Chiara Tamburlini has made history in being crowned the 2024 ‘LET Rookie of the Year’ after an impressive first year on the Ladies European Tour (LET).
The 24-year-old becomes the first player from Switzerland and the first LET Access Series (LETAS) graduate to win the prestigious title.
With two events remaining in the LET season, the Swiss star has accumulated 2,623.44 points from 23 events and now has an unassailable lead in the season-long competition to crown the best new player on Tour.
Tamburlini played on the LET Access Series (LETAS) in 2023. The Swiss player turned professional in August and immediately secured a victory that week at the PGA Championship Gothenburg.
Her second victory came a few weeks later at the prestigious Rose Ladies Open.
Tamburlini eventually finished third on the Order of Merit to clinch her LET card for the 2024 season.
It was a good start to the LET year for the Swiss player as she had top-10 finishes at the Magical Kenya Ladies Open and in the Individual event at the Aramco Team Series presented by PIF – Tampa before capturing her maiden LET title at the Joburg Ladies Open.
Over the summer, the 24-year-old recorded a T2 finish at the Jabra Ladies Open, T10 in her homeland at the VP Bank Swiss Ladies Open and a fourth-place finish at the KPMG Women’s Irish Open.
Tamburlini secured her second victory of the season winning via a playoff at the Lacoste Ladies Open de France and followed that up with a T3 in the Individual event at the Aramco Team Series presented by PIF – Shenzhen.
The Ole Miss graduate then clinched her third title of the season at the Wistron Ladies Open – Taiwan to all but seal her Rookie of the Year title.
“Rookie of the Year a goal I set myself at the start of the year, a very high set goal but somewhat achievable and I can’t believe I’ve done it,” said Tamburlini.
“To see the list of players who have won Rookie of the Year is great and to be the first player from Switzerland to win the title is an honour. I have really enjoyed my rookie year on the LET getting to know all the players and staff.
“Winning a tournament is special to be able to win three times in my first year on Tour has been unbelievable and I’m looking forward to the last couple of events and hopefully, being to win the Order of Merit as well.”
With the LET Order of Merit still in the balance, Tamburlini can become the seventh player to win both titles in the same season following in the footsteps of Dame Laura Davies, Carlota Ciganda, Esther Henseleit, Jeeno Thitikul, Linn Grant and Trichat Cheenglab.
The LET season continues this week with the Aramco Team Series presented by PIF – Riyadh before the year culminates in the season-ending Andalucía Costa del Sol Open de España presented by Oysho at the end of November.