Davies “still good enough to win”

Laura Davies may have turned 48, but she remains adamant that age is irrelevant when it comes to winning.
Laura Davies may have turned 48 a fortnight ago but she remains adamant that age is irrelevant when it comes to winning golf tournaments.
As a winner of 79 titles worldwide over a 26-year career, she should know, but after collecting five wins in 2010, The Solheim Cup is the only trophy she has lifted so far this season having played her part in Europe’s memorable victory at Killeen Castle in September.
“If you’re good enough, you’re good enough. It doesn’t matter if it’s 20 years ago or 20 years from now,” she told media during a press conference ahead of this week’s Sanya Ladies Open in Hainan, China.
“Tom Watson nearly won the men’s British Open last year at 60 years old. I’ve got 11 years on that. If you’re good enough, you’re good enough: it doesn’t matter how old you are.
“I just play where I like the golf courses. If I play a tournament one year and don’t like the course, I don’t go back, but on the whole, the courses I like, I would play and keep playing.
“What’s to slow down for? I’m still good enough. This year I’ve not played well and I have played well, I’ve just not holed any putts. The scoring could have been very different this year if I had.”
Davies’ best finish this season was a share of seventh at the New Zealand Ladies Open on the Ladies European Tour, where she is currently ranked 42nd on the Henderson Money List, compared with second in 2010.
Since turning professional in 1985, she has won at least one tournament every year bar 2005 and is playing in each of the final four events of the 2011 Ladies European Tour season in an attempt to keep up her exemplary record.
The four-time major champion still has a strong love for the game and feels that she has a good chance at the Yalong Bay Golf Club, which is hosting this week’s event for the second successive year.
This is my sixth visit to China. I always enjoy coming here but haven’t done well so far in this country so hopefully this year will be different,” said Davies, who will be teeing off in the first round at the Hainan venue on Friday for the first time.
“I like the course. It was very windy yesterday, so it was difficult to work out the golf course and how it’s going to play this week. Hopefully the wind drops down and gives us a chance to make many birdies because the fairways are quite generous and the greens are big enough; it’s a very good course for my game and I think it’s going to suit me very well.”
As ever, Davies has high hopes and added: “My goal for this week is to try and win: try to win the tournament because that’s why we’re here.
“We’re not here to have a holiday; we’re here to try and win a Chinese tournament and obviously it’s very important for me.”
South African Lee-Anne Pace is defending the title against a strong field of 108 competitors from 27 different countries, including 31 players from China.
At 13, Chinese amateur Shi Yuting is the youngest player in the field, while England’s Melissa Reid and Austrian Stefanie Michl are among those most expected to do well.
Latest
-
European Tour
Ian Poulter among three LIV Golf Series players to get Scottish Open reprieve
Poulter, Adrian Otaegui and Justin Harding have had their suspensions temporarily stayed.
-
News
Graeme McDowell shocked by people wishing him dead since switching to LIV Golf
The 2010 US Open champion acknowledged his switch to LIV was “about the money”.
-
PGA Tour
JT Poston completes wire-to-wire victory at John Deere Classic
England’s Callum Tarren bogeyed two of his last four holes en route to a one-under 70 as he was forced to settle for equal-sixth place.
-
European Tour
Adrian Meronk makes history for Poland as David Law celebrates Open berth
Meronk’s flying finish made him his country’s first winner on the DP World Tour.
-
News
Paul Casey becomes latest player to join LIV Golf series
He opted out of the inaugural Saudi International on the European Tour in 2019 citing concerns over the country’s human rights record.
-
European Tour
Adrian Meronk has the edge as he aims to make Tour history for Poland
A third round of 68 at Mount Juliet means a one-shot advantage on a crowded leaderboard.
-
European Tour
Shane Lowry birdies last four holes to make Irish Open cut
Jorge Campillo tops the leaderboard at the midway point.
-
European Tour
Keith Pelley hits back at 16 players threatening DP World Tour with legal action
Pelley says the sanctions against players who competed in the first LIV Golf event are ‘proportionate’ and ‘fair’.
-
PGA Tour
JT Poston takes two-shot lead at John Deere Classic
The 29-year-old also became the first player on record to open consecutive Tour events with 62 or better.
-
European Tour
Ryan Fox surprised to be leading after opening round of Horizon Irish Open
The New Zealander carded a flawless 64 to set the pace at Mount Juliet.