Pedersen pick for winning team has boosted Michele Thomson's confidence

Michele Thomson is hoping to sign off her 2020 season on a high in Spain this week after being handed a massive confidence boost by the player setting the Ladies European Tour alight.

Michele Thomson second left, celebrates with, from left, Casandra Hall, Kristine Emily Pedersen and amateur Matt Selby after their win in the inaugural Saudi Ladies Team International. Picture: Tristan Jones

Fresh from winning the inaugural Aramco Saudi Ladies International, Dane Emily Kristine Pedersen picked Aberdonian Thomson along with South African Cassandra Hall for the team event that followed at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club in King Abdullah Economic City.

Along with amateur Matt Selby, they joined forces to post a winning 40-under-par total, which earned Thomson a three-way share of a top prize worth $97,500 on the Red Sea coast, where Pedersen completed a clean sweep by also topping the individual standings in the 54-hole tournament.

“After Emily’s success in the Saudi Ladies International, it was great that she chose me to be part of her team,” admitted Thomson of the draft process. “That was something I never expected and I’ve gained a great friend there.

“I’ve not been playing great and was lacking in confidence going into the two events in Saudi. But, having the team at your back obviously helped and, as the week went on, I started to play some good golf. I was delighted about that and can hopefully keep it up in Spain this week (in the season-ending Andalucia Costa del Sol Open de Espana).

“You learn a lot from such a great player like Emily. She is honestly one of the best players I’ve ever played with and being so young and everything she’s been through, it’s amazing that she’s come back to be so good.

“I think I’ve gained a lot of confidence from her and also gained a lot of confidence from the fact she picked me. I need to believe in myself a bit more and this definitely helped in that respect.

“I’d always say ‘hello’ to her in passing. She’s just a girl I can get on with and has the same sense of humour. We had a good laugh out in Saudi and that helped keep us calm. I don’t think she’s fazed by anything at all. I think you can tell that and I wish her every success in the future.”

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