Klára Davidson Spilková: As always you have to adapt to the conditions

Klára Davidson Spilková returns to Dundonald Links near Troon, Scotland, where she tied for the fourth place with later world number one Lydia Ko of New Zealand eight years ago. Although Klára Davidson Spilková won’t meet the New Zealander at this year’s FREED GROUP Women’s Scottish Open presented by Trust Golf, she won’t be the only Czech golfer in the starting field as her countrywoman, Jana Melichová, who played here last year, will also return to the renowned eighteen-hole course.

“Scotland welcomed us with beautiful weather on Monday, but today it’s already raining, windy and fifteen degrees Celsius, so it’s typical local weather. They say it has been like this for a month. In a way, it’s good because the course is beautifully green and soft,” Davidson Spilková said after the first practice round.

In 2015, Davidson Spilková was one of only five players who managed to bring her score below the course par, which speaks to its difficulty.

“I remember my first tournament at Dundonald Links well, and I can see that there have been many changes, like the new extension of the clubhouse with accommodation. Fortunately, the course has remained the same and will probably be just as challenging. But then again It’s always similar here – you have to adapt to the conditions. I know Scotland well, I’ve played here a lot, so I think it could be good,” the Czech professional is convinced.

Davidson Spilková is now scheduled to play several tournaments on the British Isles and in Ireland, mostly on links courses that are specific due to their coastal character, dunes and heather, which requires slight adjustments to the game strategy.

“We play on a links so we have to adjust every aspect of the game. I’ve just finished fitting new clubs and testing new wedges. The balls are flying a bit lower now, which will be useful on these windy courses. I believe we have a great week ahead, and I’ll say it again: Let’s wish for good weather, less wind and rain – but you never know in Scotland,” the player remains optimistic.

Davidson Spilková will start the tournament on Thursday at 7:43 local time from the first hole. The draw placed her in a group with a third Czech player in the starting field, Kristýna Napoleaová, who will play Dundonald Links for the first time, and the Swede Daniela Holmqvist. The trio will tee off at hole 10 at 12:53 on Friday:

Klára Davidson Spilková’s tournament schedule:

3–6 August 2023                                Women’s Scottish Open, Troon, Scotland

10–13 August 2023                           AIG Women’s Open, Surrey, England

31 August – 3 September 2023         KPMG Women’s Irish Open, Newmarket-on-Fergus, Ireland