Last week in the US, Dubai-based, former Emirates Golf Club member, Alison Muirhead, who now represents Jumeirah Golf Estates, played with Olympic Gold Medalist and Rolex World Number One Nelly Korda, teaming up in the $1 million ARAMCO Team Series – New York on the Ladies European Tour (LET).
The format was a four player Team event played over 54 holes, selected by a Draft with 28 Team Captains, each choosing a player for their first pick. A random draw was made for the third player and the Team was made up of an invited amateur.
Korda picked Ursula Wikstrom as her Draft pick, with Alison as the random draw pick and Jeffrey Capazzi as the amateur invite.
The prize fund for the Team event was $800,000 and $200,000 for the Individual event.
The Individual event was won by England’s Charley Hull and the Team event was won by Nelly’s sister, Jessica with professionals Karolin Lampert, Lina Boqvist and amateur Alexandra O’Laughlin.
Nelly and Alison’s Team finished tied 13th, on 31 under par, 10 shots behind the winners, with Alison and her Team pros earning just over $6,400 each, with the winning Team pros earning over $47,000 each.
Gulf News caught up with Alison on her return home to Dubai.
How was your week overall?
I thoroughly enjoyed the week. I thought the format was a great idea as it’s so different playing as a team together with the individual event alongside it. I am looking forward to playing in the next ARAMCO Team Series in Saudi Arabia in a couple of weeks’ time.
What was the World Number One like to play with?
Nelly was great fun to play with and I learnt a great deal from her. It was a fantastic experience to play with the best lady golfer on the planet as we speak. It was also great to play with Ursula Wikstrom and the amateur Jeffery. It was so much fun to play in front of crowds again, it has been a while.
Did she talk much to you on and off the golf course?
Nelly was very out-going and fun to be with. We talked about family, our backgrounds and hobbies and cheered each other on as a team.
How was her golf game?
Nelly came second in the Individual event. As you would expect, her game was impressive. Her overall game is so consistent with very few weaknesses. I admired her iron play into the greens and especially her short game. It’s definitely a standard to aspire to.
Were you comfortable playing with the World Number One?
I was somewhat nervous at the start, but I became much more comfortable as the week moved on and I really enjoyed the challenge.
What impressed you about her play and her game and what did you learn from playing with her?
Her calm attitude and incredible consistency impressed me hugely. She was so consistent and she maintains a steady demeanour. Her attitude to compete at her best does not change even when fortune is not going her way. She does not get too excited nor gets down on herself.
