Chasing Pars Golf Podcast

(Ep 188) Andalucia Open de Espana Day 1 with Anna Huang & Diksha Dagar

Hello from beautiful Malaga for this week's Ladies European Tour season finale at Andalucia Costa del Sol Open de Espana at Real Guadalhorce Club de Golf as the top 64 players in the rankings along with 11 invitees are here to battle it out in sunny Spain.
Today it was a pleasure to be joined live in person by teenage sensation and a 2x winner this year in Anna Huang with 2 wins at La Sella Open and Lacoste Ladies Open de France in back to back weeks to break the records at 16 years of age and 2x LET winner Diksha Dagar as we discuss this week in Malaga, 2025 season from both ladies as well as finding out more about 2 fantastic players. 
It was brilliant to speak with Diksha as we talked about her recent gold medal at the Deaf Olympics a superb achievement for someone special that navigates through life really well after being fully deaf from a young age. Representative for Indian Team at 2024 Olympic Games in Paris Diksha is truly passionate about representing India at any level. I admire her courage for chatting with us today as I know it can't always be easy. 
Find out more about Anna & Diksha as the episode goes on with some good stuff in there. Thank you ladies!
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(Ep 187) Thalia Martin

I was joined by 2x title winner in 2025 Thalia Martin who joined to discuss her good form this year which has seen the talented English player win ABSA Ladies Invitational on Sunshine Ladies Tour & Madaef Golfs Ladies Open on LET Access Series in April while also on the LET she would manage to have a career best 4th placed finish at Hills Open in Sweden.
Thalia was born in Banda Aceh in Indonesia before moving to England at an early age and is attached to Peterborough Milton Golf Club. Thalia would start playing the game at 12 years old with her father. At Myerscough College would see success with 2x BUCS Championships (2019 BUCS Northern Tournament & 2020 BUCS Exeter Invitational) and also won the Northamptonshire Ladies County Championship. Thalia would also finish T10th at R&A Women's Amateur Championship. 
Turning pro in 2021 Thalia would grind away on LET Access Series starting off great with T5th at Golf Flanders LETAS Trophy & T3rd at Roma Alps LETAS Open as well as an invitation to ISPS Handa World Invitational at Galgorm Castle. In 2022 Thalia would make 16 starts on Ladies European Tour making 10 cuts in the process including 14th at NSW Open in Australia & 22nd at Aramco Series London individually. 2023 would see 7 Top 25 finishes but unfortunately the sad passing of her father had an effect on her year as Thalia bravely opens up about the aftermath of a horrendous event. 2024 would be a struggle on LET but the shining light of that season was a 7th at Lacoste Ladies Open DE France. 
2025 has been the making of this talented player winning for the first time in her pro career in an emotional victory in South Africa followed by win on the LETAS at Madaef Golfs Open at -2 defeating Charlotte Heath for the title. Mixing both LET & LETAS starts this year has been a great learning experience which was culminate in a 4th at Hills Open in Sweden. Thalia would finish this season 88th on LET Order of Merit standings missing out on Andalucia Open de Espana by 7 places. 
I want to thank Thalia for the courage to speak so openly about some of the struggles I know it wasn't easy! I wish you all the best in your recovery from injury for 2026.
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(Ep 186) Kristyna Napoleaova

In this episode I was pleased to be join by another star from Czechia in 2023 Amundi German Masters winner Kristyna Napoleaova as we find out about her 2025 season fresh off a Aramco China Championship team win with Mimi Rhodes, Trichat Cheenglab & Kutilda Pramphun. 
Kristyna is from Pelhrimov in Czech Republic but currently resides in Prague. A late starter in the game at the age of 20 after being a very good football player winning 6x U15/U19 Women's League titles with Czech giants Sparta Praha. Injury would halt her football career and would take up Golf and has made strides ever since turning pro in 2020. Kristyna would go to University of St Andrews which she would love her time at the home of golf.
In 2022 Kristyna would get an opportunity at Saudi Ladies International which she would grab with open arms finishing T2nd in Saudi a fantastic achievement in a high calibre field. 2023 would see the talented Czech win her maiden LET title at G&CC Seddiner See for German Masters where she would defeat Cara Gainer in a playoff. At the back end of 2023 would see a 4th at La Sella Open and 6th at Mallorca Ladies Open. By her own admission it has been a tough time in spells with swing changes and trying to get back to her 2023 form. 
It was great to chat with Kristyna, had a lot of fun with this one! I wish her all the best as she goes to Final Stage LET Q School to retain her card for 2026.
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(Ep 185) Patricia Isabel Schmidt

