Latest news with #CarlotaCiganda
Arab News
7 days ago
- Business
- Arab News
‘These courses look amazing.' PIF Future Fairways tee off in London
LONDON: With immersive tech, visionary course design, and a bold ambition to shape the next chapter of global golf, the Saudi Public Investment Fund and Golf Saudi officially launched PIF Future Fairways in central London on Tuesday — a preview event blending innovation with sport to highlight Saudi Arabia's emergence as a world class golf destination. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport The event at Urban Golf in Smithfield unveiled an interactive 3D digital version of three flagship Saudi golf courses — Shura Links, Laheq Golf Course, and Trojena Northern Golf Course — designed to position the Kingdom at the heart of golf's next era. These next-generation venues will anchor Saudi's broader ambitions to triple its number of golf courses by 2030 and build a holistic sports and tourism ecosystem. Attendees, including pro golfers, designers and industry leaders, explored virtual replicas of the new courses, demo-played signature holes on high-tech simulators, and took part in a 'closest to the pin' challenge — all while engaging in off-the-record discussions with PIF stakeholders and Golf Saudi executives. 'For me, every experience that I have with Saudi, it's been amazing,' said Carlota Ciganda, one of Golf Saudi's ambassadors. 'I know what they are capable of doing. These courses look amazing, a lot of fun to play — they're going to attract a lot of people, a lot of tourists. I would love to go, play, and be part of this.' Her sentiments were echoed by fellow ambassador Marianne Skarpnord, who said: 'I definitely see Saudi Arabia becoming a golf tourist destination. Saudi Arabia's landscapes are tailor-made for golf — from coastal settings to dramatic desert terrain. As we've seen here today, there are some amazing courses being built — it'll be an easy choice for many people coming from the outside.' Beyond new courses, the event also highlighted Golf Saudi's long-term commitment to growing the sport from the ground up. Dedicated programs and academies are now being developed throughout the Kingdom to nurture young talent and embed golf within the local culture — a critical step for any emerging golf nation. Saudi Arabia's new courses — including the coastal Shura Links on Shura Island, the desert-framed Laheq Golf Course along the Red Sea coast, and the alpine-inspired Trojena Northern Golf Course in NEOM — are being designed not just for playability but for global competition. Each is expected to host future tournaments, including events on the PIF Global Series, which resumes this weekend with the PIF Championship at London's Centurion Club. The fusion of golf and tourism is at the heart of the vision. By integrating world-class design with environmental sensitivity and destination appeal, Saudi Arabia is not only building venues but offering experiences tailored to the modern golfer. 'The goal is to reimagine how golf is experienced, shared, and celebrated — both locally and globally,' said one stakeholder during the event. 'This is not about copying what exists elsewhere. It's about creating something distinctly Saudi, with universal appeal.' PIF Future Fairways will continue to appear at all PIF Global Series tournaments through 2025 and into 2026, serving as a traveling exhibition of Saudi Arabia's golf transformation. For now, Tuesday's London event delivered a clear message: Saudi Arabia is not just joining the global golf stage — it's setting the direction for its future.
