The total prize fund for the season will be €34 million, including a purse of $5 million at the Aramco Saudi Ladies International Presented by PIF, which will be played at Riyadh Golf Club for the first time.

“The 2024 schedule will give our talented athletes a platform to show their best,” said LET CEO Alexandra Armas. “Our tournaments will showcase star-studded fields and entertainment in 20 different countries and there will be significant global opportunities for our players to transcend a traditional golf audience. It’s an exciting time, with Olympic golf coming to Europe and another thrilling Solheim Cup on the horizon. We look forward to sharing the journey with our fans worldwide.”

The season will once again kick off with the Magical Kenya Ladies Open in February, before travelling to Saudi Arabia and then visiting Morocco for the Lalla Meryem Cup.

In March, the LET travels to the United States for the Aramco Team Series Presented by PIF – USA. Later in March, the prestigious Magenta Shores Golf and Country Club will host the New South Wales Open for the first time, followed by the Australian Women’s Classic at Bonville Golf Resort as part of a fortnight down under.

In April, the Tour will travel to South Africa for the Joburg Ladies Open and the Investec South African Women’s Open, which will be played at a new venue, Erinvale Country and Golf Estate, in Cape Town.

In May, the Aramco Team Series Presented by PIF – Seoul, will be played in the Republic of Korea, followed by the Amundi German Masters, the first tournament of the year in Europe.

The Jabra Ladies Open will once again be played at the renowned Evian Resort Golf Club in France.

In June, the LET will enjoy a fortnight in Sweden with the Dormy Open Helsingborg, being played at Allerum Golf Club for the second consecutive year and the Volvo Car Scandinavian Mixed, which will move to nearby Vasatorps Golf Club.

The LET will then play another soon-to-be announced event in Europe, followed by the Tipsport Czech Ladies Open, the VP Bank Swiss Ladies Open and the Aramco Team Series Presented by PIF – London.

The Amundi Evian Championship at Evian Resort Golf Club in France, where countrywoman Céline Boutier raised her first major trophy in 2023, is back in July, followed by the Dutch Ladies Open, powered by Golf.NL.

LET athletes will have the opportunity to compete for their home countries at the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games at Le Golf National in August via the Olympic Golf Rankings.

The Tour then continues to Scotland, the home of golf, for the Women’s Scottish Open and the AIG Women’s Open, to be played on the famed Old Course at St Andrews for the third time.

Next up, the O’Meara course at Carton House will be the new setting for the KPMG Women’s Irish Open.

Then, in September, a year on from the dramatic showdown between the United States and Europe in Spain, the Solheim Cup returns to the United States at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Gainesville, Va, where Team Europe will attempt to keep the trophy in European hands for the fourth time in a row.

The LET then returns to Golf Barrière Deauville for the Lacoste Ladies Open de France, followed by the Aramco Team Series Presented by PIF – Asia. After that, there is the Hero Women’s Indian Open and the Aramco Team Series Presented by PIF – Riyadh.

The season concludes with a fortnight in Spain, starting at the Mallorca Ladies Golf Open before rounding out the year at the Andalucía Costa del Sol Open de España for the fifth year in a row.

In total, 25 events will be televised, either via highlights packages or with a full live world feed in 2024.

Main Image: Supplied

The post Ladies European Tour unveils 2024 schedule spanning 31 events across 20 countries worldwide appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

The two-time Olympian had an impressive week where she improved round by round at Real Club de Golf Las Brisas.

After rounds of 69-68-68 on the first three days, Ashok carded an excellent bogey-free 66 on the final day to win with a total of 17-under-par.

“It started out slow, I was missing a lot of birdies for the first six to eight holes,” said Ashok. “I hit it close on seven, after that I felt like I still had a chance. Initially, it felt like I was two shots away the whole time. I’m glad it picked up on the back nine.

“It was a great battle. Anne [Van Dam], when she’s playing good, she can blow the field away and win by five to 10 shots. I knew I had to not stop making birdies and to keep trying.

“Her par when she hit the trees on 15 and my long putt, that switched the momentum a little bit. She is a great player and kept me honest out there.”

