Carlota Ciganda wins the Andalucía Costa del Sol Open de España 2024 at Guadalhorse Golf |
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Andalucia Costa del Sol, Spanish Open 2024
Carlota Ciganda touches the sky at the Andalucía Costa del Sol Open de España presented by Oysho
Carlota Ciganda wins her second Spanish Open after a thrilling final day at the Real Guadalhorce Club de Golf. The amateur Andrea Revuelta shines with a meritorious fifth place and wins the Celia Barquín Award to the best amateur.
Carlota Ciganda has shone again to proclaim herself champion of the Andalucía Costa del Sol Open de España, adding her second title in this tournament after her triumph in 2021 and reaching the eighth title of her career in the Ladies European Tour (LET). With a final score of -18, the Navarrese player showed her best version to win in an exciting duel against the Belgian Manon De Roey, second with -17, and the Indian Pranavi Urs, third with -14.
Ciganda's victory was not easy. She started with a four-stroke lead, but the first round of the day showed that the road to victory would not be a walkover. After a complicated start with bogeys on holes 1 and 3, Belgium's De Roey, second on the LET Order of Merit, tied for the lead thanks to an initial run of birdies on holes 3 and 4. However, Ciganda kept her cool and showed why she is a benchmark for Spanish women's golf. With key birdies on holes 5 and 7, the Spaniard managed to stay one stroke ahead at the end of the first nine holes.
In the second round, the tension was ratcheted up. Carlota, who struggled with the drive all week, made masterful recoveries with the irons, such as the one on the 10th hole, where she saved par after sending the ball into the water on the second shot. Meanwhile, De Roey continued to press, tying again on the par 5 12th hole thanks to a birdie. However, the Navarrese responded with cold bloodedness, making a crucial birdie on the 14th hole that put her back in the lead. The decisive moment came on the par 3 17th, where Ciganda holed a four-metre putt for birdie, celebrating with the Guadalhorce crowd. A bogey on the 18th did not tarnish her performance, certifying a victory that consolidates her as one of the great references of Spanish women's golf.
‘It is very special to win here in Spain. The Spanish Open has always been a unique tournament for me, and to win it for the second time is a dream come true,’ said Carlota after her victory. On her game, she added: ‘I started with some doubts. Manon made up some distance early, but I was generally good. That birdie on the 17th was decisive; it reminded me of the 17th hole at Finca Cortesin in the 2023 Solheim Cup. I played an eight iron and the distance was almost identical’. She also had words of praise for Andrea Revuelta, with whom she shared a match: ‘She is a very mature player. I am sure she will win this tournament in the future’.
Among the Spanish players, Andrea Revuelta herself was one of the main protagonists. The young amateur from Madrid, who yesterday signed a historic round of 64 strokes, clung to the field despite a difficult start that included a double bogey on hole 4. Revuelta closed the day with -1, finishing tied for fifth with a -12 total and taking the Celia Barquín Award for the best amateur of the tournament. ‘It has been an incredible week. I thank the club, the Federation and the organisation for everything they have done to make this tournament possible. It is an honour to win this award in honour of a player who is a symbol in Spain’, said the player from Madrid.
Spanish talent also shone with Ana Peláez, who finished eleventh with -9, and the amateur Carla Bernat, who closed the tournament in fourteenth place with eight under par. Marta Martín, with -7, completed the outstanding national role in this edition of the Open.
Defending Champion Aditi Ashok, winner of last year's Andalucía Costa del Sol Open de España 2023 at Las Brisas Golf from India had a disapointing tournament quietly finishing in 18th place with five under par with a respectable 70, 71 and 70. Her fellow Indian Pranavi Urs actually finished in 4th equal with ten under par after playing 66, 69, 71.
Caroline Hedwall from Sweeden winner of Andalucía Costa del Sol Open de España 2022 at Alferini Golf finished in 50th positions two over par with a 70, 75, 72.
 Carlota Ciganda plays the Andalucía Costa del Sol Open de España 2024 at Guadalhorse Golf |
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Carlota Ciganda dominates and moves closer to the title in the Andalucía Costa del Sol Open de España
Carlota Ciganda continues to show why she is one of the best Spanish golfers of all time. On the third day of the Andalucía Costa del Sol Open de España presented by Oysho, the Spaniard shone with her own light by completing another spectacular round of 66 strokes (-6), consolidating her lead with a cumulative total of -17 and four strokes ahead of Sunday's final day.
From the opening stages of her round at Real Guadalhorce Club de Golf, Ciganda made it clear that she was not going to give up any ground. With consecutive birdies on holes 3 and 4, and another on hole 8, she took an authoritative lead. In the second round, she continued to extend her advantage with birdies on the 12th, 14th and 16th holes. Three rounds with only one bogey is hard to achieve. From the tee I wasn't very comfortable, but I played at a very high level with the irons and wedges, and I made some very good putts,’ she said at the end of her round. She also expressed her excitement about competing in Spain: ‘The Open is a tournament that I have always marked in red in my calendar and it would be great to repeat here. Tomorrow I'll continue to do my thing and look for another result like the ones I've had this week’.
