The American had a record-setting first two rounds — setting the best course score, matching the lowest-ever round on the Ladies European Tour (61), and the consecutive-birdie run (eight), before smashing the LET 36-hole record by eight strokes with back-to-back 61s.

On Sunday, she kept Solheim Cup star and Riyadh Team Champion Ciganda at arm’s length to pick up her second professional victory, a cheque for $75,000, a whole lot of entries in the record books — and a real boost after losing out to Minjee Lee in a playoff in Korea last week.

A champion’s performance ? #SeeTheImpact pic.twitter.com/euvFgeN5WX

— Aramco Team Series (@Aramco_Series) October 29, 2023

Lee began the final round six strokes clear of Ciganda, and after an early charge from the Spaniard, who had that margin down to three at one point, Lee turned on the afterburners it was back at six by the turn.

A birdie on 11 for Lee, while Ciganda could only par, seemed to take the wind out of the Spaniard’s sails as the lead stretched out to seven strokes. With

Ciganda out of ideas and out of steam, Lee was allowed to canter home for an eight-stroke victory, with a 65 to go with her pair of 61s and a stunning 29-under total.

Sitting proudly beside the trophy, Lee expressed her delight and relief at her triumph.

“I’ve played some really good golf this week and putted even better,” she said, and even that was modest. “I hit almost every green, gave myself plenty of birdie opportunities, and made a lot of them count with aggressive, confident play. I had a lot of fun out there and I’m delighted with the win because any tournament is difficult to win — there are so many great players out there and all of them can produce great golf.

“Carlota’s a great competitor. She made a really great eagle and then a birdie to bring it to within three. I was well aware of the challenge, but like I say, I felt really confident with my own game. I made some birdies of my own early on and that set the tone for the rest of the day and helped me to get the job done.”

Lee’s efforts also saw her eclipse the 54-hole scoring record on the LET, and her 29-under equalled the best score as well, a mark that was previously set over 72-holes.

Lee also made 29 birdies at Aramco Team Series — Riyadh and all three of her scorecards were bogey-free. Her performance saw her add to her maiden tour win — the individual event at ATS Sotogrande in 2021 — and she was keen to praise those who made this week possible.

“Thank you Golf Saudi, Aramco, and the Public Investment Fund for staging this event. I love coming here and playing in these events,” she added. “I also want to thank Riyadh Golf Club. A lot had to be done to get the course ready and everyone involved did a tremendous job. I’ve been made to feel really welcome and I’d love to return and compete here again.”

Carlota Ciganda congratulates Alison Lee on her victory. ATS

As for Ciganda, the Spaniard’s final-round 67 took her to 21-under-par. Despite her runners-up spot, the world No. 33 nevertheless had a memorable weekend in Riyadh, where she captained her team to a three-stroke 43-under-par victory in the team event.

“If you’d told me at the beginning of the week that I’d finish on 21-under, I’d have taken that,” she said. “The conditions have been great here in Riyadh. There was no wind on the first two days but you still have to play well and score. It’s been an amazing weekend and I’m happy to finish second on the back of a great day yesterday.”

Commenting on Lee’s performance, she was full of praise for the American, adding: “When someone plays like that, you just have to say congratulations and well done. Alison has matched something that’s only ever been done over 72 holes on the LET before. She was amazing out there.”

The post Alison Lee takes more Riyadh records — and the title at Aramco Team Series finale appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

It was not for winning captain and Solheim Carlota Ciganda, but for the 17-year-old amateur who was playing alongside the Spanish skipper, Italian Alessandra Fanali and Czech Sara Kouskova.

Lujain Khalil was the local hero out here in Riyadh, playing on her home course and representing Saudi Arabia. The perma-smiling youngster gave her watching family and friends one more reason to cheer other than playing her part in the quartet that eased to a three-stroke victory on 34-under, she also sank the birdie putt on the par-3 17 that secured the final Team title of the Aramco Team Series 2023 season.

Lujain Khalil high-fives Sara Kouskova after the winning putt. Oisin Keniry/ATS

“It was incredible,” Lujain said afterwards, the giant trophy by her side. “After hole 17 Carlota asked me how I was feeling, and I said: ‘I don’t think there has ever been a word created that can describe this feeling.’ This is probably the biggest day of golf I have ever seen.

“Carlota is a powerhouse, and Alessandra and Sara have been incredible. Considering they are rookies, their game has just been incredible.”

Despite this famous victory and that putt that will live long in Lujain’s memory, she has huge ambitions for the future. The youngster was born and raised in Saudi Arabia and is determined to fly the flag for the Kingdom as she grows more into the game.

“This is exactly where I want to be,” she said. “I want to be as strong as Carlota and as accurate as these two girls, and this is just a priceless feeling.

