A BURDEN OFF FUENFSTUECK'S SHOULDERS AS THEGERMAN HEADS INTO ARAMCO HOUSTONCHAMPIONSHIP

Germany's Laura Fuenfstueck heads into this week's Aramco Houston Championship with a spring in her step and a weight off her shoulders after winning her first Ladies European Tour (LET) title at the PIF London Championship last month.

Not only was that victory huge validation for her after she failed to enter the winner's circle during her first eight years as a professional, but it was also confirmation that all the hard work she has put in since joining the paid ranks in 2018 is finally paying off.

"In general, it feels like a bit of weight has been lifted off my shoulders, because winning is such a massive form of validation as a player," Fuenfstueck said after playing nine holes in practice at Golfcrest Country Club on Tuesday. "There’s a difference between players who have won and players who haven't - even among your peers.

"I feel a bit more free and I'm excited to see what the next few weeks hold. Do I feel more excited to play? Less excited because I've now achieved something I've been working towards for eight years? I still haven’t quite made up my mind. I'm just excited to play the next one and to find out how I feel on the course."

Fuenfstueck held her nerve during the final round of the PIF London Championship, sealing a one-stroke victory at Centurion Club after a tightly contested final day that ended with 10 players within three shots of the winning total.

The 30-year-old German was mightily relieved to hold after rebounding from a rocky start which left her three-over after four holes and she spoke at the time about her breakthrough win being "massively kind of validating" for her.

Fast forward one month and she still feels the same.

"Obviously, big picture, you’re always trying to improve, progress, and keep working on changes to your game," Fuenfstueck smiled. "But there's also that internal desire to win — and winning is the fun bit. Being in contention is the fun bit.

"It's also confirmation that your practice and the changes you've made are paying off and that you're heading in the right direction. So yes, the win was massive validation in that sense."

Fuenfstueck has produced sparkling form on the LET this season. Apart from her breakthrough victory in London, she has recorded two other top-10 finishes along with three more in PIF Global Series team events. She occupies 13th spot in the LET Order of Merit heading into this week.

Asked whether her expectations had changed due to her impressive form during 2025, she replied: "I think my expectations have always been high. I've never wanted to just play golf to compete or just make cuts — I want to be up there every week. That's what you work hard for, and that's where the adrenaline comes from.

"Over the past few years, I haven't quite been where I wanted to be, so this year feels like a massive step in the right direction. I've always had the top 10 on the Order of Merit in my head, and after London, that's much more achievable."

Fuenfstueck, who played U.S. college golf and studied finance at the College of Charleston from 2013 to 2017, liked what she saw of the par-72 Golfcrest Country Club on Tuesday, the Aramco Houston Championship being the fourth and penultimate stop in the PIF Global Series.

"Right now, it feels like the par fours are playing quite long because it’s sowet...so you're hitting more long irons or even hybrids into greens," she said. "That should suit me. The key is to place your shots in the right spots. 

"At first glance, the course looks straightforward, but when you get to your ball, you realize you could've placed it better. I like that challenge — having to think your way around. The greens are in great shape, and the course overall looks really nice."