You can catch up will all our coverage by visiting the website HERE, or alternatively scroll through the ISSUU links below — from Jason Kokrak and Cam Smith to the Aramco Team Series — or download to your favourite device for later.

Issue No.1 – January 2022

Issue No.2 – April 2022

Issue No.3 – August 2022

Issue No.4 – October 2022

Issue No.5 – January 2023

Issue No.6 – April 2023

Issue No.7 – August 2023

Issue No.8 – October 2023

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Australia’s Minjee Lee comes into the event on the back of impressive wins in Ohio and South Korea on the LPGA Tour in the past month.

She will line up in a field that includes world No. 1 and two-time 2023 major winner Lilia Vu and Solheim Cup hero Carlota Ciganda.

There is another golfer in the field that — despite her young age of 17 — the best players will be wary of, as Dubai-based star Chiara Noja returns to Saudi Arabia to defend the title she won in Jeddah 12 months ago.

Minjee Lee. LET

Lee is not one to back away from a challenge however.

“I had a little bit of a slow start to the beginning of the year,” she told media at Riyadh Golf Club on Thursday afternoon. “But I have had two wins in the last three starts, so I’m feeling pretty good with my game. I got a lot of confidence from the first swing and obviously coming off BMW [Korea] last week. I feel pretty good to be here.

“I played the back nine yesterday. I’ve actually been here before, but I don’t really remember a lot of the holes. I was here a couple years ago, so maybe it’s very different, but a few of the holes I kind of remembered. But the course is in great condition. And I think the wind is a lot of its defence. So hopefully the wind is blowing and we have a good challenge ahead of us.”

One year on from that epic playoff against her childhood idol, Charley Hull, Noja is also on a high with fond memories of her victory in Saudi last year at the age of 16, and is fighting fit again after a recent shoulder problem.

“It’s been a good season, obviously shame with the injury last few weeks,” Noja said. “It’s really nice to be back, obviously a good opportunity to try to kind of reminisce. It is a little bit different a golf course this week but it’s really beautiful. I’m looking forward to defending.

“Obviously, Royal Greens is right by the sea. So the winds kind of always pretty steady direction. I feel like you kind of know which way it’s gonna blow, whereas I feel like both times I’ve played Riyadh it’s kind of blown a little differently. But golf-wise, it’s a similar layout. You know, it kind of plays similarly. So it should be a good week.”

Once again, Noja is balancing her studies and golf career as she is finishing off her GCSEs, and had to make a sprint for Saudi after her latest test.

“Yeah, I had my exam yesterday,” she said. “So it’s been a busy few days. I had biology. And then when I get back, it’s chemistry. I flew out last month to play two rounds here. So I kind of got a little bit of a feel for the course. Obviously, it’s a little different. When I was here, the 10th tee was somewhere completely different. But that’s the Middle East for you. They get things done very quickly.

Reflecting on her rise since turning professional at the age of 15, Noja was smiling again. “I mean, I was definitely dreaming,” she said. “I didn’t think it was gonna be reality. I mean, it’s really cool being able to sit next to these people [press conference partners Lee, Ciganda and Vu]. So I’m really looking forward to playing this week and having a strong field and obviously, yeah, it’s these tournaments usually have strong field. So it’s really great to sort of be able to compete against the best in the world.”

Back to Lee, and she got to see another UAE-prospect up close during practice on Wednesday — 13-year-old Maya Palanza Gaudin, who is competing as an amateur and the youngest player in the field this week.

“I got to play with her the last three holes that I played,” Lee said of her young (13!!) playing partner. “I also played with Pia [Babnik] and Virginia [Elena Carta]. Maya was actually really good. I had only heard a few things about her. She has a really great story and she won the [Augusta] Drive, Chip & Putt. She was driving pretty, like really quite long. She did it really straight, and chipped it amazing. And she I think she parred all three holes. So she’s just gonna do pretty well this week.”

High praise indeed from the two-time major winner…

Main image: Chiara Noja. Neville Hopwood

The post Minjee and Chiara aim for the top (again) in Riyadh appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

Staged at Riyadh Golf Club for the first time, 84 players from 24 nations will tee up vying for their share of $1,000,000 in both the Team and Individual competitions.

