The last thing Carlota Ciganda did in 2024 was win. She triumphed at the memorable Open de España held at the Real Guadalhorce Golf Club in early December. Since then, family, home, padel, friends, and good preparation in recent weeks in the United States with Jorge Parada. This week, two months later, she returns to the fray at the PIF Saudi International, the true Major among the non-Majors of the Ladies European Tour. It is played at the Riyadh Golf Club with five million dollars at stake, of which only half a million is for the team competition.
This is the sixth edition of this tournament and the first time it is played with the Aramco Team Series format, meaning a team competition for the first two days and an individual one lasting three rounds. It starts on Thursday and ends on Saturday. After the second round, the top 60 players and ties will make the cut. It is the second event on the LET calendar in 2025 and the level is extremely high. Among the participating players, besides Carlota, are Patty Tavatanakit, the defending champion, Albane Valenzuela, Danielle Kang, Georgia Hall, Ruoning Yin, Ariya and Moriya Jutanugarn, Linn Grant, Jeeno Thitikul, Charley Hull, and Esther Henseleit, among others. Serious business.
Uno de mis objetivos en 2025 es mejorar la rutina y jugar más rápido
Carlota starts 2025 with a single wish on the table. She can say it louder, but not clearer. Paraphrasing Luis Aragonés, she wants to win, win, and win again. Win on the Ladies European Tour, in the Majors, and on the LPGA Tour. Win. Whatever it is. She’s hungry. It looks promising. The big news in her team is her caddie. She debuts him in Saudi Arabia. He is Casey Johnson, a Canadian professional with a lot of experience under his belt.
Carlota hopes to start the year as she finished it, although it won’t be easy. There is a lot of competition in the tournament. Last year, the first time it was played at the Riyadh Golf Club, the golfer from Ulzama finished in tenth position. Alongside Ciganda, the Armada is deep and powerful. Nuria Iturrioz, playing with Chiara Tamburlini, the 2024 order of merit champion, Luna Sobrón, Fátima Fernández Cano, Marta Sanz, María Hernández, and Ana Peláez will also seek victory. Low scores are expected. Last year Tavatanakit won with -18.
