Rookies have dominated the rankings on the LET Access Series (LETAS) for the last four seasons and 2025 is no exception with a lot of new talent joining the Tour.
Finland’s Elina Saksa sits atop the 2025 Rookie of the Year standings after the first LETAS event of the season.
At the Terre Blanche Ladies Open, the Finn recorded a top five finish to start the season after three consistent rounds of 69, 71 and 71 in her professional debut.
Speaking about the week, Saksa said: “Overall, it was just a super consistent week. I felt comfortable with my game, and it was just a very enjoyable week.
“I had no expectations coming into this event. I had a good winter under my belt. I did a lot of technical work, and I was happy with where my swing was.”
Saksa, who is a long-term best friend of fellow Finn player Anna Backman, is excited to play her first season on Tour with the goal of finishing in the top seven on the LETAS Order of Merit and earning an LET card.
The Rookie of the Year leader had a large support system at her first event with both her mum and boyfriend Mikael travelling with her.
“My mum and I had agreed a long time ago that my mum was going to caddy for me in the first tournament but then I have a golf crazy boyfriend and last minute we decided he would caddy after he found some cheap flights.
“My favourite moment of the tournament was the entire last round. I was nervous the entire day because being in contention is a new position for me but it was very fun.”
Saksa started college in 2019 and transferred from University of Nevada, Las Vegas after two years to California State University Fullerton, graduating with a degree in economics.
“I am a bit of a nerd. So, I’m still studying and doing my master’s in real estate economics at the Aalto University School of Engineering.
It was a debate for Saksa whether professional golf was the right route but now she is fully committed and her performance at Terre Blanche shows that she has the talent.
“I think this tournament proved to me that I’m in the right place, on the right tour and I’m competitive. It just gives me a lot of confidence knowing that I can compete with these pros and its super exciting.”
Spain’s Marina Escobar Domingo ended the week in a share of ninth place and moves up to second in the standings with 75.00 points.
Escobar Domingo played in six LETAS events last season and posted a top 10 finish at the Get Golfing Women’s Golf Championship.
This year marks her first season as a rookie member and the rookie is excited to start off strong. She also finished runner-up at the latest Santander Golf Tour event.
“I’m so excited to start counting points and reach the goal of top seven.
“This week gives me a lot of confidence. It’s exciting to see results already and see that I’m doing the right things in practice.”
“The Islantilla Open is the event I’m looking forward to the most. It’s the closest event to home and hopefully my parents can come out and watch.
“The prize money is high, so that’s exciting. A win there is what I have my eye on.”
Close behind, Germany’s Celina Sattelkau sits third with 55.20 points after finishing tied 13th.
After a first-round struggle, Sattelkau stayed calm to card two more rounds of 70 to finish strong.
“The first day was tough but I think my support system did a great job of keeping me grounded and figuring out what I needed to change.
“So, I’m very happy with how I finished. Having five birdies in the last back nine was very fun.”
Sattelkau started the season playing the season on the Sunshine Ladies Tour after graduating from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, where she won the Dinah Shore Trophy in 2024 for outstanding golf performance, academic excellence, commitment to community service, and leadership service, cementing her status as one of the top female collegiate players in the country.
“I turned professional before Q School because I didn’t want a couple of week to dictate how I was going to start my career. I was doing it for myself.
“Turning professional has been a dream and a goal for a long time. Sometimes I must do a reality check and remind myself that this is happening.
“This season I’m most excited for the weeks in Sweden. I love the country; I’m an outdoorsy girl so I’m excited to explore some of Sweden. My birthday is in July, the last week in Sweden so I think my mum will also be out with my dad and me.”
The full Rookie of the Year rankings can be found here.
Up next for our rookies is the Madaef Golfs Ladies Open by Saidia Resorts which takes place April 25-27.
Follow all the action from the Tour at @LETAccess on Facebook, Instagram and X– #Access2LET.
