Florentyna Parker (England) 71 66 70=207 (-9)
What are your thoughts on your final round?
I started off with a bogey which was not very good, a three-putt, but I usually start with bogeys so I was still quite relaxed. I followed up with a birdie on number three so that calmed me down. I wanted to start with a few pars just to keep me going and after that I was really relaxed and calm and was looking forward to it.
Were you nervous?
The first few holes, I mean, I was nervous, but I think the other players would be as well. I was speaking to my caddie so that helps obviously. We were having a lot of fun on the course so that was nice.
What do you talk about on the course?
You don’t want to know about that. We talk about everything.
Are you gossip girls?
Well, yeah, we don’t really gossip but we don’t see each other very often so we had a lot of catching up to do. We had a really good time. I hope she enjoyed it as well. It was her first time.
She doesn’t play golf – is that an advantage?
I don’t know. I’ve always had friends and family caddie for me and most of them don’t play golf at all so I didn’t really mind and she did a good job. She didn’t stand in anyone’s line; she was quiet when she needed to be quiet and said the right things in between shots.
Your family is a golf family.
My father and my brother are professionals. My brother caddied for me in Dubai last year and did quite well.
Does he give you any advice?
No, I do it myself. I tend to know my game the best. I don’t need anyone to tell me what to do. In certain circumstances it’s nice to have someone who knows a bit about golf but I’ve coped so far and I’m fine without a professional caddie. So far so good. I have people I trust on my bag and we have a good time.
Laura Davies was the favourite here. Was that a factor?
For me it’s great. No-one expects me to win; no-one watched me play the first two days and I didn’t think anyone expected me to be leading so it was a very easy first two rounds and obviously the last round I’m leading by two shots. I got back a bit but I kept going and played the way I played the last two rounds. I was very steady, I was hardly in any trouble. You can’t go wrong with that.
Did you have any problems with the rain?
No, I play better in rain. I’m English.
What does it mean to you to have your first victory in Holland?
I’m delighted wherever it is but it’s nice that I can drive home and there’s no pressure. I can enjoy the moment and we can have a leisurely drive back. I live in Hamburg so we can enjoy it.
Will tonight be a fun night?
I’m not sure yet; I need to discuss that with my caddie.
Did you look at the leader board?
Yes, I did. My playing partner was doing well so I knew I needed to be better than her. Coming down the last I knew I needed to hit the fairway and hit the green and then I can relax. I had three putts and I’m glad I made the birdie because it’s really nice finishing on a birdie. Two under par, I just wanted to play really steady, not give it away today, make people make a lot of birdies to beat me and I’m really happy that I made a few putts drop.
Are your father and brother playing golf now?
My father is a teaching professional and he’s my coach; my brother was on the Challenge Tour but he’s had a couple of injuries. He’s starting from the bottom again. My two uncles are professionals, but they are all teachers.
How long have you wanted to be a professional golfer?
Probably since I was 13. I had my first two events on the Ladies European Tour and so I could see what it was all about. I really enjoyed it then and I knew it was what I wanted to be.
What are your goals for the rest of the season?
I’m glad that I’m in the Evian Masters and the Ricoh Women’s British Open, which is on my home club, Royal Birkdale. I’m really looking forward to that and will hopefully play well there. I have fulfilled my goals for this year so I’ll see whatever happens and I hope I continue playing well, keep finishing in the top ten and I’m delighted with that.
Jeehae Lee (Korea) 71 77 65=213 (-3)
Jeehae, you’ve just shot a seven under par 65 which contained five birdies and one eagle and is currently a course record. You must be pleased.
I am. This is my lowest round of my career so I’m obviously very, very happy with the results.
What was the key?
Putting always helps and I felt very relaxed this morning warming up. I didn’t hit many good shots yesterday shooting five over but today I just said, ‘It’s a walk in the park. I’ve nothing to lose; I’m just going to relax and have fun out there.’
How were the conditions out there this morning?
It was great; a little bit overcast but no rain, nice calm weather.
How did you make your eagle?
On number three I hit a good drive, I had 200 to the front and hit a very solid three-wood. It trickled up there and I thought it was going to go in actually. It was a tap-in eagle.
Can you talk about your background, how you played on the LPGA last year and how you came onto the LET this season?
I played on the LPGA last year, didn’t have a particularly good season but it was a good learning process and I still retain some status on the LPGA Tour but I thought it would be a good idea to get status on this tour and fill in the schedules for the year.
You attended Yale University, so what was that like?
I was a golf (student)at Yale. They don’t pay any scholarship but I played my freshman year and then I actually quit golf for three years. I didn’t play golf at all my sophomore or junior years and my senior spring, right before I graduated I re-joined the team and had a lot of fun with the girls on the team. My game was still intact so I thought why not give this a try before I give it up completely so I turned professional after graduation in 2006.
What do you think about this golf course?
I love it. It’s in spectacular condition. I couldn’t believe how nice it was when I first got here. Conditions firmed up a little bit throughout the week so I guess I managed to role the ball up there to the hole on every hole.
How important is the score today?
I got lucky today playing in the morning. I just thought go as low as I can and see what happens.
Why did you quit golf for three years?
I thought I needed to take advantage of what Yale had to offer as a student. I did have obligations to the team but it wasn’t like I had a signed contract saying I would be committed to the team for four years. It was a struggle my freshman year to manage my time and try to have a social life. Being away every weekend from Thursday to Sunday night took a toll on me and I have a lot of other things in my life so I wanted to explore other options. I ended up going to China for a semester abroad and I was very involved with the Korean American students committee at Yale. I really am glad that golf took a little break in my life.
What did you major in?
Economics.
Are you going to Switzerland?
Yes. I am going home to Orlando for a week before Switzerland.
What are your goals this year?
More top tens, more good rounds. My golfing career is very short. I didn’t start playing seriously until graduating from school so every day I’m learning. Hopefully it will all come together this year or next year.
