Chasing Pars Golf Podcast

After a tough slog of 5 years on this podcast I finally reached the milestone episode where Chasing Pars Golf Podcast turns 200 it was a pleasure to be joined by 2x Ladies Europran Tour winner, 1x Symetra Tour winner & Swiss Olympian Morgane Metraux from sunny Florida!  Morgane was brought up in Lausanne, Switzerland and along with Ladies European Tour member sister Kim would start to play the game at the age of 10. Morgane would go to Florida State University receiving All American honours in the process at FSU. In her Amateur career Morgane has represented Switzerland twice at Espirito Santo Trophy, represented Switzerland 3 times at European Ladies' Amateur Team Championships and participated in 2017 Vagliano Trophy for Europe which they won. Morgane would also shoot (-10) 62 at European Individual Ladies Amateur Championship. Morgane would make the jump to professional life in 2018 and by her own admission a little bit of a rocky road the first few years which included a long injury, Covid and looking for confidence. In 2021 on Symetra Tour (now Epson) she would win Island Resort Championship by 1 shot to Maude-Aimee LeBlanc. 2022 would see Morgane win her maiden LET title at Italian Women's Open getting the better of Alessandra Fanali (am at the time) & Meg MacLaren in a playoff before winning 2024 Jabra Ladies Open at her favourite place in the world Evian Resort!  This year Morgane plans to mix up LET & LPGA starts as she looks to have a better year after a poor 2025 from her own standards. I want to thank Morgane for being such a great guest and had a lot of fun recording this! Be sure to download via Podbean, Apple Podcasts & Spotify! Thank you for the wavering support in reaching 200 episodes! 

In the first recorded episode of Chasing Pars Golf Podcast it was great to be joined by the talented Indian star Avani Prashanth fresh off a full rookie season on Ladies European Tour where she would finish 36th on LET Order of Merit standings including 2 5th placed finishes at Hulencourt Open where she would be the leader and at her home event at Hero Indian Women's Open at DLF and would also finish the season strong 11th at Andalucia Open de Espana. Avani is from Bangalore in India and would start playing the game at 3 years of age and would win her first event on IGU Tour at 14 years old in 2021 as an amateur.  Avani would have some great experiences as a junior and amateur playing in prestigious events such as Patsy Hankins Trophy for Team Asia, 2023 Asian Games in China with India & one of the major highlights being the individual winner of 2023 Queen Sirikit Cup and helping India finish 2nd in the team aspect. Avani would also become the first Indian amateur player to at Augusta National Women's Amateur Championship & the first Indian player to qualify for US Womens Amateur Open. In 2023 on LET Access Series would see Avani Prashanth win Ahlsell Trophy defeating Matilda Björkman & Isabell Ekström by a shot to further enhance her status as a really promising amateur to be feared.  Known for her driving distance and accuracy as well as her fearless approach on the golf course it's clear to see how talented Avani is even at 19 years of age! She also is a big advocate for inspiring other young golfers to take up the game! Thanks Avani for a good chat and wish you well for the start of this season and beyond! Be sure to download via Podbean, Spotify & Apple Podcasts. Thanks for the continued support!

In this episode I was pleased to be joined by Ffion Tynan who has just turned professional after gaining Ladies European Tour Category 19 status as well as a full status on LET Access Series for 2026. Ffion is from Llanharry in Wales and would pick up the game by chance at 8 years old during a holiday in Orlando where she would get spotted and asked to play more after. From age 11 Ffion has represented Wales in all forms something she is extremely proud of and would eventually go to the States at both University of Arkansas & University of Missouri. Ffion has had some great junior success with taking part in 2x Vagliano Trophy's as well as being the English U14 Champion, IMG World Challenge Champion, Scottish U18 Champion, Welsh Ladies Strokeplay Champion, Sir Henry Cooper Invitional Champion, Welsh Girls' Champion, Welsh Amateur Champion as well as this year's European Club Trophy Individual Champion in Slovakia.  At Q School on LET Ffion would navigate through to final stage where after R1 she would be near the top of the leaderboard before admittedly struggling but all learning experience as she gains status for next year!  Thanks Ffion, a bubbly, fun person with immense talent!     Download via Podbean, Apple & Spotify

