Carlota Ciganda created the perfect storm on the third day of the T Mobile Match Play. The Navarrese golfer defeated Lydia Ko by 2 up and took advantage of the draw between Gabriel Ruffels and Hira Naveed to qualify as the group leader for the last 16 of the T Mobile Match Play, an LPGA Tour tournament held at the Shadow Creek course in Las Vegas.
Neither of the two things she needed to happen was easy, far from it. The first meant overcoming the World Number 3, a player who won’t give you anything over 18 holes. However, Carlota Ciganda brought out her best version, reminiscent of the heroine who defeated the all-powerful Nelly Korda at Finca Cortesín to win the Solheim Cup for Europe. She dominated the match from start to finish. Always with a very tight score, but leading from hole 2 to 18. She managed to have a two-shot lead after the 7th, taking advantage of the par 5 to win another hole against the fantastic New Zealander. However, she was back to one up on the 8th. From there, it was a test of endurance for both. They tied all the holes until the 16th, another par 5 where Carlota unleashed her immense power to go 2 up again with an eagle.
It seemed the victory was in her hands, but Lydia Ko is not one to easily give up. She won the 17th and once again had a chance to tie the match and stay alive in the tournament. But Carlota settled the matter by playing a great 18th hole, with a sensational birdie, the only one not on a par 5. Two up and waiting to see what happened in the other group match. A draw would put Carlota in the last 16, while a win for Naveed or Ruffels would force a playoff.
The Australians were playing in the match ahead, so when they reached the 18th, they still thought a draw was possible in the match between Carlota and Ko. Ruffels achieved a spectacular birdie on the 18th hole that resulted in a draw on the final scoreboard and, therefore, opened the door to the last 16 for Carlota without the need for an additional playoff. It was one of the most intense moments of the day. In just 15 minutes, anything could have happened. All four had chances to qualify, and a four-way playoff was even close. Impressive composure from Carlota.
The Spanish golfer will face Madelene Sagstrom in the last 16 on Saturday, a player she knows very well from the European Solheim Cup team and who excels in match play. In fact, she has won her three matches in a very tough group with Minjee Lee, Jasmine Suwannapura, and Patty Tavatanakit. She will be a very tough opponent.
The other seven last 16 matches are as follows:
– Stephanie Kyriacou Vs. A Lim Kim
– Sei Young Kim Vs. Lauren Coughlin
– Brooke Henderson Vs. Maja Stark
– Ariya Jutanugarn Vs. Narin An
– Ashleigh Buhai Vs. Celine Boutier
– Mao Saigo Vs. Angel Yin
– Jeeno Thithikul Vs. Nataliya Guseva
In total, five Europeans, two Americans, three Koreans, two Thais, one Australian, one Canadian, one South African, and one Japanese have qualified.
Once again, match play proves to be a format prone to surprises. Thitikul is the only golfer from the world top 10 to advance past the group stage. The World Number One fell in her decisive match against Ariya Jutanugarn. Lydia Ko, Charley Hull, Ayaka Furue, Jin Young Ko, and Ruoning Yin also failed. Beyond Thitikul, the highest-ranked golfer in the last 16 of the tournament is Angel Yin, ranked twelfth.
Watch out for the Russian Guseva. She has advanced past the group stage after eliminating Megan Khang, Rose Zhang, and Albane Valenzuela, three Solheim Cup golfers. Knocking on the door of Anna Nordqvist, European Solheim captain in 2026.
