Freedom to play my own game
Pamela: I won’t be under pressure on Ustour debut
Pamela Pretswell will head off to California next month to take part in her first US Women’s Tour, and is happy that she can just play her own game.
The Hamilton 27-year-old clinched the last of five spots in a European qualifier in Buckinghamshire Golf Club last Wednesday, and will play at Cordevalle from July 7-10.
A three-under-par total allowed Pamela to join French duo Jade Schaeffer and Valentine Darrey, Swede Camilla Lennarth and German Olivia Cowan.
Pamela says there’s no pressure on her to succeed, and while she has goals of her own, just wants to see how well she can do.
She said: “It was a brilliant feeling to have qualified and I’m really looking forward to it. It’s the first time I’ve qualified for this and my first time playing a major competition in the US, so I’m delighted.
“I took part in the British Open last year and achieved a career-best 14th, but this is my first major as a pro, and my first time in the US as a pro and a major. I’ll be up against the best players in the world, and I can’t wait!”
Pamela added: “California is always a place I wanted to go to, and to have my first major there is excellent – it will certainly be warmer than it is here.
“It will be a good opportunity to test myself; the best players in the world will be there, all the top girls in there.
“There’s no expectation of me, which is nice, because it means I can go and test my game and do my best.
“However, I want to go and put in my best performance and see where that takes me.
“Getting one of the top five places has given me a lot of confidence, so I’m really looking forward to it. I have a few qualifiers and plenty of time to prepare, so it will be good.”
Pamela turned professional in 2012 after helping Great Britain and Ireland to win the Curtis Cup, and admits she can’t believe she gets to play the sport full-time.
“I turned professional just after the Curtis Cup win in 2012, so that’s been four years,” she said.
“It was always my goal to turn professional when I graduated, but it has been better than I imagined and I’ve really enjoyed it so far.
“I feel like I found my feet last year when I achieved the best result I’ve had on the European Tour, and there are a lot worse jobs that I could be doing!”
Pamela had to endure some nerve-wracking moments in Buckinghamshire, but had dad William and fiancé Ryan with her.
She said: “I had fifth spot but there was one player who could catch me so that was a bit of a wait, but it was nice to hear that I had made it and didn’t need to take part in a play-off.
“All the girls get on really well, it’s known as the friendliest tour out there, and we all encourage each other. We’re competitive but friendly, and that helps.”