“My hip was the reason I withdrew from the tournaments in Scotland and the Netherlands. I’ve been doing everything I can since July to be able to play at St. Andrews. I’m exercising and undergoing daily medical and physiotherapy treatments, including icing. I feel much better now, but the cold and rainy weather here is not helping with full recovery. It’s quite chilly, and it rains frequently. Today’s weather was especially unpredictable – one moment it’s raining, only to shine a minute later. But we were relatively lucky during our practice round, and now it’s a lot of work for Sean, who is here for the first time. He needs to study the course and prepare the best strategy for us, especially on the back nine. My mental coach, Petr Jan Řehák, has also flown in, and his help will be crucial here,” the golfer shared just before the tournament.

The course is not new to Davidson Spilková, though, as she made her debut here already in 2013. This year, she won’t be the only Czech representative at the tournament. Jana Melichová, the winner of the July Dutch Ladies Open, has also made it into the field.

“My first Women’s Open was right here on the Old Course, which is truly a magical place – like a dream come true. We were also lucky enough to play one of the practice rounds today with Jana [Melichová], and we really enjoyed it. For all of us, just having the opportunity to play here is an enormous experience and an honour, especially alongside the biggest stars in the world. There aren’t many tournaments that can compare to this one. It’s like being part of a very long and rich history,” the professional shared her feelings about St. Andrews.

Indeed, the competition will see the world’s best golfers – Czech-speaking Nelly Korda, Olympic champion Lydia Ko of New Zealand, American Lexi Thompson and local favourite Charley Hull.

“It’s a celebration for us, and I am really looking forward to the tournament. Not just the first tee and the final green, which are truly special, but I will do everything I can to play all four competitive rounds here,” the golfer reported directly from the course.

The AIG Women’s Open will be played from Thursday, 22 August to Sunday, 25 August on the Old Course in St. Andrews, Scotland. Klára Davidson Spilková will begin the first round from hole 10 at 2.05 p.m. local time. She will be grouped with American Auston Kim and Japanese Momoko Osato. Jana Melichová will follow from the same tee just 11 minutes later, at 2.16 p.m., along with Spanish Marta Martín, who won the tournament in Beroun this year, and Irish Lauren Walsh.

Klára Davidson Spilková’s tournament schedule:

22-25 August 2024                             AIG Women’s Open, St. Andrews, Scotland

29 August – 1 September 2024         KPMG Women’s Irish Open, Dublin, Ireland

Photo:             Tristan Jones / LET