ROUND 2
THURSDAY
OCTOBER 28, 2021
ISSUE 2
MAGIC MARIA Maria Fassi’s first circuit of the Faldo produced a scorecard that will be hung up in the clubhouse at Emirates Golf Club for posterity. Now to the job of defending her first round lead.
By Kent Gray – Editor, Golf Digest Middle East
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ith 10 missed cuts in her first 11 starts on the LPGA Tour this season, you wouldn’t have been alone in giving Maria Fassi’s name little more than a cursory glance when surveying the field for potential winners of this week’s Dubai Moonlight Classic presented by EGA. The 23-year-old Mexican’s relative anonymity lasted precisely 18 holes on Wednesday as she roared to the first round lead of the €260,000 Ladies European Tour event at Emirates Golf Club. With nine birdies and a chip-in eagle on her last hole of the night, the 16th, Fassi signed for an eight-under 63, matching the Faldo course record established by Kylie Henry in the final round of last year’s tournament. She leads by a stroke from South African Lee-Anne Pace with JA the Resort-attached Olivia Cowan alone in third place after a 65 heading into Thursday’s penultimate round. Cowan had hinted at the Faldo’s receptiveness with a stunning round of 60 in Tuesday’s Pro-Am and 31 of the 56 starters were in red numbers after the first round, including former world No.1 Ariya Jutanugarn who carded a fourunder 68 to stay in touch with the leaders. But the night belonged to Fassi who, astonishingly, could have lead by more but for blotting her card with two bogeys. Not that anyone was grumbling. It was sensational and surprising golf from a player whose only previous LET rounds – scores of 73-74 – saw her miss the cut at last year’s Australian Ladies Classic Bonville.
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Wednesday’s round is even more impressive when you learn Fassi needed knee surgery in April. “It is, of course, always good to be under par but it was pretty flawless out there today,” she said. “It is my first time playing in the dark but it was awesome. I was talking with the girls in my group today [and saying] that it’s a pretty cool experience. “It’s something that I wanted to experience [night golf] at least once in my lifetime. It is a lot of fun and it gives a more relaxed vibe to the tournament which helps my mindset and my game.” Staying relaxed for the final 36 holes is the trick from here. It seems Fassi has a plan for that too. “You always look back to a round like today and hope to do the same the next day and so on. It’s very important for me to just walk in tomorrow and have a clean slate and focus on the same things I was focusing on – we have a great game plan for the golf course, and it definitely paid off today, but I just need to keep doing what I have been doing and I should be in good shape after that.” While others might have been surprised by the round, Fassi herself wasn’t. She’s been trending nicely since going under the knife with a 5th place finish at last month’s ShopRite LPGA Classic. It’s not like she is an unknown either; Fassi finished runner-up to Jennifer Kupcho at the inaugural Augusta National Women’s Amateur and placed T-12 in her professional debut – impressively at the U.S. Open - later in 2019. TURN TO PAGE 2
CHIARA BELIEVES Jumeirah Golf Estates-attached teen Chiara Noja reflects on her first round as a professional. PAGE 2
BLIND SHOTS
Lydia Hall experiences Topgolf Dubai with a twist. PAGE 3
ROUND 2 TEE TIMES Plan your Thursday viewing pleasure with all the second round groupings. PAGE 4
TASTY TREAT What to do to prepare for a LET event? A cooking contest suited Olivia Cowan and Ariya Jutanugarn just fine. PAGE 6
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NEWS
Relaxed and loving it
LEADERBOARD Rank Name (Country)
R1 Par
1
Maria Fassi (MEX)
-9 63
2
Lee-Anne Pace (RSA)
-8 64
3
Olivia Cowan (GER)
-7 65
4
Jessica Karlsson (SWE)
-6 66
5
Lydia Hall (WAL)
-5 67
Alice Hewson (ENG)
-5 67
7
Ariya Jutanugarn (THA)
-4 68
Carmen Alonso (ESP)
-4 68
Bronte Law (ENG)
-4 68
10
Stephanie Kyriacou (AUS) -3 69
Pajaree Anannarukarn (THA) -3 69
Nuria Iturrioz (ESP)
-3 69
Alison Muirhead (SCO)
-3 69
Aditi Ashok (IND)
-3 69
Moriya Jutanugarn (THA) -3 69
I was at twounder at some point and lost it a little bit but I had a great time.
