Beatriz: taking on the world in 2010

One of the Ladies European Tour’s fastest rising stars, Spain’s Beatriz Recari, enjoyed her breakthrough season in 2009 when she picked up her first LET title at the Finnair Masters in Helsinki. She holed a four-iron shot from 161 metres in a play-off, denying experienced professional Iben Tinning and posting the first eagle all week on the tough 347 metre par-four 18th at Helsinki Golf Club. Having started the year ranked 59th in Europe, she finished in 22nd position on the LET’s Henderson Money List.

We caught up with her as she prepared for the 2010 season at her US home in Miami, Florida.

1. Tell us what you have been doing since Dubai.
I enjoyed my time with my family and friends, I was playing tennis. I just started practising in early January and since then since it was such awful weather. I gave it a boost physically. I’m working really hard; practising as well but right now it’s 80 percent physical work and 20 percent golf.

2. What are you doing to prepare for 2010?
The season is going to be very long; I will start the season in late March. I am just practising and hitting the gym. I spent a couple of days here in Miami and then I was in Spain until the middle of January. I’m not a very big girl and I would like to gain some yardage so I spoke to my coaches and they said I had to improve my strength. I have a strength programme at the moment and the next day feels sore so I’m not worrying so much about it. I’m still practising every day. It’s just I feel very sore when I wake up. I’m lifting weights, doing lunges, stability work, fitness, conditioning, cardio, sprinting. I have a personal trainer and he wants me to become a really good athlete so I’m working hard. He is from London in the UK, his name is Steve Bond and he’s working with Becky Brewerton as well. I’m working with Becky’s golf coach also, Stewart Craig.

3. When did you stop working with Ian Triggs?
Last year I was in Europe and Ian is very busy so I barely saw him throughout the year. I started doing a bit of work with Stewart in Europe and I started understanding what was happening with my swing. He had a ProStance and I gained 10 yards with a ProStance and I saw him twice before Q School but it was really intense and I improved in a short space of time so I thought, this is much more convenient. I’ve noticed a huge improvement and I will definitely go for it. Since then I’ve been really happy and I’m thrilled about what will happen in the future. Stewart, with Paul Harrison, developed the Pro stance and I’ve been using it every day in my practise and I’ve noticed an improvement in my swing, it’s shorter, more compact and more stable. It’s a great tool. You just step on it and swing it. You don’t need anyone telling you. It gives you a good feeling and understanding. I want to have good pre-season training and give myself some good weeks’ practise and some good general conditioning ahead of the long season.

4. What changed last year that led to you winning your first tournament in Finland?
I have been playing on tour for three years and there were a lot of big changes and lots of learning. It was a period of maturing in general. I realised the importance of consistency and how important it is to improve my stats. It got to a point that I had the feeling that I was ready. I’m really, really happy with how my performance was but I knew I could do better. I finished higher than when I started and like everything fell together, you have technique, mental game, and physical game and all of a sudden you win. It gives you so much confidence that you are ready for the next step. I was feeling confident at LPGA Q School and I got through. There’s still a long way to go but I’m excited about it.

5. What did you consider your greatest strength on the golf course?
My strength is definitely my putting. I’ve always been a good putter. I started seeing good people, good coaches. I have always been a good putter and improving little bits. You become more consistent. It’s a mental game as well out there.

6. Where are you planning to base yourself in America next season?
So far in Miami because I have a few friends and I just qualified. I’m really, really happy; I love the city. It’s very Latin American. I don’t speak a word of English, which annoys Andreas a lot! I’m really happy and training at a golf course and they treat me very nicely and welcome you. Every single person I’ve come across has been very nice, the weather is better than Orlando so I can’t ask for more. I have a nice golf course where I can practise, La Gorce, where the people are very nice. My parents bought an apartment out here a couple years ago, thinking that I would be here soon, so I have to thank them for their support.

7. What are you most looking forward to in 2010?
I’m really looking forward to playing the LPGA and being able to win tournaments. I’m really confident about my game and think I can do well on this tour, possibly win tournaments. I’m going to see different places and different players. I’m really excited about it and also looking forward to playing the British Open and Ireland and Dubai, those great tournaments in Europe. I will try to play as many tournaments as I can; it depends on this tour and the re-ranking. With my category I am going to be into 15 tournaments out of 25 and there are a couple of re-ranks throughout the season. Those limited tournaments, through a re-ranking you can get in if you play well.

8. Is your boyfriend, Andreas Thorpe still caddying for you?
Yes, he is.

9. Which tournament would you most like to win?
If I can win the US Open I have a couple of bets and a couple of people will have to do a couple of things. It’s a magnificent tournament so I would love to win that one. A win is a win and it’s always a success so that is my goal.

Along with a number of other LET players, Beatriz has the chance to be selected to play in The Mojo 6 Tournament in Jamaica, from 15-16 April. She asked for all her fans to log on to Themojo6.com to vote for her, any time up to 14th March 2010.