Pamela Pretswell inspired by round with So Yeon Ryu

So Yeon Ryu is an inspiration for the Scot. Picture: AFP/Getty

“An unbelievable experience and, without doubt, my most enjoyable day on a golf course,” said Pretswell, a member of the 2012 Curtis Cup-winning side at Nairn, of being in the same group as Ryu in the third round at Mission Hills.

“I learned so much from her and I was very happy that I felt comfortable playing with her, one of the world’s top players. The experience has definitely inspired me to keep working hard and see where it takes me.”

A smart cookie – she held off turning professional until graduating from Glasgow University with an Honours degree in business and management – Pretswell may have some way to go to be on the same level as the likes of Ryu, Lydia Ko and Inbee Park but the 25-year-old is certainly moving in the right direction.

In only her third season on the Ladies European Tour, she’s started by clocking up two top-10s in her first three events to sit seventh on the money-list following the early jousts in Australia, New Zealand and China.

“I have been working with Alan Murdoch at Kings Acre since 2011 and he has transformed my game,” admitted Pretswell, who was still an amateur when she used the LET’s Access Series to secure a foothold on the main circuit.

“My biggest improvement since I joined the LET is that I have become better at adapting to course conditions and different environments. Before, I really had one game plan and I relied on my long game which is usually solid, but if that wasn’t on form, I didn’t have a plan B.

“Whereas now, I have seen improvements in all parts of my game, especially my short game from 100 yards in and putting. My game is more adaptable and I have seen a big improvement in my consistency.”

Next up is a trip to Morocco for the Lalla Meryem Cup starting a week tomorrow, though, along with the seven other Scottish regulars on the LET this season, Pretswell is already looking forward to her home Open when it is held at Dundonald Links for the first time at the end of July.

Referring to the sponsor of that event, she said: “I think that Aberdeen Asset Management’s commitment to Scottish ladies’ golf has definitely created a feel-good factor. Their commitment has been a real boost and now having the Scottish Ladies Open as a major event on our schedule is very exciting. I am very much looking forward to the tournament this year at Dundonald, which I am sure will be a great venue.”