I was pleased to be joined in this episode by Social Media & YouTube star Hannah Holden who took time after Christmas shopping to chat with me about a range of topics after some recent controversial sexist takes from another pro went viral. Hannah is from Yorkshire and is a very good 3 handicap golfer who has represented the county of Yorkshire for the best part of a decade and would finish 7th at Irish Amateur & 17th at British Amateur Championship as well as play at Royal Troon in the Scottish Amateur.  We chat about the growth in the Women's game with increased prize funds and figure out who out of the LET players that got their LPGA card could go well as well as talk about Jeeno and others. Recently on Instagram a clip from Thomas Devine a PGA pro surfaced saying that he is sick of so called golf influencers trying to gain attention in response to a video Hannah put up about someone giving her unsolicited putting advice while filming in Majorca so as a result we of course had to talk about the sexism on display with some horrific takes in there from the pro. In the past year Hannah on her first year on YouTube has amassed over 24 thousand subscribers with some great content including interviewing the great man himself Justin Rose testing his knowledge on Ryder Cup while at Rose Ladies Series event (very nice!). Hannah does some great content on there so be sure to check out her YouTube channel! Hannah you were great, keep doing what you are doing and all the best for 2026! Download via Podbean, Apple Podcasts & Spotify!

I was pleased to be joined by recent LPGA & LET pro caddy Jonathan Katzman who just recently finished his 5th season out on tour as a pro caddy which he finished on a high with the highly rated Chinese talent Liqi Zeng finishing 2nd at Aramco Series event in Shenzhen after a short stint this year on Ladies European Tour with Anna Foster. Jonathan got his caddying gig started round about 2020 on the Korn Ferry Tour and had some nice runs but it was the run in with Nataliya Guseva that shaped his caddying career in a successful run helping her win on Epson Tour, finishing 1st on Ladies European Tour Final Qualifying and embarking on a great run together in her rookie LPGA Tour season with 2 2nd's in Portland & Hawaii as well as making CME Tour finals in 2024! We find out about what is on the agenda next for Jonathan as he looks to fulfil other passions outside of Golf! Thanks for coming on the chat Jonathan, all the best! Remember to download via Podbean,  Spotify & Apple Podcasts it massively helps the show!

In the final day of the final event of 2025 Ladies European Tour schedule which seen the extremely talented Nastasia Nadaud win her maiden title after a terrific season of 7 Top 10's & 15 Top 25 finishes this year for the Chambery ace, It was great to be joined by both Sara Kouskova & Kirsten Rudgeley. Sara joined me to discuss her breakthrough year on tour with 2 wins coming in back to back weeks at Jabra Ladies Open in Evian & Tenerife Women's Open at a difficult Abama Golf which has culminated in the star from Karlovy Vary finishing inside the top 10 on LET Order of Merit and getting the chance next week to gain her LPGA Tour card in Alabama. LPGA Tour Sara admitted that it isn't the be all and end all for her as she loves the LET family but will give it the best go she can. Kirsten joined me for a quick chat after her round where she finished at -12 for the tournament finishing in solo 2nd place this week as we find out about what she thinks of Real Guadalhorce, her plans back home in Australia over the festive period before playing some of the events in Australia to come. Kirsten has become a regular threat at this level and I am sure the win will come shorlty. Thanks Sara & Kirsten for the chat and have fun over the festive season! Download via Podbean, Apple & Spotify. A big thank you to everyone that has participated this week with me on the recordings it means lots, a fantastic week had!

Today was moving day at Andalucia Open de Espana in the 2nd last round of 2025 season and it was great to be catch up with former podcast guest Dorthea Forbrigd after a fabulous round of -6 66 to propel herself just outside of the top 10 in the final event of a consistent season for the talented 2x Norweigan National Golf Champion which before this event sees her 33rd on LET Order of Merit standing with a top 5 finish in South Korea for Aramco Korea Championship & 10 Top 25 finishes.  We find out what went right out there today for her as well as find out about any potentially off season holiday plans and find out what Dorthea loves most about the festive period. Thanks for joining me Dorthea it has been great to watch your progression this season! Great playing! Download via Podbean, Apple & Spotify.

