Date: September 30, 2012
Author: Stacey Keating / Golf Australia

Stacey Keating blog: the craziest fortnight

Well I thought this was going to be the toughest blog to write for me- but now it is with the greatest pleasure I tell my story of the craziest and most emotional two weeks of my life. Where do I start really? British Open. As a European Tour player this is really the only major that we have the opportunity to play in and qualify for from our money list. So it&aposs something I&aposm always working hard towards. My form felt great heading into the event. The course was playing tough and we had been given some pretty rough conditions to deal with. I played some of the most solid golf I had in quite some time, and by the far my best in a Major. Shooting 71 on Day 1 saw me only 1 shot behind the leaders. On the second day I shot 76 and was still placed around 30th. Then came the words you never want to hear after you leave the scorer&aposs tent: Stacey, we need a word. I had signed for an incorrect score card and was disqualified. I was distraught to say the least but that was it, you won t be required to play tomorrow. I was so lucky to have close friends around me who were a tremendous help and somehow picked myself up to get to Tenerife. I honestly didn t no how I would go after the DQ- but I just kept telling myself I was in some of the best form I have been in. So off I went to a steady start with scores of -2 and -3. I know it sounds silly but actually felt a slight relief to have made the cut as I was still quite down but the fun was just about to begin! Another -2 under round on Saturday put me into the final group and only 1 behind the lead. I felt great teeing off on Sunday with the usual nerves but good nerves! I had a great tussle with Caroline Masson all day and there was never more than one shot in it all day. I fell to one behind with two to play, but still felt like I was right in it. After a bogey from Masson on 17 we were tied going down 18, and as I felt it should of, we ended up going to a play off! On the 18th again I played it as I would have hoped, laying up to a good yardage, and hit it to seven feet for birdie. Masson played her fourth shot inside mine, so I had the putt for the win – and the rest is history, I am the Spanish Open Champion!! I couldn’t be happier, and I feel on top of the world! I would like to thank everyone who has helped me reach this goal of my first tournament win. My boyfriend (who acts as my caddy) who has been a tremendous support throughout this week especially, my coach Steven Giuliano, fitness trainer Scott Williams, mental coach Jamie Glazier, all my friends and family who have supported me over the years, but especially the past 10 days throughout the British disaster and made me believe this was possible. To my main sponsors Golf Australia, and Callaway, thank you, I couldn’t be doing this without your support. Thanks for all the texts, emails and phone call over the past week, its been very overwhelming! Stacey Keating is a former National Squad member, Ladies European Tour winner and current member of Golf Australia&aposs Rookie Professional Program. This blog can also be found at his website www.staceykeating.com.au Follow her on Twitter @staceykeats