The Sun
16-06-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Carlota Ciganda ends long LPGA title drought with win at Meijer LPGA Classic
SPANISH stalwart Carlota Ciganda returned to the LPGA winner's circle after a lapse of more than 8½ years with a gritty victory at the Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give in Belmont, Michigan. Having started the final round in a six-way tie for the lead, Ciganda birdied the final two holes at Blythefield Country Club for a closing 67 and 16-under-par 272 total. The 35-year-old finished one shot clear of Korean Hye-Jin Choi, who closed with a 68. This was Ciganda's third LPGA title and her first since November 2016, when she won the Citi Banamex Lorena Ochoa Invitational in Mexico by two strokes. Her LPGA title drought had lasted eight years, seven months and two days. 'It feels amazing obviously, after all these years. I knew I could do it, but once the years keep going and you start getting older, you start doubting yourself,' said Ciganda, who has won eight times on the Ladies European Tour including last year's Spanish Open. Ciganda's two closing birdies came from close range, from one foot after a superb approach at the par-four 17th, and from four feet at the par-five 18th after finding the green in two. The final hole birdie avoided a playoff with playing partner Choi, who also made four but had crucially dropped a shot at the 17th. Ciganda noted that she loved the traditional, tree-lined Blythefield layout, as it reminded her of courses in her native Spain. 'It reminds me of where I'm from in the northern part of Spain. Very similar – lots of trees, peaceful. I love the golf course,' said the Arizona State alumna. Ciganda has now matched Beatriz Recari for the most LPGA victories by a Spanish player and is the oldest player to win this season at age 35 years and 14 days. 'For me, age is just a number. I don't feel as fresh as when I was 24, but I still feel I can compete and I can win out here. I love playing. I love Thursday to Sundays. I love competition,' said Ciganda, who is a seven-time European Solheim Cup team member and a three-time Olympian. American star Lexi Thompson showed that she is still a force to be reckoned with despite only playing a part-time schedule, contending for the title until two late bogeys on 16 and 17. The 11-time LPGA winner settled for joint fourth place on 13-under-par 275 with France's Celine Boutier and Denmark's Nanna Koerstz Madsen. 'It's my favourite event on the schedule. The fans are amazing and come out and support women's golf, and that's what we want,' said Thompson, who won this event in 2015 and lost a playoff to compatriot Lilia Vu last year. Another Korean, Somi Lee, shot a superb closing 65 to climb up into third place on 14-under-par 274. The stars of the LPGA Tour will now head to Texas for the third Major of the 2025 season, the KPMG Women's PGA Championship at Fields Ranch East at PGA Frisco.
The Sun
16-06-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Carlota Ciganda ends long LPGA title drought
SPANISH stalwart Carlota Ciganda returned to the LPGA winner's circle after a lapse of more than 8½ years with a gritty victory at the Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give in Belmont, Michigan. Having started the final round in a six-way tie for the lead, Ciganda birdied the final two holes at Blythefield Country Club for a closing 67 and 16-under-par 272 total. The 35-year-old finished one shot clear of Korean Hye-Jin Choi, who closed with a 68. This was Ciganda's third LPGA title and her first since November 2016, when she won the Citi Banamex Lorena Ochoa Invitational in Mexico by two strokes. Her LPGA title drought had lasted eight years, seven months and two days. 'It feels amazing obviously, after all these years. I knew I could do it, but once the years keep going and you start getting older, you start doubting yourself,' said Ciganda, who has won eight times on the Ladies European Tour including last year's Spanish Open. Ciganda's two closing birdies came from close range, from one foot after a superb approach at the par-four 17th, and from four feet at the par-five 18th after finding the green in two. The final hole birdie avoided a playoff with playing partner Choi, who also made four but had crucially dropped a shot at the 17th. Ciganda noted that she loved the traditional, tree-lined Blythefield layout, as it reminded her of courses in her native Spain. 'It reminds me of where I'm from in the northern part of Spain. Very similar – lots of trees, peaceful. I love the golf course,' said the Arizona State alumna. Ciganda has now matched Beatriz Recari for the most LPGA victories by a Spanish player and is the oldest player to win this season at age 35 years and 14 days. 'For me, age is just a number. I don't feel as fresh as when I was 24, but I still feel I can compete and I can win out here. I love playing. I love Thursday to Sundays. I love competition,' said Ciganda, who is a seven-time European Solheim Cup team member and a three-time Olympian. American star Lexi Thompson showed that she is still a force to be reckoned with despite only playing a part-time schedule, contending for the title until two late bogeys on 16 and 17. The 11-time LPGA winner settled for joint fourth place on 13-under-par 275 with France's Celine Boutier and Denmark's Nanna Koerstz Madsen. 'It's my favourite event on the schedule. The fans are amazing and come out and support women's golf, and that's what we want,' said Thompson, who won this event in 2015 and lost a playoff to compatriot Lilia Vu last year. Another Korean, Somi Lee, shot a superb closing 65 to climb up into third place on 14-under-par 274. The stars of the LPGA Tour will now head to Texas for the third Major of the 2025 season, the KPMG Women's PGA Championship at Fields Ranch East at PGA Frisco.