????? ??? ???? ?? ???????Í? ?@aditigolf wins the season ending Andalucía Costa del Sol Open de España ?#RaiseOurGame | #OpenDeEspaña pic.twitter.com/xQdWAMeZqy

— Ladies European Tour (@LETgolf) November 26, 2023

Ashok, who was in a tie for second place overnight, didn’t make her first birdie until the seventh but that kickstarted her momentum.

She added two more on the 10th and 13th but it was her three birdies on the trot on 15, 16 and 17 to seal her fifth LET title and her second of the season, after she also won the season-opening event in Kenya.

Ashok continued: “On the front nine I wasn’t hitting it as good, somewhere on the back on 13 when I hit that 8-iron close I feel I made a good swing and it just picked up from there. I made three or four good swings and all of those were in holeable range. I guess the 16th tee shot was the shot of the day.

“One 18, I have struggled with that tee shot and missed it right almost all four days. It was a weird lie in the rough, I didn’t know if it would go left on me, and it did. I was just trying to make sure I had a good look at par.”

Dutch star Anne Van Dam ended the week in second place on 15-under-par after a final round of 68 (-4).

Van Dam, who has won this tournament twice previously, went toe-to-toe with Ashok throughout the final round and had five birdies and one bogey on her scorecard.

“It was a tough day,” said the five-time LET winner. “I was in there all day and it was super close. Aditi just came out and played unbelievably and she definitely deserved to win this week.

“I’m very pleased with my season overall. I came close six times now, I just need to keep working hard and the wins are right around the corner.”

AVD applying the pressure with a stunning approach into the 18th ?#RaiseOurGame | #OpenDeEspaña pic.twitter.com/R0IlfLuRwu

— Ladies European Tour (@LETgolf) November 26, 2023

Spain’s Ana Peláez Trivino ended the week in third place after a final round of 68 (-4) which included five birdies and one bogey.

“It was a special week,” said the Malaga native. “I felt like I was ready to compete this week with more passion and calmness than ever. I think I did a really good job on that. Also, a really good week to go into LPGA Q-Series next week. I’m happy overall.

“There were lots of positives, I was very consistent. I’m very thankful for the all the learning experiences that I have had and I’m looking forward to next season.“

Sweden’s Linn Grant and Australia’s Kirsten Rudgeley finished in a tie for fourth place on 12-under-par in Spain with Belgium’s Manon De Roey in outright sixth.

Defending champion Caroline Hedwall, India’s Diksha Dagar, Norway’s Madelene Stavnar, France’s Celine Boutier and Spanish amateur Andrea Revuelta ended the week in a share of seventh place on 10-under-par.

In the 2023 Race to Costa del Sol, it was Trichat Cheenglab who came away with the trophy with a tally of 1,966.52 points ahead of Boutier and Dagar.

Cheenglab follows in the footsteps of compatriot Atthaya Thitikul and becomes the sixth player to win both the Race to Costa del Sol and Rookie of the Year titles in the same season.

For those who haven’t kept their cards this season it’s off to Q School in Morocco. Pre Qualifier of the Lalla Aicha Marrakech Q School is at Golf Club Rotana & Samanah Golf by Nicklaus & Noria Golf Club between the 10th – 12th December 2023. Followed by the Final Stage at Al Maaden Golf Marrakech & Royal Golf De Marrakech between the 16th – 20th December 2023.

Image: Ladies European Tour

The post India’s Aditi Ashok claims season ending Andalucía Costa del Sol Open de España on LET appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

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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It could have been even better for Alison as she went on another record-equalling eight-birdie streak from holes 15 to four (she started on 10) and was on for a 59, but had to ‘settle’ for three pars and a birdie for a course record and a bogey-free card.

Minjee was hot on her heels on the closing stretch but a bogey on 17 halted her own charge and she sits on nine-under.

Minjee Lee. LET/ATS

Behind that duo is a bunch on seven-under, including Czech Jana Melichova, Italy’s Virginia Elena Carta, Dane Nicole Broch Estrup, Kylie Henry of Scotland, Sweden’s Pernilla Lindberg, Wales’ Chloe Williams, last year’s runner-up Charley Hull of England and Spain’s Solheim Cup hero Carlota Ciganda.

It was not the best day for Chiara Noja, who defeated Hull in a playoff in Jeddah 12 months ago to lift the ATS title and her maiden crown at the age of 16. The Dubai-based German was faced with a tie for last spot until she conjured up some magic for eagle on 18 to sign for a three-over 75.

