The German progressed to the semi-finals in the innovative event that saw the top 32 players after two days of strokeplay move into a matchplay format. Noja eventually went down to Netherlands’ Lauren Holmey 2&1. Amateur Holmey then lost the final to another German, Patricia Isabel Schmidt 4&2.

The champion said: “I think it will take some time to realise I have won but it feels great. I played some solid golf the last couple of days. I was happy to play with Lauren, we are good friends, and I was looking forward to the final match with her. I was hitting it solid off the tee, giving myself good positions into the green, and made some good putts.”

With New Zealand’s Momoka Kobori losing in the quarter-finals, there has been a change near the top of the LETAS rankings as Noja nears the title.

Schmidt moves up one spot to second place with 1,678.21 points, with Noja remains in first with 1,939.65 points.

Holmey moves to third with 1,461.30 points while Kobori is in fourth with 1,446.50 points.

The LETAS schedule takes a week off and comes back to Sweden with the Goteborg Open from 24–26 August at Kungsbacka Golfklubb.

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The post Dubai teen Chiara Noja keeps up solid form on LETAS with Swedish Championship semi-final spot appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

The German battled against some nasty weather and is now on 1,494.25 points, ahead of New Zealand’s Momoka Kobori (1,332.75 points), Dutch amateur Lauren Holmey (822.50 points), England’s Gemma Clews (821.75 points), Sweden’s Anna Magnusson (790.88 points), and Australia’s Kristalle Blum (781.75). These players are now all within reach of the elite six places that will secure a full LET card for the 2023 season.

“That was less than serene weather,” Noja said. “More of a grind in the wind than I anticipated. Thank you to all who came to support this week, and to the organisers, volunteers for such a great event.”

Thailand’s Chanettee Wannasaen carded a final round of level-par 73 to win the event at Ramside Hall Golf Club by three shots on 11-under from compatriot Arpichaya Yubol, who carded the round of the day of five-under. Noja was third on three-under.

“It means a lot to win in Europe and I am very happy with my game. I felt really confident today and I knew I could make it,” said Wannasaen.

The LET Access Series will continue with the Trust Golf Links Series at The Musselburgh Golf Club from July 14–16.

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The post Dubai’s Chiara Noja retakes lead in LET Access Series Order of Merit with third place in Trust Golf Links Series appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

The 23-year-old Kiwi sensation, who arrived in Europe only four weeks ago, started the final day one shot ahead and quickly turned that into a two-shot advantage with a birdie on the first hole.

WATCH: Highlights from the Amundi German Masters

Kobori’s only dropped shot of the round came on the par-five seventh as she made the turn in 36 and she then rolled in three birdies on the back nine including on the last hole to card a round of 70 and finish on eight-under-par.

“It definitely helped to start off with a birdie and get myself going. Surprisingly I felt pretty relaxed today, and I had a great day playing with Hannah [McCook] and Lauren [Holmey],” said Kobori.

“Coming down the last hole I was feeling really excited about what I have been able to do this week, putting together three rounds of golf under par.

“I am very glad I was able to do it back in France again. I’d definitely be happy to come back in the near future.”

The New Zealander has had a fabulous ride in the past four weeks in Europe, adding T7 and T2 finishes to her two triumphs.

https://golfdigestme.com/wp-admin/admin.php?page=parone-video-page

Even though LETAS and the men’s Alps Tour held two separate events on the same golf course with pars 73 and 71, respectively, Kobori enjoyed playing alongside the men’s field this week.

She added: “We are so used to playing in just a field of us women but for me coming from New Zealand, we have a lot of mixed events as well. It’s a lot of fun to mix it up from time to time.

“It was also awesome to see many people out there watching us and the guys, a lot of kids came which is truly amazing.”

Tied for second place on four-under-par was Dutch amateur Lauren Holmey alongside Spain’s Noemi Jimenez Martin, who fired the round of the tournament a seven-under 66 on day three.

Scotland’s Hannah McCook and local amateur Lilas Pinthier finished in a share of fourth place on two-under-par with the Frenchwoman carding a final round of 70 (-3).

Two shots back and rounding out the top 10 in a tie for sixth place were Norway’s Dorthea Forbrigd, France’s Yvie Chaucheprat, Finland’s Niina Liias and German duo Noja and Patricia Isabel Schmidt.

In the men’s tournament, where the course was set up as par 71, Dutch golfer Davey Porsius shot a final round of one-under 70 to triumph by one shot with a total of four-under-par.

