Beth Allen finds home and success in Europe
How does your career differ from the golf careers of your American colleagues?
It was a brave choice to go to Europe on my own, but it was good for me. I played an L.P.G.A. During my rookie year in Mexico and three years later I used golf as a vehicle to see the world on the L.E.T.
Since the beginning of my career in 2005, so many American friends no longer play tournament golf. I never thought I'd survive them.
You once said that you "never wanted to be the best player in the world." Do you still feel that way?
I have been able to earn a living by doing something I love. I've never been so entangled in rankings. When in 2016 I got the L.E.T. Order of Merit, I was certainly aware of that and wanted to win the bonus money. It would of course be great to be world number 1, but I know what it takes, and it is probably not feasible at my age. I'm just proud that I can still compete.
What does it mean to be the only American winner of the Order of Merit?
I am still the first and only American to win the LET of Order, and that is the only achievement I am most proud of. Writing history is special, and my love for the Ladies European Tour is very strong.
How do you define success in your career?
It is difficult not to define success through victory, but it is also difficult to win. There are some great players who have never won a major tournament or a tournament.
Sometimes I struggle with the idea that I did not do well on the L.P.G.A., the best tour in the world. I had some good weeks there, but never a great full season. I don't know if that will ever happen to me, because I now play strictly in Europe. I will not rule out going back to the L.P.G.A., but I can honestly say that I feel that I have had a successful career, and it has exceeded my expectations.