In another great episode I was pleased to be joined by 2023 Belgian Ladies Open winner Patricia Isabel Schmidt who joined me live from her hotel room as she took a short vacation in Thailand with fellow LET pro's Cara Gainer, Kajsa Arwefjall, Chiara Tamburlini, Emma Spitz & Annabell Fuller ahead of this week's penultimate event at Aramco Series in China as we found out about her off week in Bangkok, her journey successes on LET & LETAS and more.
Patricia is from small town in Southern Germany in Goppingen not far from Stuttgart and although multi competitive in most sports growing up she would get into the game later than the average age. Schmidt would go to Armstrong State University in Savannah, Georgia before finishing her degree back at University of Stuttgart. Patricia had some success as an amateur winning 2017 Hetzenhof Open as well as finishing well at German International & Luxembourg International.
Patricia would turn pro in 2021 and would compete on Ladies European Tour Access Series achieving 5 top 10's in her rookie season before having a standout 2022 winning her maiden title at Big Green Egg Swedish Matchplay, 2x Runner Ups at Flumserberg Ladies Open & Trust Golf Links as well as 6th at prestigious Rose Ladies Series which culminated in winning her LET card for 2023.
She would make her full LET debut at the picturesque Magical Kenya Open with lots of zebra & giraffe pictures on show. At Aramco Series in Singapore Patricia would finish 20th individually while finishing runner up in the team series with Pauline Roussin Bouchard & Nuria Iturrioz. In the summer of 23' Patricia would win Belgian Ladies Open at Naxhelet GC by 2 shots to Maria Hernandez & Chiara Noja a terrific achievement in a rookie season. In 2024 it would be a solid season with 8 top 25's including a 5th at the season ender Andalucia Costa del Sol Open de Espana at Real Guadalhorce. This year has seen 2 top 10s in the summer with 6th at Tenerife Women's Open the week after a 9th at Jabra Ladies Open while a 12th at KPMG Irish Open & 15th at La Sella Open would follow.
Would like to thank Patricia for the opportunity to speak even when on holiday before a crucial last 2 events. Means a lot.  Like, Download & Follow via Podbean, Apple & Spotify.
 

(Ep 184) Natacha Host Husted

In this latest episode I was pleased to be joined by Ladies European Tour pro & 2024 LETAS title winner Natacha Host Husted as we find out about her rookie year on the LET, what she has learned about herself and having Danish players on tour including being close with Smilla Tarning Sonderby & Sofie Kibsgaard, tour life in general, her journey and about the impact of Danish Golf in general over the past decade or so.
Natacha is from Copenhagen, Denmark and gained the enthusiasm for the game at a young age competing with her older brothers and like most of the top Dane's plays out of Smorum Golfklubb just outside of the Danish capital. Natacha would have success winning 2019 European Amateur Championship while making numerous appearances for the Danish national team,
Natacha would go to University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) and is a 2x WGCA All-American Scholar and would also play a part in Ole Miss' first regional title in their program history. She would represent Denmark in 2x European Amateur Team Championships & 2023 Espirito Santo Trophy in Abu Dhabi alongside Cecilie Leth Nissen & Olivia Gronborg.
In 2024 Natacha would turn pro and in only her 5th pro start would win 2024 PGA Championship Goteborg in tricky conditions on LETAS which would help her in her bid to finish 7th on LETAS Order of Merit to gain her LET tour card for 2025. This year has been a learning curve for Natacha but with Final Stage Q School coming up to regain her card I wish her all the best with it.
A great episode with a talented player and overall lovely person. thanks Natacha!
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(Ep 183) Sophia Popov (2020 AIG Women's Open Champion)

Joining me on this episode it was a pleasure to be joined by 2020 AIG Women's Open champion Sophia Popov who bares all in this incredible raw and honest story about the highest highs of winning in a remarkable fairytale story at Royal Troon to finding out finally after 3 years she was diagnosed with Lyme Disease. 
Sophia was born in Boston, Massachusetts but moved to the Karlsruhe district in Germany at the age of 4 where she would compete in numerous competitions as a German player although has now stayed in Arizona for a number of years. Sophia would have success in her earlier years representing Team Europe at 2009 Junior Solheim Cup which included Leona Maguire & Klara Spilkova, she also won the 2010 International European Ladies Amateur Championship.
Sophia would go to University of South California representing USC Trojans and would play a part of 2x Espirito Santo Trophy's & 3x European Ladies' Amateur Team Championships for Germany and won 2x Vagliano Trophy's for Team Europe as well as winning numerous collegiate titles. In 2014 Sophia would turn pro at her home event on LET at German Masters and would win both a LET card & LPGA card for 2015 before disaster struck the early signs of fatigue, multiple pains and lack of appetite left Sophia feeling pretty frail and it would take 3 years to have a diagnosis of deadly Lyme Disease and now raises much needed awareness on Lyme Disease as an advocate.
In 2020 while on Symetra Tour just before the height of Covid 19 Pandemic it would come at a great time for Popov as it meant being still able to practice fully in her state of Arizona where Cactus Tour mini tour events were still taking place for player which included some top LPGA pros from Arizona area including 3x major champion Anna Nordqvist & Carlota Ciganda playing a couple. This gave Sophia a platform to stay competitive and it would pay off winning 3x Cactus Tour events before Tour Golf made a comeback and would finish well at Marathon Classic which would get Sophia into 2020 AIG Women's Open at Royal Troon, the rest as they say is history as Sophia Popov would overcome all the odds to complete a truly remarkable feat coming from unknown pro to Major Champion defeating Jasmine Suwannapura by 2 shots to etch her name in the history books forever, truly one of the most unbelievable tales. 
This year back playing on Epson Tour in Arizona would see Popov win Carlisle Arizona Women's Classic just a little over a year after giving birth to her little girl Maya and what makes the story even better is Sophia won the event on Mother's Day of all days to win in front of her daughter.
 
