Golf Saudi Ambassador Carlota Ciganda of Spain triumphed at Round Two of the Aramco Team Series event in Florida, taking place at the formidable Trump International Golf Club, West Palm Beach after posting a final round of 73 to secure her seventh Ladies European Tour and first, Aramco Team Series (individual) title.
The European Solheim Cup star finished one-shot clear – on two-under-par – ahead of Klara Davidson Spilkova of Czech Republic.
Lydia Ko, the world number three, finished two shots further back on level par alongside LET winner Olivia Cowan highlighting the testing nature of the course with only two players finishing below par
Ciganda has now secured crucial ‘Race to Costa Del Sol’ points – in a special year for her home country of Spain with the Solheim Cup taking place in Andalucía in September.
The Arizona State University alumnus intrinsically played an important role for Team Europe, with victories coming in 2013, 2019 and 2021 respectively.
Ciganda said: “To win is always special. It’s not easy to win nowadays, there is a lot of good players and a lot of youngsters coming in very strong so yeah to come here and win, I think it’s big also with the likes of Lexi, Lydia, and Alison. It feels very special.
“I mean, since I came here and played this golf course, I thought patience was the key for this week. I think it’s a very tricky golf course.
Pretty much every hole has a creek or a lake or a hazard. So I think it’s a very tough golf course. I think it’s a great ball-striking golf course, you have to hit it to the right spot. So I suggest, be patient and try to give yourself birdie chances.
“I played really good all three days. My putting was great as well. I’m just very happy to get it done.”
Team Roussin secured victory at the Aramco Team Championship team event consisting of Captain Pauline Roussin, Nurria Iturrioz, Solheim cup legend Trish Johnson and amateur Michael Bickford at 25-under-par.
France’s Pauline Roussin has been oozing with consistency on the Aramco Team Series having now recorded back-to-back victories following her individual triumph in the Aramco Team Series presented by PIF – Singapore.
Roussin touched on the win by saying, “It was a lot of fun. We really got along, and we had fun out there, despite how much of a challenge the golf course is and now here we are with the trophy. It’s pretty cool… I’m proud of this team, and I would not have wished to play it with any other people”.
Three-time Ladies European Tour winner and fellow team member Nurria Iturrioz also added to Team Roussin’s strong team connection, “The team was great. Thank you, Pauline, again for picking me… It was really fun, really great. I’m really grateful for everything!”
Solheim Cup legend Trish Johnson was also a fundamental part of Team Roussin’s win and also detailed, “I mean, I’m extremely grateful. It was brilliant watching these two, actually, Michael [amateur] played great, I have to say.
He really did contribute a lot. I did a little bit yesterday, didn’t do too much today, but these two really were fabulous.
“It doesn’t matter if you win by ten or you win by one. If you win, you win, and that’s all that counts it was a great experience!”
The third stop on the Aramco Team Series will be at Centurion Club from 14-16 July before events in Hong Kong and Riyadh to conclude the 2023 series.
For further information on the Aramco Team Series please visit aramcoteamseries.com or follow the event on social media @aramco_series.
