Emily graduates to the next level

GURGAON: Of course, learning is gradual, but the past month has quickened the process for young Emily Kristine Pedersen. A recent graduate, she is now better placed to explain how vastly different the demands of professional golf are. Especially, after experiencing both ends of the spectrum.

Last month, the 19-year-old lost the playoff at the Lacoste Ladies Open de France, and while she did come away wiser, the memories of that bruising finish nearly robbed the Dane of her breakthrough win on the Ladies European Tour.

Though not sweating, she woke up on Sunday a tad nervous as a wire-to-wire win at the Hero Women’s Indian Open was a distinct possibility. Just a shot between her and the rest, the mind kept wandering to the past as she made her way to the tee box. Starting with a bogey did not help, but as the sun got higher and the putter warmed up, some order was restored. Even then, with the trio of Cheyenne Woods, Becky Morgan and Malene Jorgensen threatening at various junctures, Emily did not stop looking at the leaderboard.

She had told herself in the morning that even-par would be good enough, given the trend this week at the DLF Golf and Country Club, and things seemed in control well after making the turn.

Troubled started to brew from the 14th as her lead was cut by one. Thereafter, several bad shots followed, but they were interspersed by some good ones, like the birdie on the next, as Emily ensured she kept herself in play.

The bogey on the 17th got her thinking as prospects of a playoff started to loom. The putter threatening to get cold as the hands trembled, it was her caddy, Mike, to the rescue, talking to her all the while as the leader group came down the 18th.

The putt for par would have sealed the rookie of the year award, but Emily pulled back after committing herself. “I was shaking,” she said with a shudder. Mike’s advice to slow down and treat it as a normal putt did not help as she missed.

The man on the bag stepped up once more as his player retreated again after lining up the bogey putt. This time, the words registered, and as the ball rolled in the hands came to cover the face. They were still shaking, but out of relief as the past had been exorcised.