Please be sure to share this fantastic episode around as we try to tell the full story of Sophia Popov. Listen/Download on all the usual platforms and let's spread the word, one of the best episodes i've done on here!

(Ep 182) Jessica Porvasnik

In this latest episode of Chasing Pars I was joined by one of this year's LPGA Tour rookies Jessica Porvasnik as we find out about her experiences on tour this year what she has learned and what's the best part about tour life. Jessica on her last start in Hawaii at Lotte Championship Jessica finished 4th for her best finish on tour, Jessica is currently 107th in the Race to CME Globe in a crucial part of the season with Top 100 players retaining their LPGA Tour privileges.
Jessica is from Hinckley in Ohio but currently resides in Jacksonville, Florida for the all better golf weather. She attended Ohio State University where she gained honours such as 2014 Big Ten Individual Champion & Player of the Year, 4x Ohio State University Scholar Athlete, Big Ten Medal of Honor Finalist & played in 2014 US Women's Open as an am at Pinehurst. 
Jessica would turn pro in 2017 and would win 5 events including the 2017 & 2018 Ohio Women's Opens, 2020 NWGA LPGA International Champion, 2021 NWGA The Legends at Parris Island Championship & 2021 PXG Women's Strokeplay & Matchplay Championship. In 2022 Jessica would play full season on Epson Tour finishing 6th at Casino Del Sol Golf Classic & 25th at Murphy El Dorado Shootout. In 2023 would see her gain 9 Top 25 finishes including 6th at Tuscaloosa Toyota Classic, 9th at Guardian Championship & 9th at Murphy El Dorado Shootout. In 2024 things would turn for the better as she would be in contention loads resulting in two 2nd's, a 3rd, a 4th & an 8th resulting in Jessica finishing 4th on Epson Tour Order of Merit gaining her LPGA Tour card for 2025.
Want to thank Jessica Porvasnik for being a great guest. Download via Podbean, Apple Podcasts & Spotify. Enjoy!

(Ep 181) Helen Tamy Kreuzer

Fresh off a major career decision I was joined by recently retired Ladies European Tour pro and 2024 Fidelity ADT Ladies Challenge champion Helen Tamy Kreuzer in what was a great chat as we dive straight into Helen's decision to end her professional golf career after 4 years as a pro which includes over 65+ starts on Ladies European Tour & Ladies European Tour Access Series amassing 11 Top 25 finishes between both tours including a career high T11th finish on LET at KPMG Women's Irish Open in 2022 & 3rd as a team at Aramco Team Series in Jeddah with Virginia Elena Carta & Lina Boqvist. 
Helen is from Bensheim, Germany around about half an hour away from the city of Frankfurt where she has a great attachment to Frankfurt Golf Club. Helen would go to Lynn University in Boca Raton, Florida & would win prestigious titles such as 2019 NCAA Div 2 South Regionals, 2021 South State Conference Championship & 2021 NCAA Div 2 Championship as well as representing Germany at for 2x European Ladies' Amateur Team Championship in 2020 at Uppsala in Sweden & 2021 at Royal County Down in Northern Ireland teaming with the likes of Alexandra Forsterling, Aline Krauter, Polly Mack & Sophie Witt. 
Helen would turn pro in 2021 & would gain her LET tour card for 2022 where she would start her LET journey in a the picturesque Magical Kenya Open while coming across wildlife such as Zebras & Giraffes. 2022 was a successful rookie year which includes results such as 35th at Joburg Ladies Open, 34th at SA Open, 27th at Madrid Open, 20th at Jabra Ladies Open, 31st at Italian Open, 15th at Big Green Egg Open, 11th at KPMG Women's Irish Open, 24th at Hero Indian Open & 28th individual at Aramco Series in Jeddah. Some other highlights on LETAS would be 2nd at PGA Championship Goteborg in 2024, 
Helen has a distinct passion for College Golf and openly acknowledges her roots & is looking at taking exams for future coaching privileges.
It was great to speak with Helen to reflect on a big career change, I wish her all the best going forward.
This podcast is in collaboration with Bunker Brigade Golf Apparel be sure to check out the latest designs and sales on Bunker Brigade website.
 
