Billie-Jo Smith (born c. 1998) is an English professional golfer and Ladies European Tour player. She was LET Access Series Players Player of the Year in 2024.[1]
| Billie-Jo Smith | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal information | |||
| Born | 1998 (age 25–26) Sutton-in-Ashfield, England | ||
| Sporting nationality |  England | ||
| Career | |||
| College | University of Derby | ||
| Turned professional | 2022 | ||
| Current tour(s) | Ladies European Tour (joined 2022) | ||
| Former tour(s) | LET Access Series | ||
| Professional wins | 1 | ||
| Achievements and awards | |||
| |||
Early life and amateur career
editSmith was born and raised in Sutton-in-Ashfield, a market town in Nottinghamshire, and was introduced to golf by her grandmother when she was four. She didn't follow the usual collegiate pathway and instead was educated at Tournament Golf College (TGC) before earning a master's degree at the University of Derby, where she is also pursuing a PhD.[2]
In 2021, Smith was runner-up at the Welsh Women's Open Stroke Play Championship, behind Lottie Woad.[3]
Professional career
editSmith turned professional in 2022 and joined the Ladies European Tour (LET) after earning status at Q-School. Her best finish in her rookie season was a tie for 27th at the Jabra Ladies Open in France.[1]
She sat out most of the 2023 season due to injury, and on her return won a Rose Ladies Series event in early 2024.[4]
In 2024, she joined the LET Access Series where she finished third in the Order of Merit behind Kajsa Arwefjäll and Helen Briem, to graduate to the LET.[2]
Smith lost the final three events of the season in three consecutive playoffs.[5] She was voted the inaugural Players Player of the Year.[6]
Professional wins (1)
editOther wins (1)
editPlayoff record
editLET Access Series playoff record (0–3)
| No. | Year | Tournament | Opponent(s) | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2024 | Hauts de France – Pas de Calais Golf Open |  Anaïs Maggetti Kelsey Bennett
|
Bennett won with birdie on first extra hole |
| 2 | 2024 | Lavaux Ladies Open | Mimi Rhodes
|
Lost to birdie on third extra hole |
| 3 | 2024 | Calatayud Ladies Open | Ellie Gower
|
Lost to birdie on first extra hole |
References
edit- ^ a b "Billie-Jo Smith Bio". Ladies European Tour. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
- ^ a b "Get to Know LETAS Graduate Billie-Jo Smith". LET Access Series. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
- ^ "Billie-Jo Smith". World Amateur Golf Ranking. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
- ^ Ballard, Emma (21 October 2024). "Billie-Jo Smith: Triumphs, challenges, and a bright future on the LET". Women & Golf. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
- ^ "Sara Byrne slips back to finish sixth at Calatayud Ladies Open". The Irish TImes. 5 October 2024. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
- ^ "Rhodes Secures Playoff Victory at the Lavaux Ladies Open". LET Access Series. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
External links
edit- Billie-Jo Smith at the Ladies European Tour official site
- Billie-Jo Smith at the Women's World Golf Rankings official site