Dubai-based teenager Chiara Noja bounced back into contention at the Aramco Saudi Ladies International Presented by PIF after a bogey-free 68 saw her soar up the leaderboard on day two at Riyadh Golf Club.
The youngster, who won her first Ladies European Tour title in the Kingdom in 2022, carded a two over par 74 in round one, with an eagle cancelled out by a double bogey and two bogeys in difficult conditions.
But she quickly put that behind her this morning, signing for an impressive blemish-free four under par 68, which included four birdies, to finish the day at two under par in a share of 12th.
“It was super windy yesterday, so the course was playing a lot tougher,” she said.
“I was really bad off the tee today, I'm not even gonna lie. It was it was quite horrendous at times.
“But my recovery shots were up there, my putting really kept me alive, my short game. And, you know, I tried to stay really committed to everything. I think, coming off of an injury last season, I'm really struggling mentally a little bit.
“I think today and yesterday were really important in the trends of like, committing to things and kind of accepting that bad shots are going to happen. And I think I did a pretty decent job of that.
“Holed some putts, left about 20 of them an inch short. So could have been lower. Really grateful with how today went. Good start to the season. Absolutely.”
Noja is making her first start since recovering from a shoulder injury that saw her skip LPGA Qualifying School and the season-ending Andalucia Costa Del Sol Open De Espana on the Ladies European Tour in November last year.
In fact, her last competitive start before her return in Saudi Arabia came at this week’s host venue in October for the Aramco Team Series Presented by PIF – Riyadh.
“Riyadh Golf Club was the last golf course I played last year before I finally called it quits at the injury so I think it'd be a fun little 360 moment to go and win,” she said.
“I'm going to go into tomorrow and just approach things the same way I did today, hopefully have some better tee shots and kind of stay patient.
“First event of the season, you know, my goal was make the cut and then see how it goes. And I think I'm going to keep following that strategy.”
Patty Tavatanakit remains at the top of the leaderboard on eight under par after following up a first round 66 with a steady 70, while Nicole Broch Estrup and Manon De Roey share second on six under par.
