Florentyna aims to learn from Spieth’s fightback
WATCHING Jordan Spieth’s thrilling charge to the Claret Jug last Sunday was perfect motivation for Florentyna Parker’s own Open bid.
The 28-year-old is a member at Royal Birkdale and was there last weekend as part of the record crowds for an Open in England.
And it has left her suitably inspired. Parker has been at the Ladies Scottish Open at Dundonald Links before she heads from west coast to east for the Women’s British Open at Kingsbarns.
“It was absolutely fantastic at Birkdale,” she says. “The course was brilliant. You were rewarded for good shots and punished for bad ones.
“It’s a fantastic venue and I’ve been so lucky to play in two British Opens there myself.
“Seeing how Jordan Spieth and Matt Kuchar played was really motivating for any golfer. Spieth’s last five holes were incredible.
“I’ve certainly never been that far right on the 13th as Jordan was. At most courses, the practice ground would be out of bounds, but he was fine. It sounds strange but sometimes it’s better to miss by miles than be just off line.
“It was hard to watch a pro lose it at the Masters last year like he did, and you thought it might happen to him again.
“But he went to another level in the last few holes and showed he’d learned a big lesson. That was interesting to see and try to learn from.
“Now I’m looking forward to the British Open. I’ve never played Kingsbarns before, but I’ve only heard good things about it.”
This is part of a huge month of golf for Parker. She is currently second on the Ladies European Tour points list for the Solheim Cup, which takes place in Iowa in just three weeks’ time and the British Open is the last counting event.
Florentyna went over to America in May for a bonding and practice session organised by European captain Annika Sorenstam, but now she is desperate to return and do it all for real.
“I’ve been playing well for the last 18 months, so I deserve to be in this position,” states Florentyna, who won April’s Mediterranean Ladies Open in Spain.
“But it’s up to me to now make sure I get into the team.
“It was great to go to Des Moines and get to know everyone and I liked the golf course. Annika was a fantastic player who everyone looks up to, and she’ll be a great captain.”