In another brilliant episode today from tournament day 2 of Andalucia Open de Espana I was joined by the 36 hole leader 2023 LET Order of Merit winner Trichat Cheenglab who goes into the weekend with a 7 shot advantage to Fanali in 2nd after a quite sensational round of -8 63 to finish on -15 after 2 rounds which is an unbelievable performance so far while also joining me was podcast guest not too long ago 4x Santander Golf Tour winner Lauren Holmey who came to join in as we find out about their tournament so far and what their thoughts are on the course at Guadalhorce. Trichat Cheenglab also known by Mine won 2023 Order of Merit & was Rookie of the Year in the same season which she won Big Green Egg Open defeating Nicole Broch Estrup & Lydia Hall by a shot at Hilvershumsche in The Netherlands. Trichat would go on to play on LPGA Tour and would struggle with life in the US  admitting that she lost her swing in the process. Last event in Shenzhen for Aramco China Championship would see Cheenglab finish 2nd which would help get her into the season finale in Malaga where she currently leads by 7 after 36 holes.  Lauren Holmey a recent guest of the podcast is 4 time winner this year on Santander Golf Tour in Avila, Girona, La Coruna & Sevilla to finish top in the Order of Merit standings which got her an invite into this weeks event at Guadalhorce. Lauren gives me an honest assessment of her game this week ahead of the crucial final stage Q School in Morocco in her bid to get back onto Ladies European Tour. Thanks very much to Trichat & Lauren for both joining me at the same time. Was great to chat. Download via Podbean, Apple & Spotify!

After a quality day of Golf for Tournament Day 2 of Andalucia Costa Del Sol Open de Espana where 2023 Order of Merit winner Trichat Cheenglab went in as 36 hole leader with a massive 7 shot advantage it was great to be joined by 2 players i've wanted to speak with for a while now in vastly experienced Maha Haddioui & the brilliant Alessandra Fanali who are currently -5 & -8 respectively for the tournament so far. Maha Haddioui has been a consistent player at this level for a long time having made over 200 starts on LET and this year has season a good year having been in contention at Jabra Ladies Open finishing 3rd at Evian as well as making her Evian Championship debut this year and her 3rd major overall as a pro. We find out about her plans for the off season as well as finding out about possible goals for 2026. Alessandra Fanali has been brilliant this year with 3 Top 10's & 9 Top 25's this year in 20 starts which include T2nd at Ford NSW Open at Woollongong, 8th in Tenerife and 8th at La Sella Open. A 3 time runner up on tour including in 2022 at Italian Ladies Open it feels like Ale is going to win her maiden title very shortly. We also do a little quiz about Alessandra with her partner & caddy Giulio Castagnara in a really fun chat!  Thanks Maha & Ale for joining me was great to chat with both of you! Download via Podbean, Apple & Spotify!

Today in my 3rd day as media for the podcast at Andalucia Costa del Sol Open de Espana on 1st day of tournament I was joined by 2023 Helsingborg Open winner Lisa Pettersson & 4x LET title winner Alexandra Forsterling as they came for a brief chat about their day in the Malaga sun as well as give people an insight into how Real Guadalhorce is playing as well as finding out their plans for the festive season. Lisa Pettersson would finish -4 today including a 30ft eagle putt in on 4th hole as she was playing alongside Alessandra Fanali & Kelsey Bennett. Lisa admitted that she has not got a lot to play for bar the win after a solid campaign has her inside the top 30 in the LET Order of Merit standings although still the utmost professional she seems relaxed and definitely looking forward to Christmas time. Today is Alexandra Forsterling's 26th Birthday what better way than to spend it with friends and loved ones in Malaga. Lexi admitted that her pputting got her out of jail at times today although a disappointing finish for the 4x LET champ it's small directions onto the comeback trail after losing a bit of confidence on LPGA Tour last year then dealing with a couple of injuries and not back to her brilliant best yet. It was great to chat with Alex on her birthday as her tour mates got her a nice cake. Happy Birthday Lexi! Thanks Lisa & Alex for coming to chat after play today! Download via Podbean, Apple & Spotify.  

