At the end of last week, Shannon Tan created history by becoming the first Singaporean to win on the Ladies European Tour (LET) yet history was made elsewhere as for the first time we saw two LETAS graduates finish within the top 10 at a season opener.
Switzerland’s Chiara Tamburlini and 2023 Order of Merit winner, Sofie Kibsgaard Nielsen stepped up and shone at Vipino Ridge with the pair coming tied third and eighth respectively.
Tamburlini finished the tournament on four-under-par after consistent rounds of 72, 71, 73 and 72.
It was an emotional final day for Tamburlini, who carded a round of 72 which included six birdies, three bogeys and one double bogey.
There were two spots up for grabs for next week’s Aramco Saudi Ladies International presented by PIF with Tan securing the first spot and after countback, it was Tamburlini who got the final place ahead of Guseva.
Two-time LETAS winner said: “I’m very overwhelmed right now. It’s been incredible. I had quite the bumpy finish, but I was able to get myself together again. It was an amazing experience to be here and to be in contention and playing with all the other players.
“It’s incredible having just started my professional career and being able to play in the Aramco Saudi Ladies International. Deep down that been my goal for this week, I felt it was too ambitious but the fact it came true was too sweet.”
Straight from finishing college in the US, Ole Miss Women’s Golf alumni Tamburlini arrived at LETAS back last year in June at the Amundi Czech Ladies Challenge as an amateur and immediately made an impression by making six cuts in a row.
Tamburlini then made the difficult but exciting decision to turn professional the night before the PGA Championship Gothenburg which the 24-year-old then incredibly went on to win.
A few weeks later, the Swiss star won the coveted Rose Ladies Open and ended the season third on the LETAS Order of Merit to clinch her LET card.
Speaking about how LETAS prepared her, Tamburlini said: “I was able to finish top six on the LETAS Order of Merit and that’s why I’m here today and this year. I’m thankful for that.”
Denmark’s Sofie Kibsgaard Nielsen dominated LETAS last year and now she’s made an impact at the LET’s season opener in Kenya.
After rounds of 70,76, 72 and 71, the 24-year-old finished tied eighth on three-under-par.
Speaking after the first round, Kibsgaard Nielsen said: “I played two LET tournaments last year and it made me calmer today. I just had to try to remind myself that it’s just another tournament and it’s just golf. I’m proud of myself as the first round of the year. I’m happy with it.”
Other LETAS graduates put in strong performances with Finland’s Emily Penttila, Ireland’s Lauren Walsh, Slovenia’s Katja Pogacar, England’s Thalia Martin, Spain’s Marta Martin, Sweden’s Corinne Viden and Norway’s Dorthea Forbrigd all making the cut.
Next up for most of our graduates is the Lalla Meryem Cup at Royal Golf Dar Es Salam which starts on the 22nd February.
For more information on the LET Access Series, visit letaccess.com and follow @LETAccess on Instagram and Twitter – #RaiseOurGame.
