Ayaka Furue stormed to a three-shot victory at Dundonald Links in 2022 after firing a final round of 62 (-10).
The Japanese player returns to the 2023 FREED GROUP Women’s Scottish Open Presented by Trust Golf full of memories from last year.
Rounds of 69-68-68-62 were more than enough for the 23-year-old to walk away with victory – her first on the LET and LPGA Tour.
And Furue is pleased to be back in Scotland this week ready to defend her title in the tricky conditions that she battled last year.
“I’m very happy to be back here and very excited to be playing this week,” said Furue. “My main memory is when I got the six consecutive birdies. I also remember when I hit the third shot on the 18th hole, I think that was a special shot for me.
“It was my rookie year, so that was very important for me, and that made gave me big confidence to play till today. I felt very relieved to get this win.
“The second year for me, I have learned a lot of things during the Tour, like travelling around, and how to play every week, and my English. I’m very much enjoying the Tour.
“I’m very happy to be able to make history; that a Japanese player could win in this place. When I went back to Japan, all the Japanese fans, already know the bunkers and the course is very difficult. So, they were very happy that I was able to win in that condition, and everybody said great job.”
Furue will get the defence of her title underway at 7.43 am (local time) alongside Scotland’s Gemma Dryburgh and Thailand’s Atthaya Thitikul.
The course is playing softer this year due to rainfall but there is still plenty of wind around and it will be a test of links golf.
The LPGA Tour winner is hoping she can once again tame the wind at Dundonald, but after practising has also realised how good her final round last year was.
She explained: “I’m only trying to be a good friend with the wind on this course and enjoy my golf this week. By playing the practise round today, I really realised what the 10-under is a very, very great score for me to play on this course.
“My caddie, he was very, very happy that he was able to win here. He had a couple of wins, but this place is very special for him.”
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