There were a lot of red numbers out there on Friday, with 62 out of 84 of the professionals scoring par or better.

In the team event, Team Ciganda lead the way at the halfway stage alongside Bronte Law’s quartet on an impressive 21-under, two strokes ahead of another logjam — Team Lisa Pettersson, Team Minjee Lee, Team Diksha Dagar, Team Anne van Dam and Team Nicole Broch Estrup.

How things stand after a breathless Day One ?‍?? #SeeTheImpact pic.twitter.com/Sfc60Dgfdu

— Aramco Team Series (@Aramco_Series) October 27, 2023

On her day of records, Alison, winner of the Aramco Team Series — Sotogrande Individual title in 2021, told the Ladies European Tour: “I honestly had no idea! Today was just one of those days that golf just felt really easy, like a dream round. I wish every day felt like this. I was telling my caddie: ‘Gosh golf is so easy.’ Obviously I don’t say that every day but it was one of those days.

“I just felt so confident out there. I was able to read the greens really well, pick a good target on my approach shot, I was able to hit my targets.

“Coming down the stretch I started to realise I’m on 59 watch here. But I missed a couple of good birdie chances coming down the stretch. Not too disappointed I had a great round today, overall I played really solid.

“I’m feeling really good about my game. We still have two days left but I feel like it’s a really nice golf course, it’s a fairly easy golf course, pretty easy to attack pins and make a lot of birdies.”

Minjee added: “I played really really solid. I made a ton of birdies and had four birdies in a row so that was really nice. I’ve been hitting it really solid and come into this week with a lot of confidence from last week. I had another really great day.

“I played one round with Alison last week and then obviously beat her in a playoff. She’s got such great talent and I’ve actually known her for quite a while. We rookied together [on the LPGA] in the same year. We’ve both been on Tour nine years and it’s always nice to have great competition. That’s what we play for.”

Over on the team side of things, Ciganda told the LET: “It’s been a fun day. We made a lot of birdies between the three of us. It was great fun to watch the great shots that they hit. As everyone knows, I love team events and yeah hopefully we can have a good day tomorrow and win this thing.”

Main image: Alison Lee. LET

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The Solheim Cup star fell agonisingly short of a fourth Ladies European Tour (LET) title last time out losing to the Dubai-based German teenager in a playoff at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club.

Back in Saudi Arabia one year on, Hull is eyeing another big week as she looks to go one better and finish the season strong.

“It’s definitely a motivation,” the World No 8 said when asked about last year’s result. “So 100 per cent it would be fantastic to get a win. As anyone will say, it’s important to finish the season strong. So it would be good to do that and then go even stronger next year.

“I’m really looking forward to it. I’ve never played here before and it was my first time seeing the full 18 holes today. It’s a different golf course so different memories, but let’s go make some new ones.”

Hull, winner of the 2021 Aramco Team Series — New York Individual title, returns to the LET for the first time this week since helping Team Europe retain the Solheim Cup.

Since then, the Englishwoman took some time out to recover from a neck injury before finishing T40 at The Ascendant LPGA benefitting Volunteers of America — the site of her last career victory in 2022.

On the injury, Hull said: “My neck is now much better. I still feel like my swing is a little out of it, because before I was swinging to protect which got me into a bad habit. So I’m going to spend some time at the range today and straighten things out. Hopefully it will be good for the week ahead.”

Off the course, Hull is boosted this week by having her boyfriend with her in Saudi Arabia as well as best friend Georgia Hall, who is also returning to LET action for the first time since the Solheim Cup.

“It’s nice to have some home comforts,” the 27-year-old said. “I like visiting here. Me and my boyfriend went to downtown Riyadh last night, we hired a car so it’s been really good so far.”

In this week’s Team competition, Hull will once again play with Isabella Deilert after picking the Swede in the Draft on Wednesday. The duo are joined by France’s Emma Grechi.

Elsewhere, it was announced this week that Hull will be teeing up alongside fellow English star Justin Rose at the inaugural Grant Thornton Invitational in December month — a new mixed team event co-sanctioned by the LPGA and PGA Tour.

“I only found out yesterday but I’m really excited for that,” Hull said. “It should be a lot of fun and it’s really cool what they’re doing there.”