Last week I was joined by French born Dutch star Lauren Holmey before she set off for Malaga for Andalucia Costa Del Sol Open de Espana which was gained on merit for topping the Santander Golf Tour standings winning4 times this season as well as 3 Top 10's & 7 Top 25's on LETAS. Lauren was born in Sevres, France to French & Dutch parents and resides in Paris. Started playing the game of golf at an early age and would win multiple Dutch National titles at all levels as well as play in the Youth Olympics in 2018 for The Netherlands one of Lauren's favourite experiences. At amateur level Lauren has had some great success with participating at 2022 Espirito Santo with Mayka Hoogeboom & Anne Sterre den Dunnen at her hometown course Le Golf National as well as playing in 4x European Girls' Team Championships, 2x European Ladies' Team Championships & a 2019 European Nations Cup winner. In 2022 on LET Access Series at Flumserberg Ladies Open Lauren Holmey would win the event as an amateur at -8 by 1 shot to Patricia Isabel Schmidt a brilliant achievement. In 2022 Lauren would finally turn pro after the win and would have 3 runner up finishes on tour at Hauts de France, Trust Golf Links & Big Green Egg Swedish Matchplay (lost to Schmidt in final) which would gain her card to LET in 2023 where she finished 49th at Lalla Meryem Cup in Morocco in her first ever start but as the season goes on Lauren would openly admit about struggling to come to terms with the relentless nature of tour life but comes with experience. Fast forward to 2025 Lauren would have 3 Top 10 & 7 Top 25 finishes on LET Access Series finishing 15th overall & would win 4x Santander Golf Tour events in Avila, La Coruna, Girona & Sevilla with Vanessa Knecht. With Final Stage LET Q School just around the corner this week at Real Guadalhorce is ideal preparation for the talented 22 year old. Fun fact Lauren studies Japanese after mistakenly changing the subtitles on the televison. Thanks Lauren for being great. Download via Podbean, Spotify & Apple Podcasts.

Last week I was joined by French born Dutch star Lauren Holmey before she set off for Malaga for Andalucia Costa Del Sol Open de Espana which was gained on merit for topping the Santander Golf Tour standings winning4 times this season as well as 3 Top 10's & 7 Top 25's on LETAS. Lauren was born in Sevres, France to French & Dutch parents and resides in Paris. Started playing the game of golf at an early age and would win multiple Dutch National titles at all levels as well as play in the Youth Olympics in 2018 for The Netherlands one of Lauren's favourite experiences. At amateur level Lauren has had some great success with participating at 2022 Espirito Santo with Mayka Hoogeboom & Anne Sterre den Dunnen at her hometown course Le Golf National as well as playing in 4x European Girls' Team Championships, 2x European Ladies' Team Championships & a 2019 European Nations Cup winner. In 2022 on LET Access Series at Flumserberg Ladies Open Lauren Holmey would win the event as an amateur at -8 by 1 shot to Patricia Isabel Schmidt a brilliant achievement. In 2022 Lauren would finally turn pro after the win and would have 3 runner up finishes on tour at Hauts de France, Trust Golf Links & Big Green Egg Swedish Matchplay (lost to Schmidt in final) which would gain her card to LET in 2023 where she finished 49th at Lalla Meryem Cup in Morocco in her first ever start but as the season goes on Lauren would openly admit about struggling to come to terms with the relentless nature of tour life but comes with experience. Fast forward to 2025 Lauren would have 3 Top 10 & 7 Top 25 finishes on LET Access Series finishing 15th overall & would win 4x Santander Golf Tour events in Avila, La Coruna, Girona & Sevilla with Vanessa Knecht. With Final Stage LET Q School just around the corner this week at Real Guadalhorce is ideal preparation for the talented 22 year old. Fun fact Lauren studies Japanese after mistakenly changing the subtitles on the televison. Thanks Lauren for being great. Download via Podbean, Spotify & Apple Podcasts.

Hello from beautiful Malaga for this week's Ladies European Tour season finale at Andalucia Costa del Sol Open de Espana at Real Guadalhorce Club de Golf as the top 64 players in the rankings along with 11 invitees are here to battle it out in sunny Spain. Today it was a pleasure to be joined live in person by teenage sensation and a 2x winner this year in Anna Huang with 2 wins at La Sella Open and Lacoste Ladies Open de France in back to back weeks to break the records at 16 years of age and 2x LET winner Diksha Dagar as we discuss this week in Malaga, 2025 season from both ladies as well as finding out more about 2 fantastic players.  It was brilliant to speak with Diksha as we talked about her recent gold medal at the Deaf Olympics a superb achievement for someone special that navigates through life really well after being fully deaf from a young age. Representative for Indian Team at 2024 Olympic Games in Paris Diksha is truly passionate about representing India at any level. I admire her courage for chatting with us today as I know it can't always be easy.  Find out more about Anna & Diksha as the episode goes on with some good stuff in there. Thank you ladies! Download via Podbean, Spotify & Apple Podcasts.

