Caroline Afonso a fast-learning LET star
Few players in women’s golf make big headlines each season, but emergence of hard working contenders does not seem to stop.
French Caroline Afonso is one of the rising LET (Ladies European Tour) members that have emerged as fast-learning contenders, and her performance in the 2012 season speaks of her hidden talent.
Although the French star was winless throughout the season, recording three top-ten finishes has put her in the spotlight. Moreover, the 2011 season went even better, seeing Afonso record
several solid finishes.
Afonso recorded four top-ten finishes in the 2011 season. Recording top-ten finishes in some of the events does not make for a solid profile, but the star golfer has certainly been lacking
what can breathe new life into her pro career.
Rigorous training on the practice range has the answer to all her on-course woes, but the French star found it a bit difficult to fix some persistent flaws in her putting and swing in the
season.
Afonso started her 2012 campaign in a jittery style as she finished 61st at the Lalla Meryem Cup. She posted an overall score of 294, which included a sizzling 69 in the first round.
The Unicredit Ladies German Open was the scene of an intense battle that witnessed the LET titan shoot a 280 to finish tied for the seventh position on the leaderboard. The tournament featured
big names, but Afonso held her nerve till the final moment.
She then participated in the Deloitte Ladies Open, which also saw her in best shape. Afonso carded a 214 to take the share of sixth position on the leaderboard.
The Hero Women’s Indian Open—the second last tournament of the 2012 season—saw her come from behind as she boosted her position in the third and final round. She posted an overall score of
215 to take the share of 8th position on the leaderboard.
Despite having struggled in some of the key tournaments, Afonso missed the cut in just one tournament. It was Tenerife Open 2012 that witnessed her crash out of the lineup after shooting a
72 and 76 in the first and second round respectively.
Afonso lagged far behind stars like Spanish Carlota Ciganda and German Caroline Masson. Observers said that she needs to reshape her game if she wants to be the likes of the top finishers.
Ciganda won both the ISPS Handa Order of Merit and the Rookie of the Year title. Speaking to the media in her interview, Ciganda said that she has learned a lot on the LET in the recent past
and is ready to take the heat to the next level: becoming number one in world rankings.
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