Jana Melichova

Clinched her second Ladies European Tour victory in dramatic fashion at the Dutch Ladies Open in July.

She came from six shots behind leader Kim Métraux ahead of the final round to win by a stroke, dedicating the victory to her mother, who passed away in 2022, and would have celebrated her 60th birthday on the first day of the tournament.

Still an amateur when she won the Tipsport Czech Open on the LET in June 2022 and took the decision straight afterwards to turn professional and take up membership of the circuit.

Rounds of 68, 65 and 69 at the Royal Beroun club west of Prague gave the 24-year-old a one-stroke victory over Klara Spilkova and Nicole Broch.

That final round included six birdies, each of them rewarded with strawberries brought to the course by her father. “It’s a dream come true,” said the former American college student. “I always planned to play LET and I always wanted to win a title –and I succeeded.”

Her pro debut came four days later at the Amundi German Masters, where she stated: “I’m playing with the players I wanted to be playing with my whole life and to prepare for next season, which will be crucial.”