In the LETAS Order of Merit, Kobori now leads the standings after securing her second victory and she has 1,313.75 points having played four events.

Germany’s Noja is in second place with 1,264.25 points with Holmey in third (822.50), Clews in fourth (780.75), Kristalle Blum in fifth (740.75) and Anna Magnusson in sixth (730.21).

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The post Another top 10 for Dubai’s teen star Chiara Noja as Kobori wins in France appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

Kobori heads into the final round on five-under in the co-sanctioned tournament, which sees two separate fields, leaderboards, trophies and purses as LETAS and the men’s Alps Tour both compete at the Aa Saint-Omer Golf Club in the north of France.

Kobori will take her slender lead into the final round, one ahead of Scotland’s Hannah McCook. The Scot, who finished runner-up after Kobori in Montauban last time out, and is in contention once again.

In third place is amateur Lauren Holmey from the Netherlands, while Noja sits T4 alongside Spain’s Clara Moyano Reigosa and Patricia Isabel Schmidt, England’s Ellie Gower, Italy’s Clara Manzalini, and Dutch player Nikki Hofstede.

“The first two birdies helped a lot as it takes the stress off, especially when the conditions are getting tougher. So those were really nice to get a lot of early on,” admitted the 23-year-old Kobori.

“I’m happy with how I played today in the wind. It was definitely tougher today; I wasn’t expecting it to be that windy in the morning. You just have to adjust more to the wind so today was more of a challenge for me.”

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The post Kiwi Kobori leads Dubai’s Chiara Noja at French mixed event on Ladies European Tour Access Series appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

By Matt Smith
Dubai-based 16-year-old Chiara Noja showed once again why she is one of the hottest prospects for the future of women’s golf as she bounced back from a rib injury that forced her to miss the Aramco Team Series — London to finish T2 in Belgium and stretch her lead in the Ladies European Tour Access Series Order of Merit

Australia’s Kristalle Blum recorded her first victory on the series at the Golf Vlaanderen LETAS Trophy, one ahead of Noja, local star Sophie Bert and France’s Yvie Chaucheprat and Momoka Kobori from New Zealand.

The 24-year-old Blum held on to the one-shot lead at the start of the day having carded rounds of 69 and 67 on the first two days.

Although Blum dropped a few shots during the round, she signed for a three-over 75 to keep her single-shot lead in front of the chasing pack.

“I was very nervous the last few holes and just tried to focus on my breathing,” she said. “I had no idea where I sat on the leaderboard, so I just had to keep doing my thing and I’m glad it was enough.”

It was particularly special for Blum as she has had her brother Nick on the bag for the last three LETAS events, where she has had two top-10 finishes and a victory.

T2nd this week in ?? @LETAccess @golfvlaanderen LETAS Trophy. Disappointing making a double on 17th and coming short by one shot but that’s golf? Thank you @RBGF1912 @millenniumgolf for the class event.. ?France pic.twitter.com/kYEi18gFKC

— Chiara Noja (@thechiaranoja) June 25, 2022

With her runner-up finish, Germany’s Noja continues to dominate the LETAS Order of Merit standings with 1,171.25 points while New Zealand’s Kobori moves to the second spot with 813.75 points.

After her first win and three additional top-10 finishes this season, Kristalle Blum moves to fourth place with 740.75 points.

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The post Dubai teen star Chiara Noja just misses out in Belgium — continues to dominate Ladies European Tour Access Series Order of Merit appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

By Matt Smith
Dubai teen golfing sensation Chira Noja has had to withdraw from further events after missing last week’s Ladies European Tour Aramco Team Series — England with a rib injury.

“Sadly I had to withdraw from the Amundi German Masters,” the German Dubai resident wrote on social media on Monday. “It’s such a shame, and I was especially looking forward to playing in front of a home crowd, however, with recent events and the injury in London, I have had to realise that I cannot guarantee I can play in Belgium next week nor that I will be playing to my usual standard. Therefore cancelling another LETAS event could be difficult with regard to my Order of Merit tour card qualification.”

https://twitter.com/thechiaranoja/status/1538586477445234688

The 16-year-old was set to join the likes of Bronte Law, Charley Hull and Georgia Hall at Centurion Club, St Albans, having shot to prominence in the past few weeks — winning the LET Access Series Czech Ladies Challenge in a world record, becoming the youngest winner on the LET at 16 years, 81 days.

The German also finished ninth in the Montauban Ladies Open in France.

Last week, Noja got in touch with Golf Digest Middle East to explain how she picked up the freak injury. “I pulled the rib joint due to hay fever sneezing this morning,” she said.