Belgian Manon De Roey, with a round of 66 strokes, is also in second place with a total of -13. De Roey, second on the Ladies European Tour Order of Merit and champion of this year's South African Open, once again showed her consistency and determination.
Meanwhile, Andrea Revuelta and Rosie Davies were the biggest surprises of the day as they both carded a historic 64 (-8), a Real Guadalhorce Club de Golf record in a women's professional tournament and the second lowest round in a professional tournament after Miguel Angel Jimenez's 63. The Spanish amateur, with six birdies in seven holes between the eighth and 14th and a flawless game, climbed to third place with a -11 total, maintaining her love affair with the Spanish Open after last year's seventh place in Las Brisas. ‘It was a sensational round. I missed a few chances, but overall I'm very happy. The pressure I feel here is different to the United States. I have the support of the public and my people, and that makes everything a little easier,’ said Revuelta at the end of her day.
In the chasing pack, Helen Briem, Pia Babnik and Pranavi Urs share the fourth position with -10, while the Spanish contingent continues to show a high level. Marta Martín and María Hernández, with a total of -8, remain in the top-10, consolidating their good tournament. The Spaniard keeps alive her chances of entering the final round of the LPGA Q-Series if she manages to get into the top three tomorrow.
Ana Pelaez, Carla Bernat and Teresa Toscano also stood out with consistent rounds that keep them in the fight to finish in a good position, with -6 for the first and -4 for the Huelva golfer.
Carlota Ciganda takes the lead at the Andalucía Costa del Sol Open de España
Carlota Ciganda, with a solid -11 total, leads the standings after a brilliant second day free of bogeys.
María Hernández and Luna Sobrón, in the top-10, maintain their chances of winning the title at the weekend.
Carlota Ciganda has moved to the top of the Andalucía Costa del Sol Open de España presented by Oysho after a spectacular second day at the Real Guadalhorce Club de Golf, signing a brilliant card of 66 strokes (-6) for a cumulative score of -11. The Navarrese, who is looking for her second title in this tournament after her victory in 2021 in Los Naranjos, offered a solid and error-free performance. In her own words: ‘It was the best round of the season. Both today and yesterday, I'm playing very solid. It's been a long time since I've made so many birdies and so few bogeys’.
Ciganda made the most of the first round of the course, with birdies on holes 2, 4, 6 and 7, and kept up the pace in the second with key birdies on the 12th and a spectacular putt on the 16th. The Navarrese highlighted the difference between the two halves of the course: ‘I think the first round is a little shorter, and that's where I've taken my chances. I have the feeling that I play a lot more wedges in the first round and that's where I've been getting the advantage I needed’. He also thanked his caddie, Javier Erviti: ‘It helps a lot to have a caddie who has been a player, who understands a lot about golf and who knows what to tell you at all times, especially on the greens. We are understanding each other very well and that is reflected in the result’.
In second place, one stroke behind, is the Slovenian Pia Babnik, who continues to demonstrate why she is one of the great promises of European golf. With a card of 67 strokes, Babnik has a cumulative score of -10 thanks to her solid game and her precision on the greens. The provisional third place is shared by Germany's Helen Briem and India's Pranavi Urs, both with -9, who played a very high level of golf to stay in the fight for the title.
The Spanish contingent also left its mark on the day. Maria Hernandez, with a brilliant round of 66 strokes, is tied for fifth with a cumulative score of -7, demonstrating an excellent adaptation to the course of Real Guadalhorce Club de Golf. After finishing her round, the Spaniard highlighted her feelings: ‘I have fulfilled in all aspects of the game. I'm happy with how the adjustments I made to my swing are working out. Maybe it wasn't the best time to try them, but they are working, and that gives me confidence for the weekend. Hernandez, with a solid and consistent golf, is positioned as one of the great hopes of the Spanish team in this tournament.
Luna Sobrón also shone with an outstanding round of 66 strokes. The Mallorcan player made four consecutive birdies from the 13th hole onwards, which allowed her to climb up the leaderboard and stay in the fight for the title. Her aggressive and efficient game is an example of her ability to perform at the important moments.
Among the other Spaniards, Marta Sanz and Marta Martin managed to place twelfth with a total of -5, showing great consistency throughout the tournament. In the amateur contingent, Carla Bernat and Paula Martin excelled with rounds that left them at -4 overall, tying for the top-20 alongside Ana Pelaez, while Andrea Revuelta stayed close with -3, completing a solid performance. Martin, showing great maturity in her game, commented: ‘It's been a day of ups and downs. I made two double bogeys, but I'm happy with my overall level. If I keep playing like this, I think I can have a good weekend’.
