A life-changing-week at Aramco Saudi Ladies International
To finish second is a dream come true, says Kristyna Napoleaova
What a week and what a final round at the 2022 Aramco Saudi International at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club.
I was in the penultimate group for Sunday’s final round played in threeballs, which probably helped me. I was a little out of the spotlight in my group. This was only the fourth LET event of my rookie season.
After a front nine of level-par 36, I dropped a shot on hole 12, with a three putt. I saw my name slipping down the leaderboard. Three birdies followed on 13, 14 and 16 with pars on the remaining holes.
My shot of the week was definitely on hole 16, the signature hole along the sea front at Royal Greens, with a seven iron to less than a foot for a tap in. It was blowing hard left to right off the sea when we played, so I was aiming into the sea and trusting my swing.
It worked a treat and with a bit more encouragement from the crowds behind the green, it could have even gone in for an ace.
I have only just finished my round, and I have not a clue where I will go in the LET’s Race to Costa del Sol rankings.
Looking at the LET website, I was reminded that my career earnings before this week stood at 3,435 euros. I look forward to seeing the impact of my tied-second spot.
It was always my target, when I got my LET card last year, to strive for more playing opportunities. That is what life as a professional golfer is all about, and I am excited to hear about my new rank on the LET, when that happens. I told my coach Jamie McConnell after last week in Kenya, “Let’s go to Saudi and win.”
And look how we did.
It was great to have Jamie with me in the first half of the week, to have a familiar face on the range is always reassuring.
I also checked the women’s rankings prior to this week, with Anna Nordquist in 16th and Georgia Hall in 25th. These are amongst the best players in the world playing in Saudi this week, and it will be interesting to see how they move.
Next for me is a flight back to Dubai and then off to South Africa for the next LET event, the Joburg Ladies Open and then to play in the SA Women’s Open in Cape Town.
I love it in South Africa so I cannot wait.