‘I had a great time out there’ says Dubai hotshot Chiara Noja after first professional outing at Dubai Moonlight Classic

A three over par 75 might not have been the perfect ending to Chiara Noja’s first professional start at the Moonlight Classic, but the Dubai-based sensation left the tournament safe in the knowledge that her game, and mindset, had improved since last year’s edition.

“I am in a better place than I was previously,” she said. “I do need to work on certain aspects of my game heading into the next few tournaments, but I’m pretty positive. I can score and transitioned back into tournament golf nicely, especially back here on the Ladies European Tour.

“I can’t expect to wake up and become Nelly Korda, but I just need to make sure the processes are in place and I’m 100% professional while doing it. I’ve done a good job of ensuring I’m in the right headspace and kept my cool out there. Now I’m a professional there is a little bit of added pressure, but I’ve dealt with that pretty well.

Two birdies were cancelled out with three bogeys and a double on the final night under the lights at the Faldo Course, which saw Noja finish in a share of 47th.

So how did she sum up her first outing as a professional?

“A journey,” she said “I think I had a great time out there. It’s a beautiful golf course, lovely environment. I think I played a lot better than I scored over the last three days, but I struggled a little bit converting those opportunities. I can’t walk off too disappointed, it was my first one.”