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hat did Chiara Noja take away from her maiden round as a professional, other than a thoroughly acceptable score of 73? Golf’s most precious commodity, the belief that she belongs. The 15-year-old, Dubai-based German is the star character in the most intriguing subplot at this week’s Dubai Moonlight Classic presented by EGA. Her opening round on the Faldo could have been better but more importantly, she did not look overawed in any sense despite her one-over debut. “To be honest, this is the most relaxed I’ve been in a long time, I went out there, tried to focus on the game. I had a great time and really didn’t think too much about the pressure of pro,” Noja said after mixing three bogeys and a double drop on the par 3 12th with four birdies. “I made it a little bit difficult for myself at times, lots of birdies but a couple of unnecessary bogeys but the course was incredible, and the greens were great. I loved it. “I had some really good shots; I was at two-under at some point and lost it a little bit but I had a great time.” The real beauty of Dubai’s annual LET event, other than being in her adopted home, is that there is no cut so Noja will bank two more precious learning experiences. The goal for those final 36 holes? “A couple more birdies, less unnecessary bogeys… same mentality and staying in the right head space.” ◼
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“I think it was a matter of time for me to be able to put a round like today’s together. I have been working very hard to see something like this happen so it’s very motivating to see a round like today and have all that hard work pay off. “I think it is a good game plan. We are playing pretty aggressive especially on the back nine, there’s a few holes where my length really plays a big role so it’s using that and hoping that the putts keep dropping.” For much of the opening round Pace was the aptly-named pace-setter. The South African didn’t put a, ahem, foot wrong, starting with a birdie on the 4th, her first hole, before adding six more and an eagle on the 10th to sign for a 64. “To shoot bogey-free is always very nice, I nearly birdied the last hole as well. I played very solid and made all the fairways which makes it a lot easier into the greens,” said Pace, a 10-time LET winner. “It’s not a terribly long golf course so you can attack the pins and the greens are holding as well.” Pace played in the same three-ball as Cowan, the 25-year-old German who is still searching for her LET breakthrough. “We both played solid today and had a good day… it was really enjoyable,” Cowan said. “I love coming to Dubai – it feels like a second home with my sponsors JA the Resort here and I always play well here because of that. Great weather, great course, I can’t complain.” That’s a good thing for Cowan’s bag-carrying partner. “My boyfriend is caddieing for me this week. We weren’t quite sure how it was going to be because it was the first time – it could make or break the relationship. It’s going well so far though so he can keep the job.” ◼
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TOPGOLF TEST
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BLIND
SHOT