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(Ep 180) Julia Lopez Ramirez

In this episode I was pleased to be joined by a truly talented young player in 2023 European Ladies' Amateur Champion, 3x Palmer Cup Participant & Former World Number 1 Amateur Julia Lopez Ramirez as we discuss her upbringing, brilliant amateur career and what her rookie season on LPGA Tour has looked like in her own view so far.
Julia is from Benahavis in Malaga and developed her impressive driving ability from getting in her own words 'teased by her coach' that he could hit it further. 
Julia would go to Mississippi State University as part of the Mississippi Bulldogs and would win 8 individual titles which included the prestigious 2023 European Ladies' Amateur Championship defeating then World Number 1 player Ingrid Lindblad in a thrilling final as well as participating in 3x Palmer Cups for Team International, 2023 Vagliano Trophy participant, 2023 Espirito Santo Trophy participant for Spain & 3x European Ladies' Amateur Team Championships for Spain which included winning for Spain in 2023 alongside ANWA champion Carla Bernat Escuder, Carolina Lopez-Chacarra, Cayetana Fernandez, Tejedo Mulet & Lopez Ortega. Julia would also be the 2023 Southeastern Conference Player of the Year & of course Number 1 Amateur in the world in 2024.
At the end of 2024 Julia would turn pro and would finish T10th at Final Stage of LPGA Q School to gain a tour card for this year 2025. She would tee it up in her first full event as a LPGA pro in Bradenton, Florida for Founders Cup before struggling with a shoulder injury that would hinder her start to the year before finding form early summer finishing T29th at Liberty National for Mizuho Americas Open followed by T45 at Mexico Riviera Maya. At Erin Hills for US Womens Open in June would see Julia be joint first round leader and 2nd going into the final day being in the final group at a major, although it didn't go to plan on the Sunday Julia sees the positives from that week and would make the weekend at 2 of the next majors T36th at KPMG PGA Championship & T28th at Evian Championship. At the Scottish Women's Open in July it would see Julia post her best LPGA Tour finish at Dundonald Links finishing T3rd before struggling at the tough Royal Porthcawl for AIG Women's Open.
It was a great pleasure to have Julia on the podcast. Such a talented player to watch. I wish her nothing but the best for the future and her battle to make CME Tour Finals.
This show is in co-operation with Bunker Brigade Golf Apparel. Bunker Brigade is a golf brand formed in 2024 in Lanarkshire, Scotland. It's main objective is high quality clothing for affordable prices so be sure to check the Bunker Brigade website for the latest clothing.
 

(Ep 179) Becky Brewerton

In this episode I was joined by 2x Ladies European Tour winner & 2x Solheim Cup participant Becky Brewerton who kindly came on for a great chat about her established career and what things are like at the minute having transitioned into a pro caddy since stopping playing in 2023.
Becky is from St Asaph in Northern Wales and turned pro in 2004 after a brilliant Junior & Amateur career which included representing Great Britain & Ireland at 2000 Curtis Cup and 2002 Espirito Santo Trophy. Becky represented Wales 3 times at European Ladies' Amateur Team Championships, she is also a 2x Welsh Girls' Amateur Champion, 2x Welsh Ladies' Amateur Champion & Ladies' European Amateur Champion. In 2003 Becky held the lead until the 17th hole on Sunday at Tenerife Women's Open as an amateur.
Becky turned pro in 2004 after finishing 13th at LET Final Q School and would make an instant impact on LET becoming a consistent figure on the tour. In 2007 she would win her maiden LET title at Chart Hills for Ladies English Open defeating Linda Wessberg, Kirsty Taylor & Karen Stupples by 3 shots before winning a 2nd title in 2009 at Panoramica Club for Open de Espana Femenino.
Becky would get picked for 2007 Solheim Cup at Halmstad Golfklubb in Sweden joining the likes of legendary Annika Sorenstam, Dame Laura Davies, Trish Johnson, Suzann Petterssen & Catriona Matthew which was won by USA 16-12 before getting a second bite at the cheery 2 years later in 2009 at Rich Harvest Farms in Illinois which would feature a young upcoming Anna Nordqvist the first of her 9 Solheim Cups.
Becky since stopping in 2023 has been caddying on LET for players such as Virginia Elena Carta & Meghan MacLaren and was good to chat about her different outlook in comparison to some of the players on the bag for.
Want to thank Becky for taking time to come on the podcast it was great to speak with someone of her calibre with the longevity she showed in her glittering career. I hope you enjoy!
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