming together so it was good to see the hard work pay off.”
Pretswell is unusual in that she hasn’t plateaued at all since turning pro. It is notoriously difficult to continue on an upward curve after graduating from the amateur game, but the Scot has improved her final position in the Ladies European Tour Order of Merit each year.
Pretswell said: “My game has changed a lot since I turned pro. I grew up playing a lot of links golf but when I went on Tour it was more target golf. I used to hate that but I absolutely love it now. I used to struggle with my putting but that’s got a lot better, which makes such a difference. I’d like to say my patience is good all the time as well, but that would be a lie.
“The US Open qualifying is the most patient I’ve ever been and having reaped the reward, I think that’s helped teach me just how important that is.”
Lying 14th, Pretswell is the leading Scot in the European Order of Merit – only Catriona Matthew is ahead of her in the world rankings – but there are a handful of her countrywomen breathing down her neck.
The intense competition is, she believes, hugely positive both for herself and for the Scottish game as a whole. The strength in depth of the women’s game definitely pushes me on,” Pretswell said. “Kylie Walker won twice on the Tour two years ago. I’ve known Kylie since I was 14 and seeing her do well gives me confidence too.
“I’ve learned a lot from her and I think she’s really pushed all the Scottish girls on.
“I know if I can keep ahead then that’s a good indication about how I’m doing, but I have my own goals and I try to concentrate on myself.”
Pretswell did not take up golf until she was 14, having been a badminton and tennis player until then – she represented Britain at tennis as a junior and was a squad-mate of Andy Murray’s – but believes coming to golf later than some of her peers has been a positive.
“There are a lot of girls who were good at golf when I started who now no longer play, so potentially, if I’d played golf from a younger age, I might not be playing now,” Pretswell said. “And I think the hand-eye coordination you pick up from sports like badminton and tennis can be so helpful.”
Pretswell has a busy summer ahead; her maiden US Open appearance will be quickly followed by the Scottish Open and then the British Open, in which she finished an impressive 14th last year.
“I’d like to say that I don’t put too much pressure on myself but I probably do,” she said. “You always want to do well but over the last few years, I’ve learned that when I have lower expectations, I do better.
“I’d love to win on the European Tour within the next year or two and I’d love to finish in the top 10 of the Order of Merit, but I know that comes from just doing the same things over and over again, and hopefully I’ll continue to progress.”
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