“I represent the Kingdom internationally in all golf events. This is a dream I shared with my grandmother before she passed, and eventually you will see me at the Olympics representing the Kingdom in this sport. I have been playing golf for four years. I took it up in Covid, it was really coincidental, and I have never looked back. I love it, even on the bad days, I love the feeling of even crying because of a bad round as it adds up to a lovely long journey.”

Lujain Khalil alongside her captain Carlota Ciganda. Oisin Keniry/ATS

Ciganda was first to praise the young talent she played beside on Friday and Saturday.

“I think she played great,” she said. “To be playing only four years, I know this is her own course, but still … she hit some great shots, a really good putt on 14 and then that great birdie on 17 — wow, that is a feeling you are going to have when you win a tournament.

“The only advice I would have is to keep working hard. There are no secrets to success in golf, if you want to win you have to work hard. Enjoy yourself and have fun too, but work hard.

“I mean, I love her energy. She is very positive because she loves what she does and that is very important because there are going to be some tough days, lonely days. Golf can be hard, but on the good days it is all worth it.”

Lujain was also grateful for all the support she received from family and friends, not only this week but throughout the past four years — especially from father Omar.

“I want to thank him [Dad] in every language possible,” she said. “He and my family have always been there for me, but him specifically. He’s my coach, my trainer, my caddie, my dad — most importantly — and he has been there from day one. You don’t just wake up and happen to have a good swing or good scores. He has been there for me on the bad days when I am crying and on the good days when it feels like the whole world fits my happiness.

“I am forever grateful to him and so happy to be sharing this journey with him and my family.”

Dad Omar was on hand to lead the congratulations after Lujain’s win. Oisin Keniry/ATS

Dad Omar also took time to reflect on that journey, speaking to Golf Digest Middle East after watching Lujain’s triumph.

“It was — it is — a very tough journey,” he said with a laugh. “This is by far the toughest sport. I played tennis, I did a lot of watersports. Lujain is one of four daughters, and none of them picked up on tennis, and she picked up on golf during Covid. She hit her first shot and said: ‘Daddy, this is what I am going to do for life.’ I said: ‘Ok. If you want to do it for leisure it takes one beast, but if you are going to do it competitively, that takes a completely different animal. If you run at 5kph, I will run at 10.’ And she never slowed down.

“I had to get certified, and now I do her strength and conditioning, I do her nutrition and I do her swing coaching.”

The hard work is paying off, on and off the course as Lujain is beginning to inspire those even younger than her in and around her home Riyadh Golf Course.

“Lujain gets endless happiness when young girls approach her and ask her about the game and she loves sending that message to every single girl, whether it is out here in the Middle East: pursue your happiness, find your passion, work hard and nothing comes easy, you got to work hard for it,” Omar added, smiling as he seemed to recall all the hours and hours they have put in together. “People watch golf on the screen and think it is easy — just a club and a ball — but nobody really understands the amount of tedious work, day-in day-out, to get to the level to play 18 holes for three consecutive days and get the scores, it is brutal, just brutal. So find your passion and work hard.”

When asked if he will go easy on Lujain over the next few days following this latest success, Omar was laughing again: “I hope she goes easy on me! It is a work in progress, Lujain’s ambitions are way further than today. She wants majors … she is going all the way. She just loves this sport more than anything else on Earth. So I have got to keep up with her, not the other way around!”

Lujain Khalil celebrates with father Omar after the win. Oisin Keniry/ATS

The post Riyadh’s local Aramco Team Series hero Lujain Khalil: See you at the Olympics! appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

But Carlota Ciganda probably came as close as anyone could to nicking at least part of Lee’s spotlight show on Saturday.

The European Solheim Cup hero proved once again that she is a team player as she led her playing partners — Italian Alessandra Fanali, Czech Sara Kouskova and amateur player, representing Saudi Arabia, Lujain Khalil — to an emphatic 43-under-par triumph in the Team event at Riyadh Golf Club.

Upstaging Team Alison Lee (see?) and Team Trichat Cheenglab, Ciganda and Co won by three strokes, with the runners-up locked on 40-under.

The celebrating quartet met the media after their victory, where every player contributed vital shots over the two-day competition, including amateur Lujain ‘LJ’ Khalil, who sank the putt for birdie on the 17th that secured victory.

What a team ? #SeeTheImpact pic.twitter.com/L3xo4lL4PZ

— Aramco Team Series (@Aramco_Series) October 28, 2023

Commenting on the victory alongside teammates, world No.33 Ciganda said: “I’ve always said that I love playing this format. Every time you win as a team, it’s a different feeling because you’re playing for something more than just yourself.

“It’s amazing to be here today as team event winners and the girls alongside me played amazing. We had a lot of chances, we made so many birdies, and it was so much fun out there. We’ve really enjoyed playing this course ever since we arrived and we’ll enjoy this moment.”