I was joined by 2x title winner in 2025 Thalia Martin who joined to discuss her good form this year which has seen the talented English player win ABSA Ladies Invitational on Sunshine Ladies Tour & Madaef Golfs Ladies Open on LET Access Series in April while also on the LET she would manage to have a career best 4th placed finish at Hills Open in Sweden. Thalia was born in Banda Aceh in Indonesia before moving to England at an early age and is attached to Peterborough Milton Golf Club. Thalia would start playing the game at 12 years old with her father. At Myerscough College would see success with 2x BUCS Championships (2019 BUCS Northern Tournament & 2020 BUCS Exeter Invitational) and also won the Northamptonshire Ladies County Championship. Thalia would also finish T10th at R&A Women's Amateur Championship.  Turning pro in 2021 Thalia would grind away on LET Access Series starting off great with T5th at Golf Flanders LETAS Trophy & T3rd at Roma Alps LETAS Open as well as an invitation to ISPS Handa World Invitational at Galgorm Castle. In 2022 Thalia would make 16 starts on Ladies European Tour making 10 cuts in the process including 14th at NSW Open in Australia & 22nd at Aramco Series London individually. 2023 would see 7 Top 25 finishes but unfortunately the sad passing of her father had an effect on her year as Thalia bravely opens up about the aftermath of a horrendous event. 2024 would be a struggle on LET but the shining light of that season was a 7th at Lacoste Ladies Open DE France.  2025 has been the making of this talented player winning for the first time in her pro career in an emotional victory in South Africa followed by win on the LETAS at Madaef Golfs Open at -2 defeating Charlotte Heath for the title. Mixing both LET & LETAS starts this year has been a great learning experience which was culminate in a 4th at Hills Open in Sweden. Thalia would finish this season 88th on LET Order of Merit standings missing out on Andalucia Open de Espana by 7 places.  I want to thank Thalia for the courage to speak so openly about some of the struggles I know it wasn't easy! I wish you all the best in your recovery from injury for 2026. Download via Podbean, Apple Podcasts & Spotify.

In this episode I was pleased to be join by another star from Czechia in 2023 Amundi German Masters winner Kristyna Napoleaova as we find out about her 2025 season fresh off a Aramco China Championship team win with Mimi Rhodes, Trichat Cheenglab & Kutilda Pramphun.  Kristyna is from Pelhrimov in Czech Republic but currently resides in Prague. A late starter in the game at the age of 20 after being a very good football player winning 6x U15/U19 Women's League titles with Czech giants Sparta Praha. Injury would halt her football career and would take up Golf and has made strides ever since turning pro in 2020. Kristyna would go to University of St Andrews which she would love her time at the home of golf. In 2022 Kristyna would get an opportunity at Saudi Ladies International which she would grab with open arms finishing T2nd in Saudi a fantastic achievement in a high calibre field. 2023 would see the talented Czech win her maiden LET title at G&CC Seddiner See for German Masters where she would defeat Cara Gainer in a playoff. At the back end of 2023 would see a 4th at La Sella Open and 6th at Mallorca Ladies Open. By her own admission it has been a tough time in spells with swing changes and trying to get back to her 2023 form.  It was great to chat with Kristyna, had a lot of fun with this one! I wish her all the best as she goes to Final Stage LET Q School to retain her card for 2026. Download, like and subscribe via Podbean, Apple Podcasts & Spotify.

In another great episode I was pleased to be joined by 2023 Belgian Ladies Open winner Patricia Isabel Schmidt who joined me live from her hotel room as she took a short vacation in Thailand with fellow LET pro's Cara Gainer, Kajsa Arwefjall, Chiara Tamburlini, Emma Spitz & Annabell Fuller ahead of this week's penultimate event at Aramco Series in China as we found out about her off week in Bangkok, her journey successes on LET & LETAS and more. Patricia is from small town in Southern Germany in Goppingen not far from Stuttgart and although multi competitive in most sports growing up she would get into the game later than the average age. Schmidt would go to Armstrong State University in Savannah, Georgia before finishing her degree back at University of Stuttgart. Patricia had some success as an amateur winning 2017 Hetzenhof Open as well as finishing well at German International & Luxembourg International. Patricia would turn pro in 2021 and would compete on Ladies European Tour Access Series achieving 5 top 10's in her rookie season before having a standout 2022 winning her maiden title at Big Green Egg Swedish Matchplay, 2x Runner Ups at Flumserberg Ladies Open & Trust Golf Links as well as 6th at prestigious Rose Ladies Series which culminated in winning her LET card for 2023. She would make her full LET debut at the picturesque Magical Kenya Open with lots of zebra & giraffe pictures on show. At Aramco Series in Singapore Patricia would finish 20th individually while finishing runner up in the team series with Pauline Roussin Bouchard & Nuria Iturrioz. In the summer of 23' Patricia would win Belgian Ladies Open at Naxhelet GC by 2 shots to Maria Hernandez & Chiara Noja a terrific achievement in a rookie season. In 2024 it would be a solid season with 8 top 25's including a 5th at the season ender Andalucia Costa del Sol Open de Espana at Real Guadalhorce. This year has seen 2 top 10s in the summer with 6th at Tenerife Women's Open the week after a 9th at Jabra Ladies Open while a 12th at KPMG Irish Open & 15th at La Sella Open would follow. Would like to thank Patricia for the opportunity to speak even when on holiday before a crucial last 2 events. Means a lot.  Like, Download & Follow via Podbean, Apple & Spotify.  