Main image: Charley Hull. LET

By LET

The post Charley Hull looking to make more Aramco Team Series memories appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

Now she is in Saudi Arabia after receiving an invite to compete in the Aramco Team Series finale at Riyadh Golf Course as the youngest amateur at the first ever professional golf event in the Kingdom’s capital.

Golf Digest Middle East caught up with Maya, her father Stephen, and coach (and caddie this week) Yasin Ali, the head professional instructor at JA Resort and Golf in Dubai, following some practice holes with Minjee Lee and as they awaited to hear the draw on Wednesday evening and discover which team the 13-year-old will be playing for Friday and Saturday.

May with Minjee Lee. Supplied

“Augusta was amazing, and we got to hang around to watch the players play the Masters on the weekend,” she said. “Following that, we headed back up north to practise in cooler weather and kind of try to stay locally and compete in a few events around New England so I could stay in a community. It accumulated when I won the New England PGA Player of the Year award.

“I was moved up from the 13-and-under group as we decided it was the best way to go and gain experience.”

“Yes, these were proper events, minimum of 36 holes, multiple days, no caddies and no spectators,” added Stephen. “I had to wait at the clubhouse as we were not allowed out on course. So she was literally on her own out there.”

Despite a whirlwind year, Maya’s career is still in its very early stages, and she has to concentrate on school studies, too.

“I started two years ago in seventh grade with the US Performance Academy, which is basically an online school, which is great to help balance my school and golf,” she explained. “You pretty much roll out of bed, go to the computer and you are at school, then afterwards I go to the golf course or range. It gives me more time and more leeway. If, say, I had a tournament in the middle of the week, I wouldn’t do any school during the event, but I would do more before and after to keep up. Just like I am doing this week in Riyadh.”

Dad adds: “The USPA virtual school system is something we wouldn’t have even considered until Covid came around. But it has been around for a lot longer than that, and was set up by a bunch of Olympic athletes, to help others who maybe have to go to Switzerland for skiing or Australia for sailing. So it is great for young kids who want to pursue their athletic ability but also combine it with their schooling.”

Covid did bring other issues, however, and the family kitted out one of the rooms with a hitting net, cage to keep the windows safe, and a SkyTrack system.

“We jerry-rigged all this ourselves and attached a monitor so it was like playing on the course when we were stuck at home,” explained Stephen.

Coach Yasin has been a vital cog in Maya’s development, both online and in person when they get the chance to meet up, like in Riyadh this week.

“It is great doing virtual work with Coach, but it is always better to meet in person, so he can help me with my swing,” Maya said. “He is also a great caddie so I am thrilled he will be with me out on the course this week. He really helps out with the technical stuff in his head, then tells me the club and shot. It helps keep me calm, and when I am calm, I play much better.”

Stephen added: “I have played a lot of sports over the years, and I have never seen as great a coach as he is on a one-to-one basis. You see it in his personality — very warm, friendly, he knows when to push and when to back off.”

When the draft was finally made on Wednesday evening, Maya learnt her playing partners — captain Pauline Roussin, the French star who claimed the ATS Singapore Individual title. They will be joined by Linnea Johansson and Marta Sanz Barrio for the Friday and Saturday team competition before the final day of individual competition on Sunday.

“It is exciting to now know who my captain will be and I can’t wait to get out on the course with my team,” Maya concluded.

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Leading fellow rookie Sara Kjellker by two shots before the start of play, the German fired a third consecutive round of 68 (four-under) at DLF Golf & Country Club to complete victory and become the latest member of the LET winner’s circle.

“I feel amazing,” Krauter said, who is the second German to win the event after Olivia Cowan’s last year. “It feels hard to put into words and I don’t think I can quite grasp what just happened. But looking down the 18th it’s such a special place. Hopefully I’ll be back next year to defend my title. It’s been such a great week.”

Playing alongside Kjellker in the final group, it looked like we had a shootout on our hands early on as the two rookies birdied the opening hole before Krauter dropped a shot on the second to see her lead slip to one.

With England’s Hannah Burke making a charge elsewhere, Krauter bounced back with a birdie on the par-3 third before giving another shot back on the fourth.

But just as she had done all week, the 23-year-old found another gear, firing three birdies in a row on the seventh, eighth and ninth to storm into a five-shot lead with Kjellker dropping two shots before the turn.