Ciganda said, who won the Aramco Team Series — Florida Individual competition in May, added: “I think it’s been a great two days. The girls played amazing and we had a great amateur [Khalil]. She made the winning putt to help us go to 41-under. I think we had fun and we were a real team the last two days. I’m more happy for the girls than for me, I just love team events.”

Team Ciganda drew a blank on the first hole, but soon got into their stride, picking up two strokes on the second with birdies from Ciganda, Kouskova and the impressive Khalil, who is only 17 and plays off a handicap of seven.

It was all rattling the bottom of cups and high-fives from then on as Team Ciganda began reeling in the clubhouse leaders — Team Cheenglab and Team  Lee.

And still the Team Ciganda train kept rolling, with five more shots gained in five holes from the 10th before the skipper showed some magic, holing out from the bunker for eagle and they were one off the lead.

With holes and momentum on their side, they were level with the leaders by the time they reached 17, and Khalil stepped up to take them home with a brilliant putt before they cantered home — their 43-under a record 36-hole score in the ATS.

“It was so much fun,” Fanali said. “Credit to Carlota, she fought for the team and was so good. We had so much fun, especially at the end. On the last five holes there was a lot of good golf.”

Kouskova added: “It’s incredible. I’m having a hard time trying to soak it all in. Playing with a team like this, especially with Carlota leading, is essentially a dream come true. We had a blast and I think we were lost in the moment sinking birdies.”

Girl of the moment, Khalil, beaming the whole time, added: “It was incredible. After hole 17 Carlota asked me how I was feeling, and I said: ‘I don’t think there has ever been a word that can describe this feeling. This is probably the biggest day of golf I have ever seen.”

While the team event is over, another big day awaits Ciganda, who is still in the running for the individual prize. On 16-under-par, she is second in the individual standings, six back from Lee and one ahead of Sweden’s Pernilla Lindberg in third. The Spaniard show some sensational play, allowing her to sign for an individual 63 and set up an enthralling final day.

Main image: Carlota Ciganda with Italian Alessandra Fanali, Czech Sara Kouskova and amateur player, representing Saudi Arabia, Lujain Khalil. LET

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Following a historic first round of records on Friday in Saudi Arabia for the American with her 61 at the Aramco Team Series finale, Lee was at it again on Saturday, posting another 61 to sit on a staggering 22-under and take a six-stroke lead into the final round.

In the process, she smashed the existing Ladies European Tour 36-hole record of 16-under by eight shots and is in prime position for her second professional individual title.

Try as they might, the rest of the pack were left trailing (and congratulating) Lee, with overnight challenger and namesake Minjee fading somewhat, adding a 70 to go with a first-round of 63.

Minjee now sits in a bunch on 11-under alongside World No. 1 Lilia Vu, with Spain’s Carlota Ciganda the closest contender to Alison on 16-under.

Carlota Ciganda. ATS

The Spaniard’s wonderful nine-under 63, means Alison cannot afford to be complacent on Sunday, especially if the Solheim Cup hero keeps playing like this.

When asked by Golf Digest about where Riyadh sits on her top courses list now after a brilliant 48 hours, Alison said with a laugh: “The wind wasn’t up today, and the soft greens also helped, so it was a fairly easy day like yesterday. Personally, I enjoy playing very difficult courses, especially for tournament rounds, because I field a little bit. When it is easy like this, it kind of becomes a putting competition. Thankfully, I am on the good side of that this week on this golf course. I am putting really well. Not only that, but I am leaving myself 15 feet and in on every hole.

“But at the end of the day, it’s about making my putts, and I was able to make a lot of them today. Overall, it is quite a short course. Every hole, I was looking at wedge or less in and on only two of the par-3s was I using an 8-iron in.

“Only on one hole did I need to lay up — my 13th hole I think — and I was like: ‘Oh, I haven’t seen this club in a while!’

“You got to play confidently and aggressively out there because there are so many birdies to be made.”

On a different level this week. @alisonlee shoots back-to-back 61s to set a new @LETgolf scoring record after 36 holes ? #SeeTheImpact pic.twitter.com/kfoIRTMuW9

— Aramco Team Series (@Aramco_Series) October 28, 2023

On the shortest holes, Lee made a stunning six birdies on eight par-3s over the first two days, and again Lee said that was down to the playing conditions.

“The lack of wind and the soft greens meant you didn’t need to try to take it up this hill or land in a specific spot, you can pretty much just go straight at the flag and hit your numbers.”

Should Lee repeat her magic on the course on the final day on Sunday, she admitted she would wish it was a 72-hole event so she could go for even more records. She equalled the best round (61) on the LET on both days so far, has the Riyadh course record (x2) and also matched the LET record of eight birdies in a row on Day 1.