In this latest episode I was pleased to be joined by Ladies European Tour pro & 2024 LETAS title winner Natacha Host Husted as we find out about her rookie year on the LET, what she has learned about herself and having Danish players on tour including being close with Smilla Tarning Sonderby & Sofie Kibsgaard, tour life in general, her journey and about the impact of Danish Golf in general over the past decade or so. Natacha is from Copenhagen, Denmark and gained the enthusiasm for the game at a young age competing with her older brothers and like most of the top Dane's plays out of Smorum Golfklubb just outside of the Danish capital. Natacha would have success winning 2019 European Amateur Championship while making numerous appearances for the Danish national team, Natacha would go to University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) and is a 2x WGCA All-American Scholar and would also play a part in Ole Miss' first regional title in their program history. She would represent Denmark in 2x European Amateur Team Championships & 2023 Espirito Santo Trophy in Abu Dhabi alongside Cecilie Leth Nissen & Olivia Gronborg. In 2024 Natacha would turn pro and in only her 5th pro start would win 2024 PGA Championship Goteborg in tricky conditions on LETAS which would help her in her bid to finish 7th on LETAS Order of Merit to gain her LET tour card for 2025. This year has been a learning curve for Natacha but with Final Stage Q School coming up to regain her card I wish her all the best with it. A great episode with a talented player and overall lovely person. thanks Natacha! Listen, Download & Like on all usual platforms.

Joining me on this episode it was a pleasure to be joined by 2020 AIG Women's Open champion Sophia Popov who bares all in this incredible raw and honest story about the highest highs of winning in a remarkable fairytale story at Royal Troon to finding out finally after 3 years she was diagnosed with Lyme Disease.  Sophia was born in Boston, Massachusetts but moved to the Karlsruhe district in Germany at the age of 4 where she would compete in numerous competitions as a German player although has now stayed in Arizona for a number of years. Sophia would have success in her earlier years representing Team Europe at 2009 Junior Solheim Cup which included Leona Maguire & Klara Spilkova, she also won the 2010 International European Ladies Amateur Championship. Sophia would go to University of South California representing USC Trojans and would play a part of 2x Espirito Santo Trophy's & 3x European Ladies' Amateur Team Championships for Germany and won 2x Vagliano Trophy's for Team Europe as well as winning numerous collegiate titles. In 2014 Sophia would turn pro at her home event on LET at German Masters and would win both a LET card & LPGA card for 2015 before disaster struck the early signs of fatigue, multiple pains and lack of appetite left Sophia feeling pretty frail and it would take 3 years to have a diagnosis of deadly Lyme Disease and now raises much needed awareness on Lyme Disease as an advocate. In 2020 while on Symetra Tour just before the height of Covid 19 Pandemic it would come at a great time for Popov as it meant being still able to practice fully in her state of Arizona where Cactus Tour mini tour events were still taking place for player which included some top LPGA pros from Arizona area including 3x major champion Anna Nordqvist & Carlota Ciganda playing a couple. This gave Sophia a platform to stay competitive and it would pay off winning 3x Cactus Tour events before Tour Golf made a comeback and would finish well at Marathon Classic which would get Sophia into 2020 AIG Women's Open at Royal Troon, the rest as they say is history as Sophia Popov would overcome all the odds to complete a truly remarkable feat coming from unknown pro to Major Champion defeating Jasmine Suwannapura by 2 shots to etch her name in the history books forever, truly one of the most unbelievable tales.  This year back playing on Epson Tour in Arizona would see Popov win Carlisle Arizona Women's Classic just a little over a year after giving birth to her little girl Maya and what makes the story even better is Sophia won the event on Mother's Day of all days to win in front of her daughter.   Please be sure to share this fantastic episode around as we try to tell the full story of Sophia Popov. Listen/Download on all the usual platforms and let's spread the word, one of the best episodes i've done on here!

