Dubai-based pro Chiara Noja got off to a fast start at the Aramco Team Series – Jeddah after posting an impressive three under par 69 in the first round of the innovative tournament at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club.
With four birdies and just one dropped shot in King Abdullah Economic City, Noja finds herself just four off the lead in the indivual format, while her team, which includes Captain Sanna Nuutinen, Linette Littau Durr Holmslykke and amateur Rahmi Kemalawati, sit on 10 under after the first 18 holes, nine strokes back from Team Hall at the top of the leaderboard.
“A great round out there today, I definitely left some opportunities on the course, but I had lots of fun with the team,” said Noja. “The format is really awesome, it’s really cool that they split the event into two categories with the indivual and team formats, which means your game is not too affected by it, but at the same time you get the privileges and fun of playing in a team. I had a great time out there and the weather was really nice as we were out early!”
Noja joined Team Nuutinen after being selected by the Finnish star at the Draft on Monday night. With each pro only getting one pick before the other two players are selected via a random draw, the 15-year old was delighted to be in the minds of established Ladies European Tour pros.
“Being picked was a really nice confidence booster,” said Noja, who was also wanted by Leonie Harm. “I didn’t necessarily expect it, so to have two players sort of want to select me was really nice, and it gave me a really warm feeling, especially to have established players on the Ladies European Tour want me on their team. I played with Sanna at the Dubai Moonlight Classic so it was really nice to see her again. She’s great, she was really nice to me in Dubai and the vibe out there between the team was great. I had a blast today.”
Noja’s form on course today was even more impressive when you remember that she is carrying an injury. The youngster pulled the tendons in her shoulder while preparing for last week’s Saudi Ladies International, but revealed although still not 100 percent, she is on the mend.
“We have had some improvements with my injury, but I’m not in the clear yet,” she said. “We’ve been working on it around the tournament, and learning how to play with it. We came to the conclusion that swinging it softer and more controlled does help in easing the pain a bit and avoiding those nasty positions that might trigger it. The physiotherapists from the LET have been a great help, so we have made some improvements. I’ve survived a week and half of it, so I’m sure two more days of tournament golf aren’t going to make it any worse.”
