– It is the name that resonates in every discussion at the Real Guadalhorce Club de Golf. Nothing else is talked about. The debate is no longer if she will ever become World Number One, but when she will. We are talking, of course, about Helen Briem, a 19-year-old German golfer born in Stuttgart who has revolutionised women’s golf as soon as she entered the professional world. There are more cautious ones who recall the case of Pia Babnik, another player who seemed poised to take all the crumbs from the table and whose progression seems to have stalled recently. However, in general, there is no one who doesn’t detect something different in this 1.90-meter tall player.
The first thing that impresses is her power, and the second, her attitude. She moves around the course with the ease of a veteran, despite having turned professional just a few months ago. Fellow professionals claim she belongs to another species. As if she were not from this planet. Her power from the tee allows her to take lines unknown to the rest. Those who know her well say she comfortably handles 280-meter drives. Another galaxy.
Her numbers are impressive. She has played only fourteen tournaments counting towards the world ranking and in eight, more than half, she has been first or second. Beastly. She has won five tournaments, four from the LET Access and one from the Ladies European Tour. Her records in Spain are also impressive. Her first professional tournament, still as an amateur, in 2021, she finished second in the Santander Tour in Barcelona. Afterwards, she won a LETAS in Ávila and conquered La Sella. History says that every time she sets foot in Spain, she finishes first or second. Obviously, she must be one of the favourites. She is 37th in the LET order of merit having played only three tournaments. Amazing.
– The Andalucía Costa del Sol Open de España continues to grow every year. In this edition, the prize fund increases again and is now at a historic total amount for this tournament of 700,000 euros. The winner will take home a cheque for 105,000.
– From a Spanish perspective, all eyes should be on Carlota Ciganda. The Navarrese player is another of the great favourites to win. Among other things, because she could become the third player, after Azahara Muñoz and Anne Van Dam, to win this tournament twice. Carlota has not won yet this year, which is unusual. In the last three seasons, she has taken at least one victory. This is her last chance, and she is going all out. She has fond memories of the course. Not in vain, as a very young girl, she won a Spanish Championship of clubs here with Ulzama. She shot two rounds of 65, which was then a course record.
– Who knows if it is not time for another name to join the roster of Spanish winners of this national Open. So far, there are only two on the trophy pedestal: Azahara and Carlota. There are more than enough reasons to think another could join the party. Marta Martín is the only Spaniard who has won this year and is having her best season as a professional, Ana Peláez comes from winning the Spanish Championship last week, Nuria Iturrioz is always a contender when a tournament starts, María Hernández only needs to win this year, María Herráez has conquered the Santander Tour order of merit, and of course, we cannot forget the amateurs, young and well-prepared. A victory by Andrea Revuelta, Carla Bernat, or Paula Martín would not surprise anyone too much. Sure values of our golf.
– We must stand up and applaud the work done by all the maintenance members of the Real Guadalhorce, as well as the people from LET and Deporte & Business for presenting the course in extraordinary conditions. Just two weeks ago, there were holes that had practically turned into rivers due to the rise of the Guadalhorce. The course is exceptional, with firm and fast greens that are the best defence of the course. It will be a demanding test.