“Yeah, absolutely,” she laughed. “We will see what happens tomorrow. A lot depends on the weather. I feel really confident about my game right now. I didn’t expect another 61 today, but I did expect another low one. Hopefully I can break it [61] tomorrow, I still have one more day!”

Alison and her playing partners came so close to celebrating the two-day Team crown with a collective score of 40-under and the joint clubhouse lead alongside Team Cheenglab.

But Ciganda’s quartet had other ideas and roared through the back nine to overhaul Lee, Switzerland’s Morgane Metraux, Gaurika Bishnoi of India and impressive American amateur Chris Thomas.

The winning moment ?

What a performance from the whole team ?#SeeTheImpact pic.twitter.com/83X88US434

— Aramco Team Series (@Aramco_Series) October 28, 2023

Ciganda, Alessandra Fanali, Sara Kouoskova and amateur Saudi Arabia prospect Lujain ‘LJ’ Khalil made the final push to get ahead of Team Lee and Team Cheenglab.

LJ holed out the key putt for two on the par-3 17th to get Team Ciganda to 41-under — a moment she will treasure forever. Kouskova followed the amateur in for birdie to take them to 42-under, with Team Bronte Law, the only quartet on course who could catch them, settling for 39-under and fourth place.

As the sun set on the final group, it was skipper Ciganda who had the final say, narrowly missing eagle, but claiming the birdie to take the team to 43-under and trigger a sea of high-fives.

“I love the team events, where you are all pulling for each other. I am happier for the team than myself, especially LJ, who holed that winning putt,” said Ciganda. “We all contributed and it was a great team effort.”

Finali added: “We really had a lot of fun out there, especially the last four or five holes, where we all came together.”

Now Ciganda and Lee turn their attention to Sunday and take aim at a sensational finale to round out the ATS season.

Main image: ATS

The post Alison Lee continues to steamroll the Riyadh course in Aramco Team Series finale appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

“I think team tournaments are always super fun,” Vu, the two-time 2023 major winner, said. “I played college golf and then the Solheim [Cup], so I really love the team aspect. I think it’s really fun and I think we’re gonna have a good week.”

Sitting alongside Vu in the media conference on Thursday was someone who certainly knows a thing or two about team golf.

Carlota Ciganda. Neville Hopwood

Spain’s Carlota Ciganda sunk the winning putt to ensure Team Europe retained the Solheim Cup in September and also claimed the ATS Florida event in May.

“I love playing for the team,” she said. “Solheim is always very special and these weeks they are fun, too, because you play with two pros and an amateur and you are part of a team. You are trying to do the best for the team. I think it’s a great week and I’m very happy to be here.”

Ciganda chose her fellow Arizona State University graduate Alessandra Fanali to join her team in Riyadh this weekend, something the Spaniard is sure will be an asset in Riyadh.

“I didn’t play with her on the team because she’s much younger, but I live in Scottsdale and I do go and practise where she used to play.,” Ciganda said of the Italian 24-year-old. “I know her well. I mean Spanish and Italians always pretty close and good friends. But yeah, I’m very happy to play with her. I haven’t played much with her. But I know she’s a pretty solid player. I’m just happy to go out with her tomorrow and have a good time.

Ciganda is also a Golf Saudi Ambassador, and is delighted to here and be part of the team that is revolutionising the game.

“I think it’s amazing what Saudi’s doing,” she said. “I think in the world in general with sports they invest in. I think in every sport, we can see with Formula One, with LIV with pretty much everywhere in the world. I think they want to try to put Saudi on the map. And hopefully we can. I’m very happy to be here and try to help grow the game. For me, it’s been it’s been great playing these events, played in Jeddah, played here, played a few other around the world. They do such a great job with all the marketing, all the grandstands. I mean, it feels like major tournaments. I think it’s fun to play as a team fun to play those three days. And hopefully, we can keep doing this. And we can see more golfers here we can see girls getting into golf. I think that’s the aim that we are all trying to do and hopefully we can do it. And in a few years, we can see more and more golfers here in Saudi.”

Vu has just had a standout career year that any golfer would be dreaming of, with two majors — the Chevron Championship and AIG Women’s Open — and a third-place finish in the Aramco Saudi Ladies International at the start of the year.

“I think the reason why I did so well this year is because I came into the season with no expectations,” she said. “I knew that last year at the end of the year, I got really down on myself by not performing where I wanted to. So I was pretty lenient with myself at the beginning of the year and then just tried to have fun throughout the year and let my golf just naturally happen.

“[The Saudi International] was my first tournament of the year. And I remember kind of just being really worried about the stuff that I worked on in the off-season wasn’t where I wanted it to be and then playing that tournament gave me a lot of confidence going into the season.”

With two majors under her belt, the confidence must be sky-high right now.

