Issuu

ROUND 1

WEDNESDAY

OCTOBER 27, 2021

ISSUE 1

SPOTLIGHT SEEKERS

A decorated Thai trio headline Dubai’s 15th LET stop but won’t have the limelight all to themselves at Emirates Golf Club

By Kent Gray – Editor, Golf Digest Middle East

igh-powered but low-key sibling rivalry headlined by a former world No.1. The runaway moneylist leader. A Dubai-based teen set for her professional debut. The welcome return of a pair of Ladies European Tour legends to Emirates Golf Club. And fans. Welcome back to the fans! The emirate’s annual LET stop never fails for a storyline and the 15th Dubai Moonlight Classic presented by EGA is no different. Much focus on The Faldo will centre around a trio of Thais headlined by Atthaya Thitikul, the owner of a world record as the youngest winner of the professional tournament, four LET titles and a seemingly unassailable lead in the LET’s season-long Race to Costa del Sol. The 18-year-old world No. 28 was no doubt inspired as a junior by the Jutanugarn sisters, 25-year-old Ariya and the former world No.1’s older sister (by two years) Moriya. UAE fans, unable to attend last year due to pandemic restrictions but allowed back in 2021 on the Thursday and Friday of this week’s 54-hole championship, are set to be wowed by the sisters too. Ariya Jutanugarn became the first Thai to win a major when she captured the 2016 Women’s British Open. She has since won the 2018 U.S. Open among her 12 LPGA Tour victories, two of them secured this year. Moriya, meanwhile, was the LPGA Tour Rookie-of-the-Year in 2013 and has gone on to claim two titles on the U.S. circuit, the most recent of which, the Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational, was

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emotionally shared with her younger sister in July. Chiara Noja’s professional debut is another noteworthy narrative, partly due to the fact the German now calls Dubai home but mostly because she is just 15. Noja earned an invite to last year’s Dubai Moonlight Classic and will be keen to cash-in on another sponsors’ exemption and the experience of finishing 55th in the 56 player pro field last year following rounds of 77-86-73. While Aussie Minjee Lee won’t be back to defend her title, legendary Dame Laura Davies – the holder of a record 45 LET titles - and two-time Solheim Cup winning captain Catriona Matthew have returned to their beloved Emirates Golf Club. There is also a bevy of 2021 LET winners on display with Czech and Swiss Open champion Thitikul joined by Stephanie Kyriacou (Big Green Egg Open), Lee-Anne Pace (Investec SA Women’s Open), Marianne Skarpnord (ATS – London), Pia Babnik (Jabra Ladies Open) and Pajaree Anannarukarn (ISPS Handa World Invitational). Mix in tempting Food Truck fare on Thursday and Friday, free-taster golf lessons, kid-friendly family entertainment and music (even a saxophonist) and the €260,000 event promises to be a rich and rewarding experience for players and spectators alike, one of the highlights of Dubai’s autumn social calendar. As the world’s only floodlit professional tournament, Dubai is once again #In The Spotlight. Flick the switch on the lights, cue the cameras and let the action begin. ◼

SIBLING RIVALRY The sisters Jutanugarn, Ariya and Moriya, can’t wait to explore Dubai. But first, the focus is The Faldo’s famed nightlife. PAGE 2

ATTHAYA THITIKUL Why the Thai teen isn’t getting carried away with her runaway Costa del Sol lead. PAGE 3

ROUND 1 TEE TIMES Plan your Faldo viewing pleasure with all the first round groupings. PAGE 5

CHIARA NOJA The JGE-attached German will make her pro debut at the 15th Dubai Moonlight Classic - aged just 15! PAGE 6

PATRON & OFFICIAL PUBLISHER

@Dubai_Moonlight #InTheSpotlight #MoonlightClassic dubaimoonlightclassic.com

PREVIEWS

Dubai Moonlight Classic October 27-29, 2021 Faldo course, Emirates Golf Club

56 54

PLAYERS HOLES (NO CUT)