In this latest episode of Chasing Pars I was joined by one of this year's LPGA Tour rookies Jessica Porvasnik as we find out about her experiences on tour this year what she has learned and what's the best part about tour life. Jessica on her last start in Hawaii at Lotte Championship Jessica finished 4th for her best finish on tour, Jessica is currently 107th in the Race to CME Globe in a crucial part of the season with Top 100 players retaining their LPGA Tour privileges. Jessica is from Hinckley in Ohio but currently resides in Jacksonville, Florida for the all better golf weather. She attended Ohio State University where she gained honours such as 2014 Big Ten Individual Champion & Player of the Year, 4x Ohio State University Scholar Athlete, Big Ten Medal of Honor Finalist & played in 2014 US Women's Open as an am at Pinehurst.  Jessica would turn pro in 2017 and would win 5 events including the 2017 & 2018 Ohio Women's Opens, 2020 NWGA LPGA International Champion, 2021 NWGA The Legends at Parris Island Championship & 2021 PXG Women's Strokeplay & Matchplay Championship. In 2022 Jessica would play full season on Epson Tour finishing 6th at Casino Del Sol Golf Classic & 25th at Murphy El Dorado Shootout. In 2023 would see her gain 9 Top 25 finishes including 6th at Tuscaloosa Toyota Classic, 9th at Guardian Championship & 9th at Murphy El Dorado Shootout. In 2024 things would turn for the better as she would be in contention loads resulting in two 2nd's, a 3rd, a 4th & an 8th resulting in Jessica finishing 4th on Epson Tour Order of Merit gaining her LPGA Tour card for 2025. Want to thank Jessica Porvasnik for being a great guest. Download via Podbean, Apple Podcasts & Spotify. Enjoy!

Fresh off a major career decision I was joined by recently retired Ladies European Tour pro and 2024 Fidelity ADT Ladies Challenge champion Helen Tamy Kreuzer in what was a great chat as we dive straight into Helen's decision to end her professional golf career after 4 years as a pro which includes over 65+ starts on Ladies European Tour & Ladies European Tour Access Series amassing 11 Top 25 finishes between both tours including a career high T11th finish on LET at KPMG Women's Irish Open in 2022 & 3rd as a team at Aramco Team Series in Jeddah with Virginia Elena Carta & Lina Boqvist.  Helen is from Bensheim, Germany around about half an hour away from the city of Frankfurt where she has a great attachment to Frankfurt Golf Club. Helen would go to Lynn University in Boca Raton, Florida & would win prestigious titles such as 2019 NCAA Div 2 South Regionals, 2021 South State Conference Championship & 2021 NCAA Div 2 Championship as well as representing Germany at for 2x European Ladies' Amateur Team Championship in 2020 at Uppsala in Sweden & 2021 at Royal County Down in Northern Ireland teaming with the likes of Alexandra Forsterling, Aline Krauter, Polly Mack & Sophie Witt.  Helen would turn pro in 2021 & would gain her LET tour card for 2022 where she would start her LET journey in a the picturesque Magical Kenya Open while coming across wildlife such as Zebras & Giraffes. 2022 was a successful rookie year which includes results such as 35th at Joburg Ladies Open, 34th at SA Open, 27th at Madrid Open, 20th at Jabra Ladies Open, 31st at Italian Open, 15th at Big Green Egg Open, 11th at KPMG Women's Irish Open, 24th at Hero Indian Open & 28th individual at Aramco Series in Jeddah. Some other highlights on LETAS would be 2nd at PGA Championship Goteborg in 2024,  Helen has a distinct passion for College Golf and openly acknowledges her roots & is looking at taking exams for future coaching privileges. It was great to speak with Helen to reflect on a big career change, I wish her all the best going forward. This podcast is in collaboration with Bunker Brigade Golf Apparel be sure to check out the latest designs and sales on Bunker Brigade website.   Be sure to listen & download via Podbean, Apple Podcasts & Spotify.