Golf Post

The Ladies European Tour kicked off its season in style this week at the PIF Saudi Ladies International in Riyadh, where Carlota Ciganda delivered one of the tournament’s most memorable moments with a casual ace that had galleries buzzing.

The Spanish golfer’s hole-in-one came during competition at Riyadh Golf Club, showcasing the kind of precise shotmaking that defines elite women’s professional golf. With a purse of 5 million USD—the largest in Ladies European Tour history outside of major championships—the tournament attracted the world’s best female competitors.

Elite Field Convenes in Saudi Arabia

Defending champion Patty Tavatanakit returned to defend her title, joined by a stellar field including Charley Hull, Celine Boutier, Danielle Kang, and Amy Yang. The event marks a significant moment for professional women’s golf, with the tournament serving as the season opener for many competitors.

The DACH region sent a strong contingent to compete. Germany’s Esther Henseleit, who serves as a Golf Saudi ambassador, was joined by fellow German players Laura Funfstuck—the 2025 PIF London Championship winner—Olivia Cowan, Helen Briem, Alexandra Försterling, and Leonie Harm. Austria contributed Emma Spitz, while Switzerland’s entries included Chiara Tamburlini, Kim Metraux, and Albane Valenzuela.

Growing Investment in Women’s Golf

The tournament represents continued investment in women’s professional golf, with significant prize money reflecting the sport’s increasing commercial appeal. Ciganda’s ace exemplified the level of skill on display, adding to the spectacle of a competition that continues to elevate the profile of women’s professional golf internationally.

The season is now in full swing across multiple tours, with PGA Tour events, LIV Golf League competitions, and Champions Tour action competing for attention across the professional landscape.

HOLE-IN-ONE TO WIN A CAR! 😮

Carlota Ciganda with the most casual ace you’ll ever see 😂#PIFSaudiLadiesInternational pic.twitter.com/ZiWivEBkGJ

— Ladies European Tour (@LETgolf) February 11, 2026

This article was created with the help of AI and editorially reviewed. Report an issue

The golf calendar this week, February 10-16, 2026, brings high-profile action across multiple tours and continents, with Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy among the headliners competing at the season’s premier events.

Pebble Beach and LIV Golf Adelaide Lead the Week

The PGA Tour‘s AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am begins February 12 at Pebble Beach Golf Links in California, offering $20 million in prize money with the winner receiving $3.6 million. Scheffler, the world number one, will face defending champion McIlroy, along with in-form Chris Gotterup, who has notched two victories in three weeks following wins at the Sony Open and Phoenix Open. Justin Rose, fresh from his Farmers Insurance Open victory, also headlines the field.

The tournament represents the first Signature Event of the season and features the traditional celebrity pro-am format, with notable participants including Kansas City Chiefs player Travis Kelce. German representatives Stephan Jäger and Matti Schmid will compete, with Jäger finishing tied-seventh last year. Austria’s Sepp Straka, a four-time PGA Tour winner, aims for a strong showing after a similar finish in 2025.

Meanwhile, the LIV Golf League moves to The Grange Golf Club in Adelaide, Australia, for LIV Golf Adelaide, running February 12-15. The $30 million event marks the league’s first tournament offering Official World Golf Ranking points. Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau headline a field seeking to dethrone defending champion Joaquin Niemann. The Ripper GC team, buoyed by Elvis Smylie’s remarkable debut victory in Riyadh last week at age 23, will compete on home soil with teammates Cameron Smith, Marc Leishman, and Lucas Herbert.

Champions Tour and International Action

The PGA Tour Champions hosts the Chubb Classic in Naples, Florida, February 13-15, where Bernhard Langer pursues his sixth title at the event. The 68-year-old German veteran holds 47 career Champions Tour victories, a tour record, and sits one Chubb Classic win away from equaling his own tournament record of six titles. Justin Leonard defends, while fellow past champions Davis Love III and Darren Clarke compete for the $1.8 million purse. Germany’s Alex Cejka, 55, also features in the field.

The Ladies European Tour opens its season with the PIF Saudi Ladies International at Riyadh Golf Club, February 11-14, a $5 million event—the largest on the calendar outside major championships. Defending champion Patty Tavatanakit returns to face Charley Hull, Celine Boutier, and Amy Yang. Germany’s Laura Funfstuck, who captured the PIF London Championship in 2025, leads a strong contingent of DACH representatives including Esther Henseleit, who serves as a Golf Saudi ambassador. Helen Briem, newly competing on the LPGA Tour in 2026, also appears in the field alongside Olivia Cowan, Alexandra Försterling, and Leonie Harm. Austria’s Emma Spitz and Switzerland’s Chiara Tamburlini, Albane Valenzuela, and Kim Metraux round out the regional presence.

Carlota Ciganda’s ace this week highlighted the competitive spirit evident across all competition levels. Her hole-in-one marked the season’s first for the professional circuit, capturing the kind of individual brilliance that defines tournament golf.

This article was created with the help of AI and editorially reviewed. Report an issue