Noja relishing tough test in Saudi
15-year-old makes second professional start at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club
Could 15-year-old sensation Chiara Noja have picked a better time to turn professional? After making her pro debut under the lights at last week’s Dubai Moonlight Classic, the talented youngster is set for another huge week of golf at the groundbreaking Saudi Ladies International presented by Public Investment Fund from November 4-7.
The tournament, which boasts a prize fund of $1m (Dh 3.67m), broke new ground last year by becoming the first professional sports event held for women in the Kingdom.
This year’s event welcome back defending champion Emily Kristine Pedersen, who also won the Aramco Team Series as well as the individual format, and former World No.1 Lydia Ko, who is making her first appearance at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club.
It’s a field any professional golfer would be honoured to be a part of, let alone a player who is making just her second professional start.
Great way to start
“It’s been a great way to start my professional career,” said Noja, who is also set to play in the Aramco Team Series - Jeddah next week. “I’m so honoured and blessed to be able to have these opportunities, and have people believe in me. I’m really looking forward to teeing it up at Royal Greens, it’s another amazing opportunity.
“It’s a beautiful golf course, and a strategic course, especially when the wind is blowing. Finding the right lines and club choice are going to be pivotal this week in the sense of making the right decisions when the wind picks up. It’s going to be a tough test but one I’m really looking forward to.
“Apart from that, it’s all about seeing how the game is on the day, and making the most out of it.”
With a respectable pro debut under her belt, Noja remains calm and confident with her game, as she looks to build on the lessons learnt over the Faldo Course with a strong showing in King Abdullah Economic City.
Lot of positives
“Lot of positives to take away from the Dubai Moonlight Classic,” she said. “It was a wonderful experience, and probably the perfect place to make my debut as a professional. We learned a lot throughout the week, such as playing my first event without a distance measuring device; that was a change, but something we’re going to gain more experience on in the future.
“I’m looking forward to playing this week, and hopefully making a couple more cuts!”
Noja gets her tournament underway at 7.13am GST alongside Emma Cabrera Bello and Marta Martin.