I had a busy off-season which still involved lots of travel.
We spent two weeks in Australia after my Australian Open win and had so much fun. We took a trip up the north coast of New South Wales, about two hours from Sydney, where we spent the week with family and good friends of ours we used to play with on Tour.
After that, we headed back to Sydney to spend a little more time there so we could catch up with friends we hadn’t seen while I was playing the Australian Open.
I know us South Africans and Aussies have a huge rivalry and we are always giving each other grief but I actually think it’s because we are so alike. We love the same sports, good outdoor weather, braai/BBQ and we really love a good get-together with family/friends.
I think this is why I love going to play Down Under. There is a similarity to home and comfort there that I don’t feel anywhere else I play, other than South Africa.
After Australia it was finally time to get back to SA to put the clubs away for a month and enjoy the festive season with friends and family. We spent most of our time in Joburg but took a trip up to the Kruger Park for six days where we had some friends who play and caddie on the LPGA Tour join us as well as some friends from SA.
There really is nothing like the African bush to rejuvenate your energy. The early, quiet morning game drives to the cracking of a fire at night, while you sit under the stars makes it a special place. Although I had put the clubs away we managed to get a game in at Leopard Creek which is always a treat.
With the 2024 season starting up I’ve already been asked what my goals are for the year.
My main goal is to take care of my wellbeing and happiness. This means playing the schedule that I want to play for the first time in my career as I finally have the luxury of picking and choosing tournaments thanks to my five-year exemption.
This means that I may skip one or two tournaments here and there, but my goal is to rather be fresh and ready to compete every week I play – on the courses I like – rather than just arriving there to play because I have to.
I’ve never done this before and it took a lot of courage for me to set this new schedule, but we are going to give it a try and see how it goes.
I was starting off on the LET in Saudi Arabia. After that I will have a month off in the US, where I will enjoy being in my own home for more than a week, work with my trainer and get in some good ground practice. Because, once the LPGA Tour season starts in the US in late March it will be extremely busy.
– This column first appeared in the March 2024 issue of Compleat Golfer magazine.
Photo: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images
