– This Thursday, the best tournament of the year on the Ladies European Tour kicks off in Spain. We’re not the ones saying it, mind you; it’s the players’ opinion. La Sella Open was distinguished as such in 2023 and 2024. Once could be a coincidence, but when it happens two years in a row, it means things are being done very well, with a lot of care, different from any other week of the season.
– The attention to the players is exquisite. Everything revolves around them. In detail. The golf course is in perfect condition, the practice areas are impressive, they have a Pilates room, a recovery room, spa, swimming pool, hotel on the course, delicious food, a prize fund of one million euros… So yes, the best tournament of the year. It’s so evident that everything is for and about the players that there’s not even a Pro Am. It feels like a Major.
– Speaking of small details. Let us tell you about an excellent initiative by La Sella. Helen Briem, last year’s winner, and Nuria Iturrioz, winner in 2023, planted the seed for two trees that will bear their names and will be planted between holes 10 and 11. It’s a way for the winners’ legacy at La Sella to endure over time. These are just the first two. It will continue with future champions. The particular garden of glory at La Sella.
– The course bears the signature of José María Olazábal, in case any more flavour was needed. There is no sponsor or organising company. Everything is done here, everything starts here. It’s La Sella through and through. And yes, it feels like a Major. Hats off.
– The rough wants to be the protagonist this week. You have to stay on the fairway. It’s a spicy situation and the greens are small. They are in perfect condition, although for now, they are receptive. If they are up for it, they could make them hard and fast for the weekend. It will depend on the wind. It’s hot enough to be tiresome…
– Carolina López Chacarra is one of the standout names of the week. The Madrid native is making her debut in a professional tournament in Spain after a fantastic year. She is still an amateur. It will be her fourth professional tournament. She shone brightly at the US Open, finishing in 36th position and missed the cut at the Meijer and Portland. La Sella will serve her, among other things, to prepare for the World Championship, where she would like to close this amateur chapter on a high note.
– La Sella will see the return to competition of Ana Peláez. The Malaga native hasn’t competed since the Tenerife Open, a tournament played in early June. She has been out for three months. The main issue has been some back discomfort. She is now well. Watch out for her because she was 21st in 2023 and fourth last year. Moreover, she has always shown to play with an extra edge when in Spain.
– The top five in the Order of Merit are at La Sella. A good demonstration of the importance of this tournament. In order: Mimi Rhodes, Shannon Tan, Sara Kouskova, Cara Gainer, and Casandra Alexander. A victory this week would be a giant step for any of them in their fight to win the ranking. After La Sella, there will be only four tournaments left and the grand final on the Costa del Sol.
– The other two major battles are to finish among the top ten in the order of merit to directly play the grand final of the LPGA Tour School and to save the card, something the top 70 in the ranking will achieve. In the first contest, we have Nuria Iturrioz, twelfth, and Luna Sobrón, twenty-second. Meanwhile, to save the card are Ana Peláez (56th), Blanca Fernández (58th), Teresa Toscano (92nd), Marta Sanz (94th), María Hernández (99th), Harang Lee (108th), and Amaia Latorre (123rd). It should be noted that many of them will find it difficult, if not impossible in some cases, to enter the tournaments in Taiwan and China, just before the final in Andalucía. This means that for many, there will really be two more tournaments after La Sella to save the card.