The post Lilia Vu and Carlota Ciganda are real team players at Aramco Team Series — Riyadh appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

The star performer of the week at Finca Cortesin in Spain was stand-out home hero Carlota Ciganda, who won all four of her matches and took down world No. 3 Nelly Korda 2&1 with some stunning play on the Sunday along the way.

Ciganda marked her sixth appearance in the biennial contest between the best women golfers in Europe and the US in front of a (very) patriotic Spanish throng peppered with friends and family

“It was an amazing experience playing in Spain with all my family there and in front of a home crowd,” Ciganda said in a chat with Golf Digest Middle East on Thursday, having had a few days to let her achievement sink in. “It was such a fun week. The Solheim Cup is one of my favourite events, and to play for Suzann [Pettersen, the Team Europe captain], playing in Spain, it was really special and I am so happy how it ended up and it is a moment I won’t ever forget.”

While Sunday will long stay in the memory of both Carlota and her many fans, she pointed back to a moment on the Friday as a key to how events unfolded as she shared lunch with Ryder Cup legend — both as a captain and as a player with ‘Spanish Armada’ cohort Seve Ballesteros — Jose Maria Olazabal.

“Jose was with us,” Ciganda said. “He came to the opening ceremony with us and we had dinner with him, where he made a speech. I wasn’t playing on Friday morning so I stayed with Jose. He told us stories about Seve playing in the Ryder Cup and that was very inspiring. His message to all the girls was: ‘Never give up. If you still have a chance, just try your best. That’s what Seve used to say and do. Don’t give up and play until the end.’ That was really nice. He also sent he a message after we retained the Cup and it was very special to me to receive that.”

Next up for Ciganda is a trip to Hong Kong to play in the penultimate Aramco Team Series event ahead of the finale in Riyadh at the end of the month, and she hopes to put her now vast experience in team events to good use.

“I have never been to Hong Kong, but I have seen the course and it looks amazing,” she said. “The Aramco always plays quality courses and hopefully I can go and get another win there.

“Playing for a team means you are playing for something bigger than yourself. I think when you play for Europe in the Solheim Cup, or for Spain, or in the Aramco Team Series where you have teammates, you are just trying to help them and bring the best out of them. For me it is a fun week.”

The 14-14 draw in Spain has sparked a bit of debate and division among fans and players, many of whom have suggested some sort of a playoff to decide the winner should the scores be level after three days of play in both the Solheim and Ryder Cups. Ever the diplomat, Ciganda kept a foot in both camps.

“It was always been the way that they have been doing it throughout history [a tie means the previous event’s winner retains the trophy],” she said. “I think if you have 14-14 many years in a row it would be nice to see a winner but it doesn’t happen often so I think it is fine. I think the spectators want to see a winner — especially after three days of competing — so I understand and respect both sides… I don’t know. I think whatever is good for the golf, I am happy with that.”

So, with the men up next at Marco Simone in Italy, who does Carlota think will win that one?

“Ooooof. I’m gonna go with 15-13 for Europe,” she said after a moment of pondering. “I think the Americans are favourites with the players they have, but I think the course and the set-up and we are playing well, so I think we have a good chance. But I think it is going to be a competitive and close Ryder Cup.”

We need to wait for one more Sunday to see how that unfolds, too.

Main image: Carlota Ciganda. Angel Martinez

The post Carlota Ciganda reveals how Olazabal’s Ryder Cup tales of Seve inspired Team Europe to Solheim Cup success in Spain appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

Zhang’s professional debut sent shockwaves through the golf world when she secured victory at the Mizuho Americas Open in June. Her incredible win made her the first player to achieve this feat on the LPGA Tour since Japanese star Hinako Shibuno in 2019. Zhang’s triumph marked her as the eighth player since 1992 to win in their first professional start on Tour, joining the ranks of household names such as Karrie Webb.

Zhang’s extraordinary amateur career included eight wins in a single season, a record that ties her with golf legend Tiger Woods for the most wins by a Stanford player in the school’s history. Zhang’s remarkable journey saw her win 12 times in just 20 starts during her Stanford career, surpassing all other players, both male and female, including Woods.

Zhang’s reign as the world’s No. 1-ranked amateur extended over an impressive 141 weeks, a record unmatched by any other player. Her amateur tenure also featured 13 starts on the LPGA Tour, including participation in eight major championships, with her best finish being T11 at the 2020 Chevron Championship.

Currently ranked 32nd in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings, Zhang said: “I’m delighted to be part of the Aramco Team Series — Hong Kong. It’s an incredible opportunity to be part of such an exciting world-class event, and I’m eager to take on some of the world’s best on this fantastic stage in Hong Kong.”

Joining Zhang and Vu in Hong Kong from the European Solheim Cup team are Carlota Ciganda and Caroline Hedwall. ATS Florida champion Ciganda secured the crucial point to help Team Europe retain the Solheim Cup by defeating ATS London champ Nelly Korda 2&1 in their singles match in Spain.

