Progress

Law and order the aim for 2023

Bronte Law is keen to build on the momentum following a stellar year ahead of landmark event and Solheim Cup

By Matt Smith

Bronte law may only be 27 years old, but following a sensational 2022, the Englishwoman is going through a secLaw went one better and produced a moment of pure magic, sinking a monster 55ft putt for an eagle three that drew a huge roar from the galleries and ond coming of sorts. secured the crown.

Following her successful graduation She signed off a stellar 2022 with a to the LPGA Tour in 2017, her initial T5 at the Aramco Team Series at Royal breakthrough came early in 2019. She Greens in Saudi Arabia, three strokes narrowly lost out to Kim Sei-young in a behind eventual champion Chiara playoff for the LPGA Mediheal Champi- Noja, and Law is now looking to kick on onship in California in May, but she did with a fast start to the new season. not let that near miss get her down as “I have been playing really nice lately, she claimed her first professional title with another top five in Jeddah,” Law at the Pure Silk Championship at Kin- told Golf Digest Middle East. “I could smill Resort in Williamsburg, Virginia, have done with a few more putts dropthree weeks later and then starred in ping now and again, and maybe I would Europe’s Solheim Cup victory over the have a few more trophies. But I have United States at Gleneagles. been playing really solid.

However, that second individual title “I played the Aramco Team Series in refused to arrive anytime soon after the Jeddah. It was great to be back — my first, and following a series of cuts and third time at Royal Greens — and I am mid-table results through- trying to get as much info out the remainder of 2019 on the course ahead of and all of 2020, she was BRONTE LAW next February.” not sure where the next AGE 27 Law is referring to the victory would come from. LIVES SCOTTSDALE, AZ Saudi Ladies Interna-

Law’s patience and per- tional, to be held at Royal sistence paid off as she fi- Greens in February, where nally made it back to the winner’s circle the female players will compete for a in October 2021 in the Dubai Moonlight whopping $5 million — the first time in Classic at Emirates Golf Club, posting golf history that the prize for elite men’s a 15-under total to deny Italy’s Maria and women’s events will be the same. Fassi by one and pick up her maiden La- “Obviously, the talk is all about the dies European Tour title on the floodlit Saudi International getting a prize Faldo Course in the UAE. money rise from $1 million to $5 million

This time around the performances and I can’t wait to compete back here have stuck, and a T6 in the 2022 US for that Ladies European Tour competiWomen’s Open at Pine Needles in Cali- tion,” Law said. fornia in June was swiftly followed by “It is going to be like a major now as title No. 3 at the Aramco Team Series Golf Saudi and Aramco are putting up — London, defeating her compatriot some incredible money, and we are Georgia Hall by a stroke at Centurion very grateful for that. Club in a now-famous finish. “It just shows you what they are try-

Needing a birdie at the closing par- ing to do and create an equal opportufive to match Hall and force a play-off, nity for women. There is still work to do but we are all heading in the right direction. I gave a couple of clinics in Jeddah and you could really see the uptake in interest from children and women.”

Other events across the LPGA and LET are expected to announce increased purses for 2023, and Law is glad the hard work is paying off, literally.

“Looking ahead to 2023, I can’t wait to start and that Saudi purse will definitely make things interesting,” she said. “The girls will work harder when you elevate the game. These girls, not just me, will all be putting in the hours during the off-season in order to prepare for one of the first events of the year and I am pretty sure you will be seeing a lot of good golf that week because of that.

“I certainly will be looking to come out of the blocks in 2023 pretty quick, especially as it is a Solheim Cup year and I am keen to get points to make Suzann’s [Pettersen] team.

“There will be the normal preparations ahead of the new season and I am hoping to kick-start that early this time around.”

After such a long time between titles from 2019 and 2021, Law knows better than most the pressures of golf and how lonely it can be.

“It was one of the hardest things ever [to get back], and at times I didn’t know whether I could do it,” she admitted after her Dubai win. “It’s hard when things aren’t going your way and you feel like the world is against you, but I’ve got a lot of people that have stuck by me, and I owe them a lot.

“It’s the hardest thing in the world and I don’t think people understand how hard it is to be an athlete and the scrutiny that you’re under. You question yourself at times and it’s so hard to pull yourself back through that, but I’ve trusted the process and obviously it’s working.”

While Law is modest and coy most of the time, any mention of that putt at Centurion always brings a little smile to her face.

“The shot to win the Aramco Team Series in London ... I get asked about it all the time, but I am happy to talk about it as it is a great memory,” she said, trying to hide that familiar smirk.

Hopefully 2023 will give Bronte many more fond memories.

I hope to come out of the blocks pretty quick, especially as it is a Solheim Cup year and I am keen to get on the team