Before play gets under way in Saudi Arabia, here are some takes to get you up to speed…

Carlota Ciganda. Angel Martinez

Solheim stars set for action

One month on from their historic retention of the Solheim Cup in Spain, four stars from Suzann Pettersen’s arsenal are in town looking to add further success to their 2023 seasons.

Still on a high after earning the all-important point for Team Europe at Finca Cortesin, Carlota Ciganda will be in action aiming for a second Aramco Team Series title following her Florida triumph in May.

Joining the Spanish heroine are the English duo of Charley Hull and Georgia Hall — the latter chasing more silverware in the Kingdom after winning the Aramco Saudi Ladies International in 2022.

Completing the European line-up is Sweden’s Caroline Hedwall, while major winner Lilia Vu adds further Solheim star power to the field teeing up for the second Aramco Team Series event in a row.

Minjee Lee. Dylan Buell

Lee hot in form

Another world-class player competing this week is Australia’s Minjee Lee. The two-time major winner arrives in Riyadh in incredible form having just claimed her 10th LPGA title at the BMW Ladies Championship.

The world No. 7 has prior ATS experience finishing 11th in London two years ago and returns for tournament two at no better time after defeating Alison Lee in a playoff last week.

Talking of her namesake, the American Lee is also teeing up this week and will be hoping to go one better after falling agonisingly short in South Korea.

A regular feature in the Aramco Team Series, Lee has featured in six events winning the Sotogrande Individual title in 2021.

Battle on the bubble

With just three events left of the season, this week is a crucial one for many stars trying to play their way into the last two tournaments of 2023 and affirm their full LET card for next year.

Both the Mallorca Ladies Open and Andalucía Costa del Sol Open De España involve the top 64 in the Race to Costa del Sol (as well as eight invites), with the top-70 in the standings earning Category 4 status for 2024.

This means those competing in Riyadh who are currently outside the bubble face a potentially make-or-break week if they are to compete in Spain next month and cement their full status.

Those in question facing big battles include Leonie Harm (70th), Laura Beveridge (72nd), Sanna Nuutinen (74th), Elin Arvidsson (77th), Linnea Johansson (78th), Maggie Simmermacher (79th), Marianne Skarpnord (92nd), Michele Thomson (101st) and Becky Brewerton (117th).

Dagar on the brink

As the Race to Costa del Sol heats up, it looks like this could be the week France’s Celine Boutier finally gets knocked off top spot with India’s Diksha Dagar on the brink of moving into the highly sought-after position.

Fresh off a third-place finish on home soil at the Hero Women’s Indian Open, the left-hander has now leapfrogged Sweden’s Johanna Gustavsson and sits just 78.27 points off the major winner who is absent this week.

A ninth-place finish or better would do the job for Dagar in Riyadh, while Gustavsson can also jump into top spot if Dagar fails to do so and she finishes inside the top three.

Chiara Noja. Image supplied

Teenage kicks

It was one year ago that German teenager Chiara Noja announced herself to the golfing world defeating her hero Charley Hull in a playoff to win the Aramco Team Series — Jeddah Individual event.

Now back in Saudi Arabia 12 months on, and having recently returned to action after an injury spell, the 17-year-old will no doubt be feeling nostalgic as she aims to put on a performance in the tournament where she claimed a historic maiden LET title.

Unique format

Once again the format is the same as other ATS events with the Individual and Team competitions being played simultaneously. The Team competition will be played over 36-holes over the first two days with the best two scores counting, while the Individual is a 54-hole stroke play competition with the last round just having the top-60 professionals and ties competing.

There are 84 professionals teeing it up this week and there will be 28 teams contending for the top prize. Each team will consist of three professionals and one amateur.

Main image: Warren Little/Getty Images

Story by LET

The post Aramco Team Series — Riyadh: All you need to know appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

Now 17-year-old Chiara Noja is heading back to Saudi Arabia to defend her crown — this time at Riyadh Golf Club in the capital — in very different circumstances. 