“It was definitely difficult,” Krauter said. “I made a few more putts today and my ball striking all week has been really solid. That really helped me around this golf course.”

Krauter would add two birdies to her card on the 14th and 16th, with a par on the signature 17th giving the rookie a six-shot cushion heading down the last.

Despite three-putting the final hole, a bogey sealed Krauter’s five-shot victory as she was met with a water shower from fellow Germans Leonie Harm, Polly Mack, Helen Tamy Kreuzer, and close friend Celine Herbin.

“My confidence is boosted now for sure,” Krauter said, who had a prolific amateur career winning The Women’s Amateur Championship in 2020. “Just knowing that I can compete and that I belong is great. Having that confirmed this week is amazing.

“I just started working with a mental this week and I think it’s paid off, so thank you to her.”

With the maiden win, Krauter, who has predominately played on the LPGA this season, secures her LET status for 2024 and 2025 and jumps to 38th in the Race to Costa del Sol.

“It means the world to me,” the 23-year-old said, who also had to deal with having her driver shaft cracked on the flight over to India. “If someone would have told me that I was going to win this week and have my LET card for sure next year, and wouldn’t have had to go back to Q-School, I wouldn’t have believed them.

“I’m so excited to play on the LET next year!”

In solo second finished Kjellker on 10-under par who secures a spot at next week’s Aramco Team Series – Riyadh event.

Home favourite Diksha Dagar ended the week in third on eight-under par after carding a round of 70 on Sunday.

Burke finished solo fourth to all but secure her LET status for 2024 (the Englishwoman jumps to 60th in the Race to Costa del Sol).

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The left-handed star is enjoying her best season to date on the Ladies European Tour, racking up six top-10 finishes and sealing one victory at the Czech Ladies Open — her second win on the circuit in five years.

Climbing to fourth in the Race to Costa del Sol in the process while also landing the accolade for the best ever showing by an Indian at a major — Dagar finished T21 at this year’s AIG Women’s Open — the confidence is justifiable for the 22-year-old as she aims to become her nation’s second winner of the event on home soil.

“It would be a very proud moment to win the Hero Women’s Indian Open,” said Dagar, who would follow in Aditi Ashok’s footsteps from 2016 with a victory this week. “I’m feeling good, this season has been great so far, clearly, my best in five years playing on the LET. This year has pushed my confidence and I’m feeling confident that I will do well. I will do my best.”

The two-time LET winner is one of 32 Indian players teeing up at DLF Golf & Country Club this week, but it’s not just her fine form which makes Dagar the home favourite heading into the 15th staging of the event.

“DLF is like my second home golf course,” Dagar explains, who lives just 30 minutes from the facility on the outskirts of New Delhi. “The greens and the facilities are very good. It is a very tough golf course but it gives you very good preparation for the international events.

“It’s been very nice to be home after playing a lot of golf internationally. Being here at home is a lot different, it’s a bit easier and you have more crowds supporting you. It feels really good.

“My family will be here. I’ll be honest, golf is growing a lot more in India so a lot of them will be coming to watch.

The Indian Open will forever be the tournament which first put Dagar on the map after the Deaflympics star won the low amateur award on her LET debut in 2016, aged just 15-years-old.

“It was a good thing,” Dagar said. “At that time I used to think it was a very big event and I knew it was a very big opportunity. I am grateful to my family and the people that have supported me through the journey. Now when I play here on the Ladies European Tour in India, I get flashbacks and very good feelings.”

As for the Race to Costa del Sol, Dagar, currently in fourth position on 1,484.61 points, can leapfrog Celine Boutier who sits in first should she finish solo second or better in New Delhi.

But while the prize is now a reality for the Indian sensation with four events remaining in the 2023 schedule, Dagar is continuing to stay grounded as we approach the crunch end of proceedings.

“I’m not thinking too much about that,” she said. “Yes, I’m hoping to do well and I am trying my best, but I am just going to keep playing my game and do the best that I can.

“My secret has been that I have been focusing on my game and working on it a lot more. I have been putting myself in winning positions and the secret is just believing in myself more.”

Dagar gets her 2023 Hero Women’s Indian Open campaign under way at 11.25am local time on Thursday playing alongside fellow LET winners Nuria Iturrioz from Spain and Manon De Roey from Belgium.

Diksha Dagar. LET

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