The Star
16-06-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Spaniard Carlota Ciganda ends long LPGA title drought with gritty win at Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give
GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN - JUNE 15: Carlota Ciganda of Spain reacts on the 18th green after winning the Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give 2025 at Blythefield Country Club on June 15, 2025 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Photo by- LPGA BELMONT, Michigan, USA: Spanish stalwart Carlota Ciganda returned to the LPGA winner's circle after a lapse of more than eight-and-a-half years with a gritty victory at the Can Belmont, Michigan. Having started the final round in a six-way tie for the lead, Ciganda birdied the final two holes at Blythefield Country Club for a closing 67 and 16-under-par 272 total. The 35-year-old finished one shot clear of Korean Hye-Jin Choi, who closed with a 68. This was Ciganda's third LPGA title and her first since November 2016, when she won the Citi Banamex Lorena Ochoa Invitational in Mexico by two strokes. Her LPGA title drought had lasted eight years, seven months and two days. "It feels amazing obviously, after all these years. I knew I could do it, but once the years keep going and you start getting older, you start doubting yourself," said Ciganda, who has won eight times on the Ladies European Tour including last year's Spanish Open. Ciganda's two closing birdies came from close range, from one foot after a superb approach at the the par-four 17th, and from four feet at the par-five 18th after finding the green in two. The final hole birdie avoided a playoff with playing partner Choi, who also made four but had crucially dropped a shot at the 17th. Ciganda noted that she loved the traditional, tree-lined Blythefield layout, as it reminded her of courses in her native Spain. 'It reminds me of where I'm from in the northern part of Spain. Very similar – lots of trees, peaceful. I love the golf course,' said the Arizona State alumna. Ciganda has now matched Beatriz Recari for the most LPGA victories by a Spanish player and is the oldest player to win this season at age 35 years and 14 days. "For me, age is just a number. I don't feel as fresh as when I was 24, but I still feel I can compete and I can win out here. I love playing. I love Thursday to Sundays. I love competition," said Ciganda, who is a seven-time European Solheim Cup team member and a three-time Olympian. American star Lexi Thompson showed that she is still a force to be reckoned with despite only playing a part-time schedule, contending for the title until two late bogeys on 16 and 17. The 11-time LPGA winner settled for joint fourth place on 13-under-par 275 with France's Celine Boutier and Denmark's Nanna Koerstz Madsen. "It's my favourite event on the schedule. "The fans are amazing and come out and support women's golf, and that's what we want," said Thompson, who won this event in 2015 and lost a playoff to compatriot Lilia Vu last year. Another Korean, Somi Lee, shot a superb closing 65 to climb up into third place on 14-under-par 274. The stars of the LPGA Tour will now head to Texas for the third Major of the 2025 season, the KPMG Women's PGA Championship at Fields Ranch East at PGA Frisco. - Ladies Professional Golfers Association
The Sun
16-06-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Ciganda ends LPGA title drought with Meijer Classic win
SPAIN 's Carlota Ciganda ended her eight-and-a-half year title drought with a one-shot victory at the Meijer LPGA Classic in Michigan on Sunday. The veteran Spaniard, who had been part of a six-way tie for the lead after Saturday's third round, closed with a five-under-par 67 to clinch her first win since winning in Mexico in 2016. Ciganda snatched the lead to move to 16 under after back-to-back birdies on the 17th and 18th holes, edging her just in front of South Korea's Choi Hye-jin, who shot a closing 68 to finish on 15 under. Lee Somi was third after a dazzling seven-under-par 65 to finish on 14 under, ahead of three players tied on 13 under including France's Celine Boutier and US star Lexi Thompson. But the day belonged to Ciganda, whose round included seven birdies with two bogeys. 'Winning is always very special,' Ciganda said afterwards. '(The last) was in Mexico in 2016. I wanted to win in the US and I think winning against all these really good players -- it's very special. 'I think a lot of mental work that I put in on these months and years. I think when you win it's when you realize all the hard work pays off.'
