Carlota Ciganda has gone from being on the ropes, on the verge of elimination, to depending on herself to reach the round of 16 at the T Mobile Match Play, an LPGA Tour tournament taking place at the Shadow Creek course in Las Vegas. The Navarrese player has turned her situation around 180 degrees thanks to her narrow victory against Hira Naveed (2&1) and the convincing win of Lydia Ko against Gabriela Ruffels (6&5).
Thus, after two days and with only one match remaining, Ciganda’s group is completely tied. All four players have one point, and everything will be decided today in the final moments. The golfer from Ulzama faces Lydia Ko, and in the other group match, Ruffels and Naveed go head-to-head. If Carlota wins, she secures at least a playoff against the winner of the other match, although she could also advance directly with a victory if the Australians draw. If she ties with Ko, she will need a draw in the other match to enter a four-way playoff. If she loses to Ko, she will be eliminated. These are Carlota’s calculations.
The most positive aspect of her victory against Naveed and Ko’s win is that she now depends on herself. If she wins her match and also wins the possible playoff, she will be in the round of 16. The main obstacle is that she is not playing against just anyone. She will face Lydia Ko, the World Number 3, current Olympic champion, and one of the best players in the world over the past decade.
The duel against Naveed was a battle of strength. There were several lead changes from the start. Carlota decided it in her favour with a fabulous coup in the final holes. She won holes 12, 13, 16, and 17, the last two with spectacular birdies, and prevailed by 2&1. She achieved three birdies in the match. Shadow Creek has once again demonstrated that more holes are won with par than with birdie. You have to attack, but with caution.
The second day of the tournament has already left a significant trail of eliminated players: Rose Zhang (Solheim player), Leona Maguire (runner-up last year and Solheim player), Amy Yang, Hinako Shibuno, Ruoning Yin, Jennifer Kupcho (Solheim player), Danielle Kang (Solheim player), Chanettee Wannasaen, Andrea Lee (Solheim player), Jin Young Ko (former World Number One), Moriya Jutanugarn, Bailey Tardy, Nanna Madsen (Solheim player), Somi Lee, Jasmine Suwannapura, Brittany Altomare (Solheim player), Alexa Pano, and Auston Kim. As often happens in these cases, the culling has been significant.
Meanwhile, Nelly Korda won her second match against Jennifer Kupcho yesterday and has one and a half points. She depends on herself, but she needs to win today against Ariya Jutanugarn to reach the round of 16, as the Thai player has two points. Among the most notable results yesterday were the victory of Madelene Sagstrom against Minjee Lee, Nataliya Guseva against Megan Khang, Albane Valenzuela against Rose Zhang (a match conceded due to the American’s injury), or the draw between Charley Hull and Ashleigh Buhai.
Among the players who have reached the final day with two victories are Ariya, Celine Boutier, Jeeno Thitikul, and Brooke Henderson, among others.