Bounce back W

hen Ariya Jutanugarn continued the 2021 theme of star players ending surprisingly long title droughts at the Honda LPGA Thailand in March, she revealed the stress of trying to live up to her early career success. “I don’t know how many times I told my psych coach, ‘You know what, I want to rest, I want to stop for a while’,” the former world No.1 revealed after ending a 1015 day drought dating back to her 2018 Scottish Open triumph. Thankfully for the women’s game, and fans set to flood the Faldo for the 15th Dubai Moonlight Classic, Jutanugarn’s swing and performance coaches collectively talked her around. “I would say without them I am not who I am.” Without the positive intervention, the 25-year-old Thai certainly wouldn’t have gone on to back up her 11th LPGA title in Thailand with a 12th in tandem with older sister Moriya at the Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational in July. Now the world No. 23 has turned her attention to another challenge; floodlit golf. “I view it as another experience that I will have to learn from. I did wonder, how am I going to see the ball but I have asked players and they have told me you can see the ball fine because of the floodlights, and I also wondered about reading the greens but this is just an experience to learn from that I am looking forward to. “Dubai it is one of my dream destinations. I have the tournament of course but on Saturday and Sunday, I am planning to do as much as I can to see around the city.” ◼

Wednesday, October 27 4pm shotgun

Thursday, October 28 4pm shotgun

Friday, October 29 4pm shotgun

PRO-AM ACE Milton McCormack, playing for the Kelsey Macdonald-captained JA Resorts & Hotels II team, made a hole-in-one with his very first shot in Monday’s Pro-Am. The JA The Resort GC member and Jebel Ali Golf Society (JAGS) lynchpin aced the 143yard 8th with a sweet 7 iron.

Dubai LET Roll of Honour 2020 Minjee Lee (AUS) 2019 Nuria Iturrioz (ESP) 2017 Angel Yin (USA) 2016 Shanshan Feng (CHN) 2015 Shanshan Feng (CHN) 2014 Shanshan Feng (CHN) 2013 Pornanong Phatlum (THA) 2012 Shanshan Feng (CHN) 2011 Lexi Thompson (USA) 2010 Iben Tinning (DNK) 2009 In-Kyung Kim (KOR) 2008 Anja Monke (GER) 2007 Annika Sörenstam (SWE) 2006 Annika Sörenstam (SWE)

Editor-in-Chief Obaid Humaid Al Tayer

Chief Commercial Officer Anthony Milne

Group Editor and Managing Partner Ian Fairservice

Publisher David Burke

Editor Kent Gray Art Director Clarkwin Cruz Images Tristan Jones/LET, Getty Images, Supplied by Falcon Associates

General Manager – Production S. Sunil Kumar Assistant Production Manager Binu Purandaran

Head Office: Media One Tower, PO Box 2331, Dubai, UAE; Tel +971 4 427 3000; Fax +971 4 428 2270 Dubai Media City: Office 508, 5th Floor, Building 8, Dubai, UAE; Tel +971 4 390 3550; Fax +971 4 390 4845 Abu Dhabi: PO Box 43072, UAE; Tel +971 2 657 3493 London: Acre House, 11/15 William Road, London NW1 3ER, UK; E-mail: motivateuk@motivate.ae

Night Excite

oriya Jutanugarn was Rookie-of-the-Year on the LPGA Tour in 2013 and has gone on to capture two titles on the U.S. circuit, the latest in tandem with younger sister Ariya as recently as July. There have been seven top 10s in major championships, two of them this year, and other highlights such as becoming one half of just the second set of sisters to win LPGA Tour events, after Charlotta and Annika Sörenstam. In other words, Moriya Jutanugarn is well versed with this professional golf gig. But there is always something new to learn, extraordinary events to experience. Welcome then to the Dubai Moonlight Classic, the world’s only day-night pro tournament. “I’ve played for fun with my friends in Thailand under the floodlights just once,” Jutanugarn said. “My whole life I’ve been playing in the daylight so with my experience under the lights is a little harder, especially on the green as you can’t see the slopes the way I can usually see it in the daylight. I think playing under the floodlights will be very different and quite fun.” So too will be exploring Dubai after the 54-holer. “It’s very nice and exciting to be here, it looks amazing. I can’t wait to see everything in Dubai. It’s been something I want to do and have been planning for a while. I am looking forward to going on the Dubai Safari and dinner in the sky. We’ve been planning for this and I’m so excited to be here.” ◼

