Sophie Hausmann will be the first to say she learns just as much from a win as a missed cut.
The defending champion of the IOA Championship presented by Morongo Casino Resort & Spa returns to Morongo Golf Club at Tukwet Canyon with her sights set on a second Epson Tour title and highlights the 120-player field in Beaumont, Calif.
“It shot me up in the Race For the Card rankings, which set different expectations,” said Hausmann, who reached No. 2 on the money list after her victory in Beaumont last March. “It was a learning experience and, in the moment, a lot of fun. Sometimes you doubt if you can actually do it, put it all together one week. It was cool to see I could do it.”
The 24-year-old German particularly remembers the final round and what it took to get the job done.
“It was really windy and there were not many leaderboards [on the course],” Hausmann said. “The question came up on Nos. 10 and 11 of where I was at, but I had no clue and told myself to just finish the round, stay patient and then we’ll see. I did really well in the moment and trusting my game.”
That was just the beginning of the mature takeaways from her first professional win.
“Now I know how long the season is,” Hausmann added. “I did get really caught up in the rankings, probably the one error I made. It’s something I’ve set out to work on this season. I can also get really caught up in practicing golf and for me, it’s more than just a job, or hobby.”
Despite the fiery competitor inside her, Hausmann will soak in every moment during the third stop of the 2022 Epson Tour season. With a fresh perspective, no moment is too big for the Epson Tour winner.
“I really am going into this week with excitement because you don’t defend a title every week. I have an opportunity and great memories, so trust it and enjoy it,” said Hausmann. “There’s a few more things going on with [my face all over] the signage, but to win, that’s why we do it.”
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