CARTA ENJOYING RETURN TO SWITZERLAND

At last year’s VP Bank Swiss Ladies Open, Virginia Elena Carta produced an excellent final round of 65 (-7) to finish in a tie for fifth place – her best result on the Ladies European Tour (LET).

It was a great finish to her first summer of being professional and later in the year, the Milan native secured status for the 2022 season on the LET at Q-School.

Now Carta returns to Golfpark Holzhäusern with over a year of being a professional under her belt, and the 25-year-old is looking forward to the week ahead – especially as it is just a short trip from her home.

“It’s lovely here,” she said. “It is a beautiful course; I think it is challenging but also rewarding. I think it gives a few good birdie chances that you really have to take on. It’s nice to be back in Switzerland and it’s not too far away from where I live which is a bonus.

“I have learned that you need to preserve as much energy as you can, there is so much travel to be done that you really have to know your body very well and know your game because you have to adapt week after week on different courses and different conditions. I have learned to know my game a little bit better, it’s not about changing anything drastically, it’s more about adapting and knowing different scenarios and shots to be hit.”

The Cambridge University graduate has fond memories of her final two rounds in Switzerland – where she shot 66 (-6) and 65 (-7) – to climb up the leaderboard.

But, despite such a good showing at the 2021 edition of the tournament, Carta is not putting any pressure or expectations on herself.

Instead, the Italian is focused on playing her normal game and hopes to have plenty of birdie chances which she can take advantage of.

“It was a good end of my season last year with this tournament and Lacoste Ladies Open de France the following week,” she continued.

“It makes you understand that you can be here and compete at the highest level and you can contend in a tournament. Once you know that you put it to the back of your mind and keep on trying to improve your game to be at the top.

“It’s difficult because it’s super competitive, the LET has a lot of good players and you always have to improve week after week. I’m trying to not put any expectations on myself. I’m just going to play my game.

“Obviously, you remember good rounds you have played, but for this week I’m focused on trying to keep the ball in the fairway and give myself as many birdie…