Azahara Muñoz and Carlota Ciganda, essential references of the Andalucía Costa del Sol Open de España to be held at the RCG Guadalmina between September 21 and 24, affirm as a duo, in line with their brilliantly similar sporting careers, that “we are very motivated by the Open de España and we are going all out”.
Serious contenders for the title that Azahara Muñoz added to her list of winners a year ago -thus becoming the first Spaniard in history to achieve it-, the two golfers are the spearhead of a score of Spaniards who will face fierce opposition from the best in continental golf.
This year is when I really play at home,” says Azahara Muñoz, who trained at RCG Guadalmina, “but last year, with all my people at Aloha, it was an unforgettable experience. I love playing at home, it’s an added pressure, but I prefer it because it motivates me a lot”.
A local player par excellence, the Malaga golfer warns that “people think that I have played in Guadalmina more than I really have, since I left here at the age of 14 for the Blume National School, and from there to the United States. In any case, and although I have played the North course more than the South, I have done a lot of rounds at Guadalmina and I know the course well. I don’t remember what my best result here has been, but I am sure I will fight with all my strength to be up there on Sunday”.
Azahara Muñoz predicts that it is possible to win with 12 under par “but this course is easier at first glance than it really is. The greens can give a lot of play and making putts will be the key to everything,
Regarding her game, the golfer from Malaga considers that “I am hitting the ball better, finally! I feel much better in recent weeks, recovering my distance. After some very complicated months, it seems that the sensations are starting to be better.
Carlota Ciganda: “I want to win this Spanish Open, it is one of my unfinished business”.
For her part, Carlota Ciganda says she is delighted to be able to tackle one of her unfinished business: “I really like playing in Spain, I like the course and I want to win the Spanish Open. Among my priorities, in the set of all the tournaments, it is in the Top 3 or Top 5 of my aspirations at the moment, but it is a subject that does not obsess me. I have won the Spanish Championships in all categories and winning the Spanish Open would be the perfect culmination”.
The Navarre golfer, who was part of the Spanish golf team together with Azahara Muñoz in the last Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro 2016, considers that “I’m looking forward after resting before Evian. I needed it because I was exhausted. It is positive to have this pressure of playing at home, I have an incredible desire to do well and also many friends are coming”.
Carlota Ciganda agrees with her friend Azahara that “the course is good. There will be plenty of birdies and the key will be the putt, although it will not be as easy as some people think”, before highlighting that, Solheim Cup player par excellence in recent editions, “I really missed Azahara in this year’s tournament held in the United States. I have very cool memories of playing with Azahara in the Solheim, they have been two incredible editions playing together. In Match Play she is a golfer with a lot of grit and everyone wants to have her on their team. The Americans played very well, although we also gave our best. It’s always hard to lose.
Perfect connoisseurs of the situation of women’s professional golf worldwide and the predominance of the American Tour over the European, both agree that “it would be great that, as discussed at the last meeting of players, the LET could be like a satellite circuit of the LPGA, a good solution. The players need to play continuously, even if it is for less money, but to be active. This way, European golfers would do very well to start in Europe and then make the jump to the United States.”
ProAm and recognition of Azahara Muñoz
Yesterday was played at the RCG Guadalmina the proam prior to the start, today, of the Open de España Femenino. Among the participants in the competition of professionals and amateurs were the president of the Provincial Council of Malaga, Elías Bendodo, and the mayor of Benahavís, José Antonio Mena.
At the awards ceremony, Azahara Muñoz was presented with a plaque of recognition for her career and promotion of golf tourism in Costa del Sol, in a ceremony attended by the manager of Tourism and Planning Costa del Sol, Arturo Bernal, and Manuel Ortega, on behalf of Turismo Andaluz.
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