NEWS

SPEEDING THROUGH

tthaya Thitikul was just 14 years, four months and 19 days old when she entered golf lore as the youngest winner of a professional tournament. It seems the now 18-year-old Thai has been hurriedly distancing herself from the competition ever since that magical week at the Ladies European Thailand Championship in July 2017. Thitikul now counts four LET titles to her name, two of which have come in a thus far phenomenal 2021. The triumphs at the Czech Open in June and the Swiss Open in September plus another 10 top10s saw her arrive in Dubai with a 1400 point – and seemingly unassailable - lead over Sanna Nuutinen in the LET’s Race to Costa del Sol. With three individual events - including this week’s Dubai Moonlight Classic - until the end of the season, it seems European No.1 will soon be etched into her impressive résumé. Not that Thitikul, who has skyrocketed from 308 to 28 in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings, is getting ahead of herself. This is golf after all, a game that only ever promises the unexpected. “Everyone knows the situation with the Race to Costa del Sol. I’m not focusing on it because every week is not the same… especially this week [under lights],” Thitikul said. “I’m working on something with my putting which I’m not confident on, but it should be okay if I adjust it. Hopefully it’s good.” Thitikul has not played since Switzerland but has not sat about during her month away from the LET. “I was still doing golf. I spent 14 days in a hotel for quarantine when I was back home, but I was still working with my coach – he came in from Bangkok. Then I had a week before I left [for] Dubai and I was busy working with sponsors on photoshoots. It was nice to take some time out of competitions and get some rest ahead of the end of the season. “It’s nice to have the three events [Dubai, Saudi and the Andalucia Costa Del Sol Open De Espana] in a row because I already took that time off after Switzerland. It’s nice to be back and here in Dubai – especially with this different event and there is no cut. I hope to keep the momentum going for this first event. “I haven’t been to Dubai before. This is my first time playing night golf as well. Hopefully it will turn out to be a good week.” ◼

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ROUND 1 TEE TIMES – WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27

DRAW SHEET

Plan your evening watching your favourite players with this guide to Wednesday’s tee times.

1. TIME 16:00 • HOLE 1

6. TIME 16:00 • HOLE 6

11. TIME 16:00 • HOLE 11

16. TIME 16:00 • HOLE 15

2. TIME 16:00 • HOLE 2

7. TIME 16:00 • HOLE 7

12. TIME 16:00 • HOLE 12

17. TIME 16:00 • HOLE 16

3. TIME 16:00 • HOLE 3

8. TIME 16:00 • HOLE 8

13. TIME 16:10 • HOLE 12

18. TIME 16:00 • HOLE 17

4. TIME 16:00 • HOLE 4

9. TIME 16:00 • HOLE 9

5. TIME 16:00 • HOLE 5

10. TIME 16:00 • HOLE 10

◼ Ariya Jutanugarn (THA) ◼ Atthaya Thitikul (THA) ◼ Stephanie Kyriacou (AUS) ◼ Carmen Alonso (ESP) ◼ Manon De Roey (BEL) ◼ Gabriella Cowley (ENG) ◼ Karolin Lampert (GER) ◼ Christine Wolf (AUT) ◼ Lydia Hall (WAL) ◼ Olivia Cowan (GER) ◼ Kylie Henry (SCO) ◼ Lee-Anne Pace (RSA) ◼ Chiara Noja (GER) ◼ Kim Metraux (SUI) ◼ Karoline Lund (NOR)

◼ Cloe Frankish (ENG) ◼ Chloe Williams (WAL) ◼ Caroline Hedwall (SWE)

◼ Pasqualle Coffa (NED) ◼ Anne-charlotte Mora (FRA) ◼ Tiia Koivisto (FIN)

◼ Sanna Nuutinen (FIN) ◼ Marianne Skarpnord (NOR) ◼ Pajaree Anannarukarn (THA) ◼ Eleanor Givens (ENG) ◼ Nuria Iturrioz (ESP) ◼ Whitney Hillier (AUS)

◼ Magdalena Simmermacher (ARG) ◼ Alice Hewson (ENG) ◼ Pia Babnik (SLO)

◼ Emma Grechi (FRA) ◼ Kristyna Napoleaova (CZE) ◼ Krista Bakker (FIN)

◼ Ursula Wikstrom (FIN) ◼ Johanna Gustavsson (SWE) ◼ Felicity Johnson (ENG) ◼ Maria Hernandez (ESP) ◼ Tvesa Malik (IND)

14. TIME 16:00 • HOLE 13 ◼ Jessica Karlsson (SWE) ◼ Michele Thomson (SCO) ◼ Liz Young (ENG)

15. TIME 16:00 • HOLE 14 ◼ Nicole Garcia (RSA) ◼ Kelsey Macdonald (SCO) ◼ Linda Wessberg (SWE)

◼ Diksha Dagar (IND) ◼ Agathe Sauzon (FRA) ◼ Alison Muirhead (SCO)

