Meghan MacLaren arrived in Dubbo this week gunning for an unprecedented third successive Women's NSW Open crown.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
But she doesn't feel the pressure.
The English star will be the one to beat at Dubbo Golf from Thursday, having won the two previous editions of the tournament at Coffs Harbour and Queanbeyan.
The English star is well aware of that but rather than dwell on it she will be using it as motivation.
"It's a weird one because it is quite exciting and cool and I can't imagine too many times in my career or anyone's career when you've got the opportunity for something like that," she said of the potential three-peat.
"It would be really special but at the end of the day it's a golf tournament and anything can happen.
"Even last year at Queanbeyan as defending champion, it was a nice place to be in.
"You might have to do a bit more or you could be talked about a bit more but it means you've done something right and that's what we play for every day, to be in that position.
"So I don't see it as pressure. It's a reminder of what you've done before and what you're capable of."
RELATED:
The rare opportunity to see some of the best players in the world in action is enough reason for people all around the region to attend the Open.
But MacLaren's chase for a third crown adds even more to the tournament.
"I don't know what it is about this event," she said of her strong record.
"I think it has something to do with it being the last event in Australian trip and I don't want to go home. I love it out here so much and it's great to go to different places and be in the same tournament."
MacLaren struggled at times in recent tournaments but got back in the groove at last week's Australian Ladies Classic.
Despite a "dodgy last round" she still finished at -3.
It may have been well behind winner Steph Kyriacou, who shot a stunning -22, but there was still a lot to like.
"Before that [final round] I was happy to see a turnaround in my scores and I felt like I found something I'd been looking for the previous two weeks," she said.
"I'm happy with where things are and I'm looking forward to another tournament to put it to the test."
MacLaren's driving game will be key this week with the narrow Dubbo fairways to provide a real test across the four days of play.
The 25-year-old got her first nine holes in during Tuesday morning's practice session and liked what she saw, saying the course had much in common with the Queanbeyan one she conquered last year.
While firmly focused on her own game and bid for a third successive title, MacLaren is also hopeful strong crowds will be on hand for the NSW Open.
More than 150 players from roughly 35 different countries will take to the Dubbo course, giving fans the chance to see elite golf in their own backyard.
"For us it's a golf tournament and what we do week in, week out. But for the people who will hopefully come and watch they might have never seen a professional sport," she said.
"We don't think of it like that but when you talk to people that will be here there is a sense of it being bigger than what we do day in, day out."
The Open runs from Thursday to Sunday.
Do you want more sport from the Dubbo region? Sign up to our newsletters here:
Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