An LPGA bow, major debuts, injuries — and, yes, school studies — have all added to an eventful, jet-setting 12 months for the young German. Golf Digest Middle East caught up with her ahead of her title defence. 

“It’s crazy to think it has been a year already,” Chiara tells us fresh from a few days of preparation at Plantation Golf & Country Club in Florida ahead of her tilt at LPGA Q-School this month. “Obviously this is going to be a cool experience for me as defending champ and an opportunity to reminisce on those great memories. It’s going to be a new course so it’ll be exciting seeing the tournament take shape somewhere new.”

Noja is now well-practised in balancing studies and life on tour, but as she is sitting her GCSEs, fitting in time to get to know the Riyadh layout is trickier than ever.

“I’m going to be flying out later this week to play my practice rounds as I won’t have much time prior due to exams,” she tells us near the end of September. “I guess I will have a little more insight then, but I have heard lots of positive things about it so I’m excited to head over.”

Noja played through the pain barrier with a shoulder problem at her first two majors and missed the cut at both the Amundi Evian Championship and AIG Women’s Open, but she is glad she got to experience the ‘big-time’ first hand. 

“It was a super cool experience having earned my way into those events, but it obviously was a tough few weeks for me,” she says. “I struggled with injury, and I guess it’s a difficult conversation to have — I knew I was not in a great place but made the choice to try and play regardless. If given the chance would I go back and change that decision? No. Do I think it was a great decision? Maybe not.”

Following the Women’s Open, Noja took some well-earned time off to recuperate ahead of the Q-School and Aramco Team Series stretch this month.

“Yeah, I think it was necessary that I focus on getting better after basically playing in pain for six weeks,” she says. “It was important for me to get healthy before going back out on tour, and I’m glad to be 99 per cent there and use the next few weeks to prep before ATS Hong Kong [October 6-8].

“I flew out to Florida to play practice rounds ahead of the LPGA Q-School as the schedule is very tight in October, so it’s good to be able to spend the next few weeks practising skills I may need to cater for those courses. Then it is going to be an exciting week in Saudi.”

The Golf Saudi Ambassador is a champion of bringing the game of golf to new audiences, and is keen to meet aspiring golfers in the Saudi capital. “I think it’s super exciting, obviously with Riyadh there will be a new, and wider, audience that we can cater to and hopefully continue to grow the game of golf in Saudi.

“The ATS events have really solidified themselves within the golfing calendar and that has been awesome to see. The events have grown both geographically, with events expanding and taking place all over the world, and in popularity. The initiatives taken to grow the game are great, and I have been lucky to be able to partake in clinics along the way, and have a first row seat to seeing both kids and adults join us in our love for the game of golf.”

Main image: supplied

The post Dubai teen Noja heading back to Saudi following her maiden triumph last year appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

We also reflect on a successful first year for Viya Golf in Abu Dhabi with Cluster Club Manager Julian Danby, get to grips with the new TaylorMade wedges with Robbie Greenfield and look ahead to the third edition of the Golf Digest Middle East Oktoberfest at The Els Club in Dubai.

All this and much, much more in the October 2023 edition of Golf Digest Middle East available in both English and Arabic.

The issue is again free to our loyal audience. You can scroll through the ISSUU link provided here or download to your favourite device for later. Alternatively, pick up a copy at your favourite club. Whatever option you take, we hope you enjoy the read.

See below for the eighth issue of the Arabic edition of Golf Digest Middle East.

If you want to look back at all our previous Arabic editions of Golf Digest Middle East, click here.

The post Get the October 2023 edition of Golf Digest Middle East FREE here in both English and Arabic today! appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

The 17-year-old was in stunning form in the first half of the season, having won the Aramco Team Series individual event in Jeddah for her first pro victory, rising from outside the top 130 on the Rolex Women’s World Rankings to 91st.

However, she missed her last three cuts at the Evian Championship, Scottish Open and most recently at the AIG Women’s Open at Walton Heath.

The German youngster withdrew during the first round of the ISPS Handa World Invitational in Northern Ireland this week, before admitting a shoulder issue had been giving her problems.