Accompanying Ciganda is fellow European Hedwall, who defeated American Ally Ewing 2-Up in a decisive Sunday singles match.

Main image: Rose Zhang. Malcolm Mackenzie/LET

The post Rose Zhang among Solheim Cup stars confirmed for Aramco Team Series — Hong Kong appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

Here’s how a see-saw Sunday played out with the lone Spaniard competing this week at Finac Cortesin — Carlota Ciganda — pulling out a singles win that meant she and her European teammates were holding the trophy at day’s end.

All times local

• • •

2.43pm — Leona Maguire’s comprehensive 4&3 victory over Rose Zhang in the second match moved Europe ahead in the contest for the first time this week.
United States 8, Europe 9

• • •

3.05pm — Not that it lasted long. Playing in six-under par with concessions and up all the way from first hole to last, the unbeaten Megan Khang was still only just good enough to see off a tenacious Linn Grant on the 18th green in the opening match.
United States 9, Europe 9

• • •

3.06pm — Moments later, Danielle Kang’s comfortable 4&2 win over a clearly out-of-sorts Charley Hull restored the US advantage.
United States 10, Europe 9
• • •

Anna Nordqvist. David Cannon

3.23pm — The European response was immediate, Anna Nordqvist recording her first point of the week to level the scores again.
United States 10, Europe 10

• • •

4.22-4.25pm — There followed a lull in the proceedings, one initially broken by a couple of turnarounds that could have gone a long way towards breaking European resistance. One-by-one, three of America’s middle order delivered for their captain. Andrea Lee came from 2-down with four to play to halve with Georgia Hall. Lilia Vu easily beat Madelene Sagstrom 4&3. And Angel Yin, 1-down with six to play, rallied to be Celine Boutier on the 17th green.
United States 12.5, Europe 10.5

• • •

4.32pm — Still the American surge wasn’t over, Cheyenne Knight coming from 2-down with four to play to deny Gemma Dryburgh victory.
United States 13, Europe 11

• • •

Caroline Hedwall. Stuart Franklin

4.48pm — Three down with six to play against Ally Ewing, things didn’t look too good for Caroline Hedwall, perhaps Pettersen’s most controversial captain’s pick and someone who had played only one match — a loss — before the singles. No matter. A spectacular run of five birdies in the next six holes put things right, the Swede claiming a crucial, and unlikely, point for her side.
United States 13, Europe 12

• • •

5.05pm — Playing the US Women’s Open champion brings with it a challenge, but that didn’t seem to much matter to Maja Stark. Up all the way from the seventh hole, the Swede defeated Allisen Corpuz on the penultimate green.
United States 13, Europe 13

• • •

5.15pm — Fittingly, the point that clinched retention of the trophy for Europe came from the only Spaniard in the team and the only player on either side to come away with an unblemished record. Step forward Carlota Ciganda, a 2&1 winner over Jessica Korda to cap a 4-0 week.
United States 13, Europe 14

• • •

5.23pm — And finally. Emily Pedersen started well against Lexi Thompson and was 2-up after four holes. Thereafter, the Dane, one of only three Europeans to play all five matches, seemed to run out of puff. Thompson won six of nine holes to take a 4-up lead with five to play. A late flurry briefly offered hope of a team Europe victory overall, but winning the last two holes proved to be beyond Pedersen’s flagging capabilities. The game ended on the 17th green.
United States 14, Europe 14

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Following a script even the most imaginative Hollywood script writer may have rejected as “too unlikely”, Ciganda marked her sixth appearance in the biennial contest between the best women golfers on either side of the Atlantic with golf of the highest standard in front of an adoring crowd packed with compatriots, never mind an army of pals and relatives.

World No. 28 Ciganda’s overall record in Solheim play now reads 11-8-4. In other words, 13 points from 23 matches. Pretty good but, to put things in perspective, just over half the points (25) accumulated by the legendary Laura Davies from 46 matches. So a long way to go before true immortality can be attained.

“It’s amazing,” was the University of Arizona grad’s predictable reaction to her new “national heroine” status. “All the support from my family, friends. I have a lot of people here. To play in Spain is always special. To play a Solheim Cup here has been just an unbelievable week. There is nothing like this. To play in Spain in front of your home crowd, and to have my name being chanted was really amazing, very special. It is something that I won’t ever forget.”

Perhaps the most impressive aspect of Ciganda’s performance in her 2&1 singles victory over Nelly Korda was not just that she saw off the world’s third-best player, or that she was nicely under par in doing so. No, it was that she achieved all of that knowing the responsibility on her shoulders.