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elsh golfer Lydia Hall took time out from her Dubai Moonlight Classic presented by EGA preparations for a Topgolf challenge with fellow LET stars Karolin Lampert and Michele Thomson, with a number of fun rounds including a blindfold test. On the benefits of Topgolf, she said: “It’s a great initiative to get golfers into golf and make it fun, exciting and a little bit easier than real golfing which can be scary and hard. It definitely helps your game, it’s always really good especially for us who do golf as a profession. “It’s also nice to come out here and have some fun with an amazing backdrop here in Dubai, you couldn’t ask for a better backdrop. You can come and have great food, and have a great time with friends – it’s also great preparation for us this week.” Lydia urged anyone keen to try the sport to make Topgolf Dubai their first port of call. “If you’ve never played golf before, this is almost the first step to come here and have a game with your friends, have a good time – next door is a fantastic club with Emirates Golf Club to go and see the head pros and teaching PGA professionals to then get on the golf course.” ◼
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ROUND 2 TEE TIMES – THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28
DRAW SHEET 1. TIME 16:00 • HOLE 1 ◼ Olivia Cowan (GER) ◼ Lee-Anne Pace (RSA) ◼ Maria Fassi (MEX)
2. TIME 16:00 • HOLE 2 ◼ Nicole Garcia (RSA) ◼ Karoline Lund (NOR) ◼ Marianne Skarpnord (NOR)
3. TIME 16:10 • HOLE 2 ◼ Tiia Koivisto (FIN) ◼ Pasqualle Coffa (NED)
4. TIME 16:00 • HOLE 3
◼ Kylie Henry (SCO) ◼ Krista Bakker (FIN) ◼ Annabel Dimmock (ENG)
5. TIME 16:00 • HOLE 4 ◼ Liz Young (ENG) ◼ Michele Thomson (SCO) ◼ Chloe Williams (WAL)
-7 -8 -9
+7 +5 +5
+11 +9
6. TIME 16:00 • HOLE 5 ◼ Gabriella Cowley (ENG) ◼ Pia Babnik (SLO) ◼ Meghan MacLaren (ENG)
7. TIME 16:00 • HOLE 6 ◼ Linda Wessberg (SWE) ◼ Kelsey Macdonald (SCO) ◼ Whitney Hillier (AUS)
8. TIME 16:00 • HOLE 7 ◼ Sanna Nuutinen (FIN) ◼ Kim Metraux (SUI) ◼ Chiara Noja (GER)
+5 +4 +3
9. TIME 16:00 • HOLE 8
+3 +3 +3
10. TIME 16:00 • HOLE 9
◼ Esther Henseleit (GER) ◼ Diksha Dagar (IND) ◼ Johanna Gustavsson (SWE) ◼ Kristyna Napoleaova (CZE) ◼ Emma Grechi (FRA) ◼ Catriona Matthew (SCO)
Plan your evening watching your favourite players with this guide to Thursday’s tee times. +3 +2 +1
+1 +1 +1
+1 +1 +1
E E E
E E -1
11. TIME 16:00 • HOLE 10
16. TIME 16:00 • HOLE 15
12. TIME 16:00 • HOLE 11
17. TIME 16:00 • HOLE 16
13. TIME 16:10 • HOLE 12
18. TIME 16:00 • HOLE 17
14. TIME 16:00 • HOLE 13
19. TIME 16:00 • HOLE 18
◼ Ursula Wikstrom (FIN) ◼ Felicity Johnson (ENG) ◼ Laura Davies (ENG)
-1 -1 -1
◼ Maria Hernandez (ESP) -1 ◼ Magdalena Simmermacher (ARG) -1 ◼ Eleanor Givens (ENG) -1 ◼ Anne-Charlotte Mora (FRA) ◼ Cloe Frankish (ENG) ◼ Christine Wolf (AUT) ◼ Karolin Lampert (GER) ◼ Tvesa Malik (IND) ◼ Agathe Sauzon (FRA)
-1 -1 -1
-1 -2 -2
◼ Moriya Jutanugarn (THA) ◼ Aditi Ashok (IND) ◼ Alison Muirhead (SCO)
◼ Nuria Iturrioz (ESP) ◼ Pajaree Anannarukarn (THA) ◼ Stephanie Kyriacou (AUS) ◼ Bronte Law (ENG) ◼ Carmen Alonso (ESP) ◼ Ariya Jutanugarn (THA)
-2 -2 -2
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-3 -3 -3
-4 -4 -4
◼ Alice Hewson (ENG) -5 ◼ Lydia Hall (WAL) -5 ◼ Jessica Karlsson (SWE) -6
15. TIME 16:00 • HOLE 14 ◼ Atthaya Thitikul (THA) ◼ Manon De Roey (BEL) ◼ Caroline Hedwall (SWE)
-3 -3 -3
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PETER COWEN ACADEMY TASTER-LESSONS
Have a Go
F
rom absolute beginners to established players looking to fine tune their game, all budding golfers will be welcome for some taster sessions with the Peter Cowen Academy during the Dubai Moonlight Classic presented by EGA. A team of eight instructors will be hosting clinics at different timings throughout the event, with three clinics on the driving range, one on the green and two at the chipping and short game area. Alastair Brown, head academy professional at the Peter Cowen Academy Dubai explains: “The clinics are open to anyone, we welcome beginners and regular players looking for that little something for their game. They can come along to the tournament village, enjoy some food with the truckers, watch some golf and get a few tips for their game.” Aside from the taster sessions, the academy offers four and eight-lesson programmes for individuals. Juniors and ladies can also sign up for group lessons and get involved in social competitions on the Emirates Golf Club Par-3 and Faldo course. ◼
