Lianna is hoping to win a place in Curtis Cup squad
KIRBY MUXLOE AMATEUR ALSO KEEN TO IMPROVE WORLD RANKING TO GET INTO BIGGER TOURNAMENTS
LIANNA Bailey (Kirby Muxloe) has returned to America at the start of her new term at Oklahoma State University where she is in the third year of her golf scholarship, writes Jennifer Prentice.
After successes at the end of 2020 when she won a tournament and a major award, her targets for the new year are to continue to do well both on and off the golf course.
Lianna, 24, spent time over Christmas and the new year at home with her family, while completing some of her exams online.
But now she is refreshed and eager to start her university work as well as getting back to her golfing schedule.
Her tournaments start again in Florida early in February, although she said her coach has told them there could be a tournament this month.
Lianna said: “We will just have to wait for our exact starting date, but I am really looking forward to it all.
“My win in Texas last November has given me a lot of confidence and has improved my position on the world rankings for amateur ladies, which is important in what is likely to be a Curtis Cup year. I know too a lot more about what I need to achieve to bring forward my rankings and just what it will mean for my golfing opportunities if I can do so.
“For example, my room-mate Mia Stark from Sweden got into the US Ladies Open Championship last month.
“She made the cut and eventually finished in joint 13th spot, which was very good indeed.
“Another student from Texas also made the cut in this major championship and ended a couple of strokes higher. The higher the world rankings position you can achieve, the better.
“The top 75 opens up playing opportunities and, of course, top 50 is even better because you can get into more and bigger events.
“I feel very privileged and fortunate to be at Oklahoma State, one of the top universities in America.
“Our home course, Karsten Creek, is rated as one of the very best – and extremely difficult – in central America and the facilities and funding are amazing.
“Many of our alumni make major contributions throughout the year, including, for example, top PGA Tour professional Rickie Fowler and others.
“The name Karsten Creek comes from the late Karsten Solheim, the founder of the Ping golf equipment brand.
“The practice facilities at the course are excellent.
“There are ranges, three putting greens, four chipping greens, all superb and kept in top condition.
“The club is open to visitors, but it is very spacious and you are never conscious of any lack of room in which to practice and to play.
“We also have an extremely strong men’s squad and we are all encouraged to play together with a lively competitive element, so it makes it highly enjoyable and beneficial.
“The boys’ fund-raising event last year raised a vast amount and the ladies’ is taking place this spring, so we are hoping that will also be a big success and a memorable occasion.”
Lianna is taking a four-year psychology degree course which she said is also going well.
“This is also very important to me as it will be a huge benefit to my future in golf whatever I decide to do,” she said.
“It is crucial at this point to continue to develop as a golfer and to do well in my educational career to help to make the right choices over the next year or so.
“It will be great, of course, if I am selected for the Curtis Cup squad, so there are a considerable number and variety of golfing options coming along in the next few months.
“But a lot will depend on the coronavirus developments too.
“I have had to self-isolate four times in the last few months for a total of eight weeks, which wasn’t easy.”
Lianna’s younger sister Jessica goes back on Friday to Louisana University, another of America’s top universities.
Their father Ian is a qualified PGA professional who has been highly acclaimed for his coaching.