BROCH ESTRUP IN A GOOD SPACE HEADING INTO KPMG WOMEN’S IRISH OPEN

Nicole Broch Estrup has good memories of Dromoland Castle after she finished in a tie for second place in 2022.

The Dane produced a final round of 68 (-4) but was ultimately defeated in a playoff by Czechia’s Klara Davidson Spilkova.

However, it was one of Broch Estrup’s highlights of 2022 as she felt good throughout the whole week mentally and it gave her plenty of motivation for this season.

“It was obviously good,” said the 30-year-old. “It was one of the weeks last year where at least in the end of the final round, I hit what people would call in the zone.

“I was just trying to hit good shots and didn’t really realise I made three birdies on 15, 16 and 17 and put myself up in the lead. It was definitely one of my highlight weeks from last year, I definitely have good memories.

“It was really nice to have all four rounds. The way I was feeling in the playoff as well, beforehand if I put myself in some contention, I would get scared of hitting bad shots but that was the first time in a couple of years where I was not scared of hitting good shots.

“I felt like I did my best in the playoff hole, I was trying to hit good shots and that was a huge step in the right direction. Obviously, I still remember I left the putt just short in the middle but overall, no matter the outcome I was really happy to put myself in that position and feel the way I did mentally.

“Even carrying on to this year, just knowing that I’m capable of hitting that mental spot again was giving me a lot of motivation going forward and thinking about winning again.”

The Dane spoke on the LET Golf Podcast in May about the anxiety and nerves that have been part of her game for the past two years.

But the LET winner heads into this week off the back of a T6 finish in Scotland, T44 at the AIG Women’s Open and T43 at the ISPS HANDA World Invitational.

And Broch Estrup is pleased to be in a good place mentally and feels that she is ready to secure a second victory on Tour.

She explained: “It was just nice to feel the way I did for three weeks, I was not panicking, I was just playing golf. It’s been a while since I have had it like that.

“Even in Northern Ireland, after 11 holes in the second round I was at the cut line at that time and the worries and thoughts popped up but I was able to just carry on and play. Playing for a good result or to make the cut, it was nice to have the same state of mind.

“Taking the win would be awesome and I feel like I’m…