While the unpredictability of 18-hole match play is part of golfing lore, it was clear to all that, for Europe to win — or retain the trophy — Ciganda was going to have to win. For her teammates to amass at least six points from the other 11 matches was not something many would wager on. Indeed, confirmation of that weight on her shoulders was underlined late in the match when Pettersen appeared for a chat. Not that Ciganda was too coherent by the time she and her teammates sat down to talk to the press.

“This was a team effort,” she said. “I’m so proud of everyone here. I can’t remember what I thought when I holed the winning putt. I just went crazy. The Americans excel in singles, they are really good players. But we had a great team and I thought we could do this. The team was ready to go out there, fight and give their best. And we did.

“Suzann came to me on 16,” the two-time LPGA Tour winner LPGA continued. “She came to me, told me to go out and do this in front of your country and in front of your people. Then I hit a great shot. And then 17 was just amazing. To finish like that, I have no words. It’s a week that I’m going to remember forever. I knew what I had to do. I love the captain, I love Suzann and I just really wanted to play good for her. The Americans played amazing as well, so congrats to both teams.”

Fair enough. But special self-congratulation wouldn’t go amiss either. Spain has a new golfing hero to set alongside the likes of Seve Ballesteros, Jose Maria Olazabal, Sergio Garcia and Jon Rahm. A “cinco famosos” if you prefer.

The post Spain’s Carlota Ciganda starring role on her home turf ‘something I won’t ever forget’ appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

Starting the day tied at 8-8, after two days of foursomes and fourballs, it all came down to an enthralling final day of singles and the teams tied the session with six points each.

Spanish star Carlota Ciganda holed the putt to win her match and secure the 14th point needed to retain the Cup, which meant that Europe claimed an historic three in a row.

Prior to this match, the overall scoreline was 10-7 in America’s favour. Since the contest began in 1990, Europe had never won three competitions in a row. The US team won three in a row in ’94, ’96 and ’98 and repeated the feat again in ’05, ’07 and ’09.

Speaking to Sky Sports, European Captain Suzann Pettersen, who made the winning putt four years ago at Gleneagles, said: “I think the tears have gone now. I think it was meant to be, Carlota holing the winning putt in Spain. Hedwall played her part. It came down to the wire.”

Hedwall was the player who changed the momentum for Europe. Three down after 12, she turned the match around, winning five of the last six holes against Ally Ewing to clinch a crucial point.

Pettersen said: “It’s going to be a big party tonight.” When asked how she would celebrate, she added: “The Spanish way.”

Here’s how the final day unfolded…

Leona Maguire def. Rose Zhang 4&3

Leona Maguire won her singles match against Rose Zhang 4&3 and put the first point on the board for Europe.

In the second singles match, Zhang won the first hole. The first blue on the board appeared after Maguire’s back-to-back birdies put the Irish star 1 up through 3 holes.

The American won the fourth, but Maguire made a long birdie putt to win the fifth and go 1 up again.

Zhang won the par-3 sixth with a birdie and the match was back to all square before Maguire sank a par putt to win the seventh, go 1 up again.

Maguire won the 10th and 11th before Zhang took the 12th, but on the 13th, Zhang found the penalty area short of the green and then took too much club with her approach and was looking at a five.

Maguire chipped to two feet in three and Zhang didn’t threaten the hole so told Maguire to pick up her marker and she was back to 3 up.

On the next, Maguire then holed an enormous eagle putt uphill from 14 paces to go 4 up after 14.

Her par putt on 15 was conceded and Maguire drew first blood for Europe with her point taking the score to 8-9, putting Europe up for the first time.

Maguire said: “Jessica Korda tweeted the other day that I was annoying at match play, so the goal this week was to be as annoying as possible.

“Suzann made it very clear a couple of months ago that I would be playing five [matches] but I think with the energy of this crowd I could have played 10.”

Megan Khang def. Linn Grant 1 up

The first point on the board for the US came courtesy of Megan Khang, who defeated Linn Grant 1 up.

Playing in the first match, Khang won the opening hole thanks to a birdie on the 299-yard par-4 first.

She led throughout the match and although Grant won the seventh and 12th holes, she handed two back at the 10th and 13th.

Grant holed a clutch birdie putt to win the 16th and was just one down, but, at 18, her eagle putt came up just short and Khang made a winning birdie putt from five feet to win 1 up.

Danielle Kang def. Charley Hull 4&2

Kang won the first hole, but Hull tied the match with a par on the third when Kang missed her putt from close range.

Kang won the sixth, eighth and ninth to go three up, and although Hull won the 10th, Kang went back to three in front thanks to a birdie on the 12th. Kang then won the 16th with a birdie for a comfortable 4&2 victory.

Anna Nordqvist def. Jennifer Kupcho 2&1

Tied through three holes, a par on the fifth was good enough for Nordqvist to take the hole and put Europe 1 up. The European vice-captain also won the sixth and seventh to make it three holes in a row and go 3 up. Kupcho won the eighth and 13th and 14th, but Nordqvist won the 12th and 16th to go 2 up.