Update: I’ve been dealing with an annoying shoulder last 5 weeks, and have probably done a bad job managing that pain. I’ve worked so hard to get to/qualify for these last 4 events (icl 2 majors) that I refused to let myself accept that I just wasn’t doing great and withdraw.… pic.twitter.com/f6sD0ib0Eh

— Chiara Noja (@thechiaranoja) August 18, 2023

“I’ve been dealing with an annoying shoulder last 5 weeks, and have probably done a bad job managing that pain,” she tweeted. “I’ve worked so hard to get to/qualify for these last 4 events (icl 2 majors) that I refused to let myself accept that I just wasn’t doing great and withdraw. I’ve decided to take a few weeks off and get back to 100% before going back @LPGA Q-School. I’ll be back healthier, happier and better.”

Since her win in Jeddah, Noja has collected eight top-12 finishes, including one T-2d and one third place. She also made her LPGA debut and competed in her first two majors.

The post Dubai’s Chiara Noja to take a break to recover from shoulder injury before LPGA Q-School appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

All this and much, much more in the August 2023 edition of Golf Digest Middle East available in both English and Arabic.

The issue is again free to our loyal audience. You can scroll through the ISSUU link provided here or download to your favourite device for later. Alternatively, pick up a copy at your favourite club. Whatever option you take, we hope you enjoy the read.

See below for the seventh issue of the Arabic edition of Golf Digest Middle East.

If you want to look back at all our previous Arabic editions of Golf Digest Middle East, click here.

The post Get the August 2023 edition of Golf Digest Middle East FREE here in both English and Arabic today! appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

Eight months ago, a young schoolgirl from Dubai achieved a remarkable feat by claiming a Ladies European  Tour crown at the age of 16. Some eight months later, Chiara Noja finds herself as one of the hottest prospects in golf as one of the most consistent and longest drivers on tour.

She is showing no signs of slowing down with her following results after defeating Charley Hull in a dramatic playoff in the Aramco Team Series — Jeddah Individual Tournament at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club reading: T11, T12, 3, T11, T38, T2.

The now-17 German’s whirlwind rise to the top reached new heights last month as she made her LPGA debut at the ShopRite Classic on a sponsor’s invite — and finished in no less than 12th spot in a field that featured the cream of the game including Anna Nordqvist, Brooke Henderson, Georgia Hall, Aditi Ashok, Paula Creamer, Stacy Lewis, Ayaka Furue, Atthaya Thitikul and eventual winner Ashleigh Buhai.

No mean feat!

Noja climbed into the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings Top 100 (No. 91) as a result of her performances and was sitting fifth in the Ladies European Tour season-long Race to Costa del Sol standings. 

Following another solid showing at Stockton Seaview Hotel and Golf Club in New Jersey on her LPGA bow, Noja took time out of her hectic schedule (while on a six-hour layover in Portugal) to speak to Golf Digest Middle East about her journey since that memorable day at King Abdullah Economic City in Saudi Arabia.

● ● ●

It has been quite a trip since your victory in Jeddah, can you take us through the experience to date?

It’s been both an incredibly hectic few months as well as especially rewarding. I’ve travelled a lot, and managed to play some great golf in the midst of everything which is always nice. 

I have had lots of firsts, with my 62 in South Africa [Investec SA Women’s Open, where she finished third at Steenberg Golf Club in Cape Town] and now my first start on the LPGA, which have all been amazing experiences coming off the back of the win in Jeddah. 

● ● ●

You have maintained your strong end to 2022 into the LET 2023 season, how has it been for you? 

I’ve been playing well and working hard so it’s nice to see some of that work deep through into results. 

● ● ●

And you are looking good on the Costa Del Sol standings. What are your goals for the Race?

I think I’m still approaching every event individually but it’s great seeing that my performances are mirrored on the rankings and I’m excited to see how things develop by the end of the season.  

● ● ●

You have been juggling your GCSEs along with your career, how were the exams and when are the results in? 

I have been given amazing support by my school that has allowed me to sit my exams in October and November and then January next year. Thankfully I have not had to sit my exams yet! 

