Natalie Armbruester rescinded her amateur status this week and will be teeing it up as a professional in the Madaef Golfs Ladies Open Presented by Saidia Resorts.
The 25-year-old played on the LET Access Series (LETAS) as an amateur throughout the 2024 season and also in the season-opening event of 2025.
However, after finishing third at the Terre Blanche Ladies Open, the Swiss star has decided to turn professional for the rest of the season.
“I used an amateur tournament in Switzerland to prepare for the season, so I always knew I was going to stay as an amateur until early April,” she said.
“Then I played well at the first event in France and thought I’ll do it. If I don’t do it now, I feel like I’ll just push it out even more. I decided to do it.
“I think because I played so much last year on LETAS, I don’t feel like it’s my professional debut in an odd way. I don’t really feel any different going into this event than I would have if I would have kept my amateur status.
“I’ve really enjoyed playing on LETAS. Last year was fun, the girls on the Tour are so welcoming and I think we all try to have fun doing it as well. It’s been a great experience.
“I’ve learned a lot and a lot about myself as well, as you would typically do on the golf course. I’m excited to play this year as well because we’re going to a lot of the same places. I already know the courses. I feel like it’ll feel easier in some way more familiar.”
Rounds of 69-68-73 saw Armbruester finish in third place in Terre Blanche with a score of six-under-par.
But the result came as a little bit of a surprise after the North Carolina State graduate changed coach just before Q-School at the end of last year.
She continued: “[Third place] was a little unexpected because I didn’t have the best practice sessions the day leading up to the tournament. I felt like I managed myself really well on the course and then I had a very, very nervous start on the third day. At the end of the tournament, I was just super happy with it.
“I’m trying to go into the season with no expectations, taking it one tournament at a time. I changed coaches just before Q-School and we used the off-season really well to make some necessary adjustments. I’m still trying to get used to the swing that I have. I’m really going in with no expectations.”
A field of 95 players representing 27 nations will be teeing it up at Golf Lacs Saidia hoping to win the inaugural title.
Armbruester has been to Morocco before, but never this part of the country and had some good preparation ahead of this week.
She added: “It’s been exciting to get here, it was a long travel day, but it looks gorgeous. It’s beautiful. I think the course looks nice, so we’ll see how practice goes.
“We had luckily some really nice weather in Switzerland, you never know what weather you’re going to get this time of the year! I was able to play a lot, and my home course was in good condition, so I felt like I was able to prepare well for the event.”
Armbruester will begin her first round at 1.23 pm (local time) on Friday alongside Germany’s Sophie Witt and England’s Thalia Martin.
For more information on the LET Access Series, visit letaccess.com and follow @LETAccess on Facebook, Instagram and X – #Access2LET.