◼ Annabel Dimmock (ENG) ◼ Aditi Ashok (IND) ◼ Meghan MacLaren (ENG)

◼ Moriya Jutanugarn (THA) ◼ Maria Fassi (MEX) ◼ Esther Henseleit (GER)

19. TIME 16:00 • HOLE 18 ◼ Laura Davies (ENG) ◼ Catriona Matthew (SCO) ◼ Bronte Law (ENG)

LEGENDS

Captain Fantastic

or Catriona Matthew, nothing in her glittering career beats leading Europe to back-to-back Solheim Cup glory, not even winning her home open twice nor her major breakthrough at the 2009 Women’s British Open. Mind you, the rise and rise of Dubai as a golf destination is almost as implausible for the 52-year-old Scot. Matthew is one of the star turns for this week’s Dubai Moonlight Classic presented by EGA. She is no stranger to Emirates Golf Club but is looking forward to tackling the Faldo course under floodlights for the first time during the €260,000 Ladies European Tour event. “I love playing in Dubai. I came out for many years to the Dubai Ladies Masters event that was held at Emirates Golf Club on the Majlis course and loved it,” said Matthew. “I actually played the par 3 course there in an exhibition match under lights with Laura [Davies], Annika Sorenstam and Sophie Gustafson one year, and I am very much looking forward to playing the event this year and experiencing playing a full-length course under floodlights.” Matthews has won four LPGA Tour and six LET Tour events but victory has thus far eluded her in Dubai. Not that she needs a second invitation to return to the Emirate. “The players all used to love the Dubai Ladies Masters event. It

was for sure one that you would put on your schedule at the start of every year. “Dubai has always been very proactive in encouraging golf for women and has been a great supporter of the LET over many years. It is definitely seen as a destination. Women golfers from over the world want to come to so they can experience great conditioned golf courses, great weather and great food.” Team Europe secured a second Solheim Cup victory on US soil when they edged Pat Hurst’s Americans 15-13 at the Inverness Club in Toledo, Ohio, last month. It was a magic moment for Matthew. “Honestly, being Solheim Cup captain has been the highlight of my career. To have been fortunate enough to be the winning captain back-to-back has just been the icing on the cake. After Gleneagles, I thought hard whether I wanted to do it again and I enjoyed it so much I just had to give it another run, with the fact that Inverness Club had so many Scottish connections…course name, course designer it seemed it might have been written in the stars to win back-to-back.” One of the few things almost as unbelievable has been watching Dubai grow up around golf. “I first came to Dubai on a stopover to Australia in the mid 90’s. At that time, you got off the plane and had to walk to the terminal. There was nothing here, I then came back in 2006 to the Dubai Ladies Masters and the change was incredible, it was a proper city and the golf course, although still new, was excellent. “Present-day, Dubai is just a massive tourist destination with everything you could possibly want, numerous first-class hotels, shopping, golf, desert safaris, and it even has an indoor ski slope. The transformation from a quick 2-hour stopover for the plane to refuel to what it is today is truly remarkable.” ◼

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IN THE SPOTLIGHT: CHIARA NOJA

TEEN SPIRIT Of all the subplots at this week’s 15th Dubai Moonlight Classic, Chiara Noja’s decision to turn professional is the most intriguing. We caught up with the 15-year-old, Jumeirah Golf Estates-attached German ahead of her milestone moment at the €260,000 LET event.

t’s been a whirlwind since you landed in Dubai in October 2020. Take us back to what it was like to get last year’s invite into the Moonlight Classic? It was a little unexpected. I didn’t expect to get it but it was definitely a great opportunity because it introduced me to a world that I had never really been aware of before. You sort of see it on TV or on Instagram, but being able to play in that was really good for me. Some would say you are very young to be turning professional. You say? I am not! Kidding. I guess I am younger than most but I feel like I am ready and prepared for it. I’d rather not miss out on some of the opportunities that I have been given and I’m really looking forward to whatever comes at me next.

