You have to go back to 1 December last year to find the origin of this story that had a happy ending yesterday. The final round of the Andalucía Costa del Sol Open de España was being played at the Real Guadalhorce Club de Golf. It was one of those thrilling secondary battles that take place in every professional tournament, far from victory but close to very big goals.
While Carlota Ciganda was lifting the champion’s trophy in Málaga, Marta Martín was giving her all to finish as high as possible in the tournament. Everything was more or less under control, but three bogeys in the last five holes made her fall from a more than likely top 10 to sixteenth place. At first glance, it didn’t seem like such a drastic change, nothing to get too upset about, but the reality was quite different. In that unfortunate hour of play, the AIG Women’s Open slipped away from the Madrid native. The top 15 in the LET ranking at the end of the season earned a ticket to the fifth Major of the year, and Marta finished in 16th place, a meagre 3.96 points away from the British. It wasn’t just a thorn; it was a scimitar stuck to the hilt.
Marta Martín se clasifica para el AIG Women’s Open por la previa
From that day, Marta set her sights on being in the AIG Women’s Open. That ‘robbery’ had to be rectified. She achieved it yesterday, Monday, just in time, in the last qualifier and in the last spot… But she did it. Nothing lasts forever. Specifically, the Madrid native wiped away the bitter taste 240 days after that bitter Sunday in Guadalhorce. A cold revenge.
The celebration was stylish because the occasion deserved it… and because there was no other choice. Considering that everything in Porthcawl closes at six in the evening, the Madrid native had no choice but to dine and toast to her success in the Open’s players lounge. Not bad at all. To start warming up. The course where the qualifier was played and the Royal Porthcawl, the tournament venue, are neighbours, so it was a short and pleasant walk with a smile from ear to ear. “I am very happy and excited, with a lot of desire. Last year I was left with a thorn, and we were very clear about the goal. We played very well, very solid, especially from 1 to 9. From the 8th, the wind picked up, links style, and we had to hold on. It wasn’t easy, but we did it. Super happy,” Marta told Ten Golf.
It will be the third Major for the Madrid native after the Evian and this same Open last year. On both occasions, she made the cut. Good omens.