Ana Peláez presents her candidacy to the title in the Andalucía Costa del Sol Open de España presented by Oysho
The local player shines in the first day of competition with a result of six under par and is positioned among the favourites for the title along with Carlota Ciganda and Marta Martin.
Noora Komulainen, seven under par, takes the lead in an exciting start to the competition.
Ana Peláez, with a remarkable card of 6 under par, has taken the first step towards the title of the Andalucía Costa del Sol Open de España presented by Oysho held this week at the Real Guadalhorce Club de Golf. The Malaga native has already made her mark after the first 18 holes of competition, placing second tied with Helen Briem and Pranavi Urs. Finland's Noora Komulainen, with 7 under par, was the sole leader at the end of the first day.
The winner of the Santander Spanish Women's Professional Championship just a week ago displayed all her arsenal in a magnificent day of golf in which she found her best level. ‘Being from Malaga and being in my city is very special. To be able to enjoy the Malaga public during this week is wonderful and I hope I can maintain the level throughout the tournament’.
A single bogey on the 16th hole was an anecdote in a spectacular round in which Peláez started with six consecutive pars before going straight in at the seventh hole. With a solid and flawless game, the Malaga native made six birdies in a row between the seventh and twelfth holes, which brought the home crowd to its feet. At the end of the day, she commented: ‘At the beginning it was difficult for me to connect with my golf, but after the seventh hole I had a second of calm where I was able to feel a lot of peace and start from scratch’. Regarding his round, he said that ‘there is little to improve after such a good round. Perhaps I could have found my rhythm earlier, but with the support of the public and my family, I couldn't ask for more’.
The star of Spanish golf, Carlota Ciganda, also joined the party. The 5 under par of the Navarrese, two strokes behind the leader, puts her in the fight for a title that she already won in 2021 at Los Naranjos. Her second round of four under par, with two birdies on the last three holes, augurs a special weekend for Spanish golf: ‘It was a good round. You have to be patient on this course. The greens are more complicated in the second round and you always have to be on the right platform to get a birdie, while the first round opens up a few more options. As for his level of play on the day, he commented: ‘My game with the irons was up to par. The distance control has been very good and the putting has also worked, but it's true that lately I've been struggling a lot with the drive.
However, the most outstanding player of the day was Noora Komulainen, who knew how to adapt to the Guadalhorce course right from the start. With five birdies in the first round and three birdies in a row on the 11th, 12th and 13th holes, she made just one bogey on the par four 16th hole and will be looking to make her first appearance this week on the Ladies European Tour.
Germany's Helen Briem and India's Pranavi Urs also completed two sensational rounds of six under par. Briem, champion in La Sella in her third tournament on the Ladies European Tour, once again showed her spectacular punch and is once again a strong candidate for the title despite her young age.
In addition to Pelaez and Ciganda, there were several other Spaniards who played an outstanding role on the first day of competition. Marta Martín completed a great round of four under par and closed the day in eighth position. Meanwhile, Marta Sanz and Harang Lee carded a 69 for three under par, while amateur Paula Marti and Huelva-born Teresa Toscano are in twentieth place with -2.
The Real Guadalhorce Club de Golf will be venue of the Andalucía Costa del Sol Open de España 2024.
The Malaga golf club will host from 28th November to 1st December the tournament that will close the season of the Ladies European Tour.
The Real Guadalhorce Club de Golf, located next to Malaga airport, and just fifteen minutes from the centre of Malaga cityy, will host the Andalucía Costa del Sol Open de España 2024 presented by Oysho, a tournament that, since 2020, closes Ladies European Tour season.
The Real Guadalhorce Club de Golf course inaugurated in 1989, designed by Kosti Kuronen and redesigned by Miguel Ángel Jiménez in 2007, will host for the first time in its history a top-level women's tournament.
The Andalucía Costa del Sol Open de España 2024 presented by Oysho, which will live its twenty-second edition and that have in their showcases two Spanish as Azahara Muñoz, this double, and Carlota Ciganda, will put the finishing touch to a season full of tournaments, in which
The Ladies European Tour has broken records for tournament prizes, being 700,000 euros which will be distributed among the 72 professionals who will meet in Guadalhorce.
The Andalucía and Costa del Sol tourist boards are the main sponsors but without ACOSOL as previous editions. Presumably a potential institutional PR faux pas for a mononpoly water company to sponsor a golf tournament in times of shortage.
Race to the Costa del Sol
The Andalucía Costa del Sol Open de España being the last event on the Ladies European Tour is the 'Race to Costa del Sol', the Order of Merit of the Ladies European Tour. Ana Peláez recovered one place in the tournament at the Real Club de Golf Las Brisas and finished fifth in the Order of Merit.