What did you take out of that Moonlight Classic debut, the highs and the learning points? Definitely the learning curve of it, developing that mental health aspect of golf. A lot of people think that just because you’re an athlete, you’re immune to it but you’re not. Especially golf because it is such an individual sport, you’re out there and you’re basically by yourself – the golf ball, the club and the hole - so if your mind and your thoughts aren’t in the right place, you’re definitely going to struggle. This year has involved a lot of confidence seeking, LET and LET access, trying to gain some confidence – which I have luckily. Share your tournament highlights since last year’s Moonlight Classic? Definitely The Flander’s on the LET Access in Belgium. That was a great experience because it was my first time leading a professional tournament, going into that final fight and playing for the win. That was an amazing experience. Sadly I finished second, not the end of the world even though I was hoping for that title. Sweden is another great tournament

I guess I am younger than most but I feel like I am ready and prepared for it. — CHIARA NOJA ON HER DECISION TO TURN PRO AT 15

and memory as well because I finished 8th and my game wasn’t at my best form but I fought my way through. The wind and weather were harsh too so going through that and securing those putts and making those up and downs was really great for me. Has Covid-19 impacted your season and did it expedite your decision to turn to pro? Yes, definitely, especially because I didn’t get to play the Junior Solheim Cup qualifiers, that was something I lost because of Covid. It’s nothing that I regret because I am looking forward to the stages that are to come. How did you get into golf? I was born in Berlin and moved to England in August of 2013, aged around seven. Both my parents were keen golfers so I grew up around the sport until one day I decided to give it a shot myself. But the love for the game really blossomed when I moved to England because I was surrounded by golf because my dad played a lot at that point. I guess I just learnt to love it. Who is your coach and what are you working on presently? I have different coaches to advise me on different things but you’re grinding away on everything. You’re never going to be perfect. My swing, I’m working on making everything more peaceful, especially because when you’re under pressure you don’t want to have any loose ends and not have things clicking at the wrong time. I’m definitely working on making things healthier because golf is very intense with the swing and body. I want to make sure my body is okay in 10-15 years to be able to deal with the sport. Were you not tempted by the more traditional route to pro golf via college in the U.S.? The U.S. collegiate system has never really been on my watch list… even

two, three years ago I was never inclined to go study in the States. I have a German passport which means my university education is free for me and realistically speaking, I would never live in the U.S. if I wasn’t playing golf. So personally for me, there is no point in studying something that I will not have a career in later. I do have very strong academics so I can still go into whatever I want to. I have always been interested in law. Are you being home-schooled now? I go to a British curriculum secondary school in Dubai. My school has a great support system in place and have a golf program which means I get picked up earlier out of school. My whole timetable is arranged and caters for me being abroad and me studying and having to catch up. I have study sessions integrated into my day with teacher support and online sessions and my lessons are recorded when I’m abroad, so it’s always a great support system to have. Especially with the support of my parents who are two very intelligent individuals. I can definitely rely on them for support as well. Your goal for your maiden event as pro? I think for me I don’t want to go in with too many expectations. Go into it present and level-headed and focusing on whatever comes my way. I’m not trying to force anything. Just letting it happen and just chase whatever I can chase. The LPGA Tour is definitely going to be the goal but that will not happen for a few years because of my age. I’m too young for Q-school but maybe we can make things happen, but I definitely want to try and get my first professional win in. That would be very cool for me. I think it is also important for me to just develop as a golfer, to grow and be ready for when I am ready to make that step into the LPGA or whatever. It’s important that I am secure in who I am. ◼

ROLL UP, ROLL UP...

5 REASONS to attend the Moonlight Classic

Street food, golf lessons and live music will add to the carnival atmosphere on Thursday and Friday

Food Trucks

Truckers UAE events are a massive draw in the UAE. The great news for golf loving foodies is that they are rolling into Emirates G.C. with a tasty range of homegrown concepts, food trucks and kiosks during their first event of 2021. From dim sum and maki rolls to burgers, pizza and desserts, foodies are in for a treat.

Golf Taster

The LET’s best golfers will make it look pretty easy and for anyone who catches the bug, the team from the Peter Cowen Academy will be on hand to offer free golf taster sessions. Put your swing and putting stroke to the test!

Feel the Beat

The Dubai Moonlight Classic is not just about golf. Chill out to some fab tunes from talented local singer-songwriters Jamie Wrecs and Martyn Crocker and saxophonist Masha Kutskova. Remember your dancing shoes!

4 5

Family fun

Bring the whole family to the golf! A bouncy castle and plenty of space to run about will keep the kids amused while the grown-ups concentrate on the top-quality golf, entertainment and socialising.

It’s Free!

Entry is free for fans on October 28 and 29 from 4-10pm. Don’t miss out on one of the most eagerly anticipated events on the Dubai social calendar. No registration required.

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