Loveys turns back the clock and looks to the future at Mendip Spring

Tracy Loveys reprised the form that has earned her a record-equalling four WPGA Championship triumphs by winning the final OCEANTEE WPGA Series event of the season at Mendip Spring.

Ironically Loveys had played at the Somerset venue earlier in the month and, having recorded back-to-back birdies at 12 and 13 in a round of six-over, remarked she could still do it on occasions but not for 18 holes.

Not so on her return visit three weeks later. To be pedantic, the pro from Thurlestone Golf Club could reflect on 14 holes with satisfaction after overcoming an inauspicious start.

Having bogeyed each of the first four holes, she said: “I didn’t hold out too much hope when I was four-over after four.

“Then I birdied the fifth hole and knuckled down. That set me on my way.”

And how. Three more birdies and no dropped shots followed as Loveys posted a level-par score of 74 to finish two shots clear of the quintet sharing second place.

“It was a strong field and a tough course,” she added. “I was here three weeks ago, and it was bouncier than it was today, but the wind made tricky as well.

“I was a bit late on parade for qualifying for the Women’s PGA Cup team, but it doesn’t matter. It’s nice to prove to myself I can still do it.”

That strong field included some of the WPGA’s younger members and, in addition to her personal satisfaction at turning back the clock, Loveys views the future with optimism.

Her three-ball included Holly Morgan (above), the winner of the Order of Merit in 2019 and one of the five who finished tied-second; Rebecca McGeehan, a trainee at Royal Liverpool was another member of the quintet; and Abigail O’Riordan, who has won this year’s Order of Merit, is a trainee at Royal Norwich.

“The future of the WPGA looks in good hands,” Loveys reflected. “It’s very encouraging.”

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