● ● ●

And, of course, you just made your LPGA debut at the Shoprite, how did it compare to your previous experiences in the States? 

Obviously, it is a little different than playing on the Ladies European Tour. I’m super grateful to have been given the opportunity and I’m glad I could capitalise on it. 

I had amazing support in the crowds throughout the week and it was a super heart-warming and special week for me. 

● ● ●

You certainly have been getting the air miles in. How are you coping with all the travel?

I think travel comes in a package deal with your life and I’m super grateful to be able to do what I do and travelling is another bonus to an amazing schedule of countries. 

● ● ●

Finally, what’s up next in your hectic schedule?

I will be getting home to Dubai for a week, and will then take a rest, re-evaluate and plan the rest of my season.

The post Dubai teen Noja on a whirlwind time following dramatic victory in Saudi Arabia appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

Dubai-based teen sensation Chiara Noja just missed out on her second Ladies European Tour title as she finished tied for second spot behind Patricia Isabel Schmidt at the Belgian Open on Sunday.

Schmidt stumbled out of the blocks on Sunday with two early bogeys but four consecutive birdies on holes six through nine put her a couple of shots off the lead and she was soon co-leader after back-to-back birdies on 12 and 13.

But it was her superb eagle on 14 which put the 27-year-old in pole position on 11-under, which was enough to seal her first title on the LET.

“I don’t really have any words to say right now! I was just so nervous on the last tee,” said the rookie, who earned her LET card through the LET Access Series last year. “I really felt like I was shaking when I had to line my putt.

“I wasn’t aware of my position at all. I saw the leaderboard out there once, but I didn’t see it clearly enough. I just saw the colours of a flag and thought it looked like a Spanish flag. The eagle on 14 was nice. I hit a really good drive and then only had an eight-iron in.

“My dad was caddieing today. He was joining me for the first time ever since I started playing golf, because I was flying to Brussels and my dad had a week off, so he picked me up and took my bag with me. I guess it all kind of worked out.

“This win will give me a lot of trust and confidence. I came from LETAS last year and played quite well. Then I struggled at the beginning of this year and put myself under a lot of pressure, so I knew okay, I need to show that I belong here instead of just playing. This will help a lot to give me that confidence.”

T2 ?? Solid week! Played good, but the putter let me down on the front 9 today. Until next time Belgium @LETgolf at Belgian Ladies Open pic.twitter.com/8lXD0tcZkl

— Chiara Noja (@thechiaranoja) May 28, 2023

It was a good final day for Aramco Team Series Jeddah winner Noja, who produced a round of 68 with six birdies and two bogeys to move up the leaderboard.

“I explored a lot of the golf course,” said the 17-year-old. “I putted pretty decently all week. I think it was a pretty decent week, obviously not my A-game a lot of the time but I scrambled pretty nicely around the course, and I put together a good week.

“It was not meant to be today but Patricia played amazing golf and she really deserved that today. I wish I had holed that birdie putt on 18 though for outright second — that hurt.

“I seem to have a little thing about finishing second in Belgium. It’s my third year in a row, not at this tournament but I have done it twice on LET Access Series, so this has added to it. I’m looking forward to going into the next week.”

The post Dubai’s Chiara Noja just misses out as Schmidt claims first title at Belgian Open appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

Dubai’s Chiara Noja withdrew from the Jabra Ladies Open ahead of her first-round tee-off at Evian Resort Golf Club on Thursday through illness.

As the LET  returned from a seven-week hiatus, German teenager Noja — who won the Aramco Team Series in Jeddah last November — took the choice to withdraw from the event in France.

“Unfortunately my week at Evian has come to an end,” she wrote on Twitter. “I am really sorry to have withdrawn but I am genuinely not going to be able to tee it up today. Playing with my body in this state would put me at risk of injury, so after talking to my team, we’ve decided that this is the right call. I am beyond bummed. I hope to be back next week in Florida healthier and stronger.”

Following Jabra, where Finland’s Tiia Koivisto is looking to defend her title, the LET moves to Miami for the latest stage of the Aramco Team Series from May 19-21.

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