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The post Dubai star Chiara Noja skips another Ladies European Tour event after missing Aramco Team Series — London appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

By Matt Smith
Not only did teen sensation Chiara Noja set the golfing world on notice with her storming win at the LET Access Series Czech Ladies Challenge on Sunday, she smashed a world record.

The German 16-year-old took the title by an amazing nine strokes from home hope Sara Kouskova at the Prague City golf course, pocketing €6,000 for her troubles on a dream week on the Ladies European Tour Access Series.

Chiara waltzed into an early six-stroke lead on Day 1, stretched that to 10 on Day 2 and cruised home on Sunday.

Sweden’s Jilia Engstrom had held the record of the youngest winner on the LETAS when she claimed the Ladies Finnish Open in 2018, but Chiara set down a new benchmark on Sunday in some style.

At 16 years, 81 days, the Dubai-based German is head and shoulders above the rest, just as her scorecard proves.

Austria’s Katharina Muehlbauer, took third spot and Czech pair Jana Melichova Patricie Mackova shared fourth.

Decided to take this one home ? Winning at 16 years old @LETAccess @AmundiCzech somewhat surreal. I‘m a little overwhelmed with all the love and support I’ve received over the last few days. Thank you to everyone that has supported me to make these dreams a reality.
? ACLC pic.twitter.com/JO6JGnlksk

— Chiara Noja (@thechiaranoja) June 5, 2022

“I was super stressed today, but I stayed calm and collected and on the 18th hole, I thought, OK, I actually won and that was a big moment for me,” Chiara told Gulf News.

Chiara also moves to the top of the LETAS Order of Merit standings with 875.00 points and, obviously, also leads the LETAS Rookie of the Year standings after her second-place finish at the Terre Blanche Ladies Open and T-14 in the PGA Championship Trelleborg in Sweden.

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The post Dubai’s Chiara Noja sets new record with win on Ladies European Tour access Series in Czech Republic appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

She was simply sublime on Friday, racing out to a six-stroke lead at Prague City Golf Course on the opening day. Sure, anyone gets lucky… But this was no flash in the pan.

Chiara waited for her afternoon start on Day 2, watching the leaderboard, and then went out and just did her own thing.

This was a one-horse race with a bit of class. Chiara patiently waited for her tee time them calmly turned her six-stroke advantage into an 11-under, 10-stroke buffer going into the last day.

Home hope Sara Kouskova is second on her own a whopping 10 (TEN!) strokes back in the €37,000 event in the Czech Republic. Czech amateurs Karolina Stara and Patricie Mackova are 12 adrift in tied-third.

“it was really fun out there,” Chiara said, never one to get above her station.

Starting on the first tee on Saturday, after beginning on the 10^th on Day 1, Chiara was once again into her stride from the off, turning in 32, just like Friday, to leave the competition trailing. Three dropped shots on the back nine would be considered a wobble by some, but Chiara nullified that with another three birdies to post a 68 and is on the verge of her biggest moment as a pro golfer.

Play on, Chiara.

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The post Dubai wonderkid Chiara Noja shreds it again to open up 10-stroke lead in Ladies European Tour Access Series event in Prague appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

The German 16-year-old left the field for dust after she came roaring out of the blocks in the early starters of the 116-strong field at the €37,000 event at Prague City Golf Club in the Czech Republic.

Starting on the 10th tee, Noja reached the turn in a blistering 32 and did not let up, adding three more birdies on her back nine to post a blemish-free seven-under.

With plenty of players still to finish their rounds, a lot could still happen, but to illustrate Noja’s early dominance, her nearest clubhouse rival was at one-over (Austria’s Katharina Muehlbauer).

As it was, no one could touch her with Czech amateurs Karolina Stara and Dominika Burdova in tied-second, six strokes back on one-under.

Noja certainly had a lot of support on social media, with messages flooding in, proving the 16-year-old’s popularity, urging her to close out what would be the biggest win of her fledgling career.

This is wonderful news Chiara ??? I'm so pleased for you. Keep it up over the next couple of days ? I KNOW YOU CAN DO THIS??

— Russell Crane (@crazygolfer70) June 3, 2022

Wow!

Great game. Keep it up girl. Best wishes for the weekend

— Naeem Mirza (@NaMirza11) June 3, 2022

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The post UPDATED: Dubai 16-year-old Chiara Noja blasts 65 to set the pace at Ladies European Tour Access Series Czech Ladies Challenge appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.