On the 17th tee, Nordqvist fired her tee shot to the heart of the green and Kupcho mis-hit her iron under pressure. Nordqvist’s putt for the match was conceded resulting in a 2&1 victory for the playing Vice-Captain and taking the scores to 10-10.

Georgia Hall tied with Andrea Lee

In a closely fought match, Hall birdied the first hole to go 1 up. Lee won the sixth, Hall won the seventh and Lee won the eighth to bring the match back to level.

Although Hall won the 12th and 14th holes, Lee won the 15th and Hall missed birdie chances on the 16th and 17th. The match ended in a tie and the score moved to 10.5 each.

Lilia Vu def. Madelene Sagström 4&3

World number two Vu, pointless up until the singles, had a statement to make and she holed a long putt from five yards on the first to go 1 up against Sagström.

She won five of the first six holes with birdies to go 5 up. Sagström fought back to win the eighth and 10th holes, but Vu won the 11th to get back to 4 up. Sagström won the 13th but Vu closed the match on 15.

Angel Yin def. Celine Boutier 2&1

World No. 5 Boutier won the first to go 1 up, but Californian Yin was pumped, winning the second, third and seventh to go 2 up.

Boutier won the eighth, 11th and 12th, but Yin won 13 and 14 to go 1 up. Boutier won the 15th, but Yin won the 16th and 17th to take the point and the overall tally to 12.5-10.5 in favour of the USA.

Gemma Dryburgh tied with Cheyenne Knight

Scottish rookie Dryburgh holed an enormous putt from 20 yards to win the third hole and then took the fifth and sixth to go 3 up.

Dryburgh lost three holes at the eighth, 15th and 16th and suddenly the match was tied heading to 17. Ewing and Dryburgh matched each other’s scores on 17 and 18 and the match ended in a tie, with the overall scores 13-11 in America’s favour.

Caroline Hedwall def. Ally Ewing 2 up

Ewing had the momentum and was 3 up after 12. Three down with six to play, Hedwall won five of the last six holes to turn the match around in dramatic circumstances.

The heroine of the 2013 Solheim Cup holed a monster putt at the 16th to take the match back to all square.

She then holed another perfectly judged birdie putt downhill on the par-3 17th to go 1 up as a path to Europe potentially retaining the trophy opened up.

At the par-5 18th, Hedwall hit her second shot to the heart of the green. Ewing’s second found the bunker and after her third shot, her ball ran over the green and down a bank. Her fourth shot ran well past the hole and she conceded Hedwall’s eagle putt, the Swede winning 2 up.

With the scores at 13-12, Europe needed to win two of the last three matches to retain the trophy.

Maja Stark def. Allisen Corpuz 2&1

The duo tied the first six holes, but Stark won the seventh and 14th to go 2 up.

She lost the 15th after taking three to get out of a bunker and was back to 1 Up but won the 17th after her putt was conceded.

13-13

The Dream Team #VamosGirls | #SolheimCup2023 | @SolheimCupEuro pic.twitter.com/HO2Loyzn01

— The Solheim Cup (@TheSolheimCup) September 24, 2023

Carlota Ciganda def. Nelly Korda 2&1

At the 299-yard par-4 first hole, world No. 3 Korda, looking to silence the home crowd, played safe with an iron.

World No. 28 Ciganda’s tee shot at the first with a wood landed on the green and rolled over the back, but her chip to the green ran back down the hill. She made a par putt to tie the hole, but then won the second and third to go 2 up.

Korda won the ninth, 10th and 15th to tie the match. The American missed her birdie putt from five feet on 16 and Ciganda holed hers from three feet to go 1 up.

On the 17th, Ciganda hit the most magnificent tee shot to within four feet of the flag. Korda’s ball ended off the green and her chip narrowly missed the hole. She made her par.

After taking a deep breath, Ciganda made her putt to win her match 2&1 and took Europe to the 14 points needed prompting jubilant scenes on the 17th green.

Of all people, it was the popular Spaniard in front of her home fans which meant that Europe claimed a historic three in a row.

Proud of our team

We’ll go after it again in 2024. ?? pic.twitter.com/eEKaRVvLPT

— Solheim Cup Team USA ?? (@SolheimCupUSA) September 24, 2023

Lexi Thompson def. Emily Kristine Pedersen 2&1

In the last match, Pedersen won the first and third holes, but Thompson fought back, winning six holes to get to 4 up, before Pedersen won the 14th with a birdie to be 3 down.

Pedersen then won the 15th with a par after Thompson missed the hole, but 2 up with two to play, Thompson won her match 2&1 for the final score of 14-14.

Main image: LET

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