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TASTY TEST
EAT YOUR GREENS! T wo title hopefuls escaped the intensity of competition to try something a little different on the eve of the 15th Dubai Moonlight Classic presented by EGA – an Arabic cooking masterclass. Thai sensation Ariya Jutanugarn and German star Olivia Cowan, two of the field’s self-confessed foodies, were joined by Chef Mahmoud from JA Resorts & Hotels, to create two signature regional dishes: falafel and fattoush, the famed Arabic salad. Cowan, who emerged as champion in the cook-off, said: “It was quite difficult remembering everything and Chef Mahmoud was as tough on us as our coaches, but I did pretty well for my first time.” Cowan also emerged the stronger of the part-time chefs after the opening round of the Ladies European Tour event after signing for a seven-under 65 on Wednesday to finish three strokes behind pace-setter Maria Fassi 63. Jutanugarn, the former world No.1 and a two-time winner on the LPGA Tour this season, returned a 68. ◼
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NEWS
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EGF Inspire
A
group of female students and budding young golfers weaned unique golfing insights from some of the sport’s biggest international names during a special workshop arranged by the Emirates Golf Federation (EGF). Representing a mix of Dubai-based schools, the youngsters toured Emirates Golf Club and took part in tutorial sessions at Topgolf Dubai, led by English LET legend Dame Laura Davies, Solheim Cup-winning captain Catriona Matthew, and English star Bronte Law, to promote the sport among Emirati and Arab students. Samir Wallani, coach of the UAE Golf National Team, was thrilled with the students’ response to the workshop. “First of all, we have to get more girls into the game. There is a lot of fun within this game but players need to master many aspects – the technical, mental and physical parts, which include ability and the strategy. The students got a lot out of these sessions with the generous and inspiring professionals.” On the growth of the game among young Emiratis and Arab world youth, Wallani added: “When I started with the UAE national team in 2017 only a few girls were playing. Now, Emirates Golf Federation is doing a very good job bringing youngsters from schools to the golf course and giving them lessons, selecting the best and adding them to junior national development programme. From there, we find members for the UAE National Team.” Davies welcomed the opportunity to spread the word about golf to the next generation of Emirati and Arab girls: “First and foremost, it’s all about enjoying golf, that’s the main thing. It is important to find a level of fun and then if it gets serious, it is all about practice.” Matthew agreed. “Coming here is great, I was just playing the Angry Birds game which is great fun when you’re young. It’s about keeping it fun; you don’t want to make it too serious. Make it fun to get the girls into the game and they will naturally want to take it further and maybe get a bit more serious...” ◼
PRO-AM GLORY
England’s Liz Young (pictured left) captained her side to victory in the first Dubai Moonlight Class Pro-Am evening on Monday. Stuart Laurie, Steve Allen and Tom Morgans helped Team Young post a -23 total to edge out, on countback, teams led by Kelsey Macdonald and Caroline Hedwall. Macdonald’s team got off to a great start with Milton McCormack landing his first ever hole in one with his very first shot of the night, a 143-yard 7 iron on the 8th! Felicity Johnson’s team (pictured right) claimed victory in the second Pro-Am on Tuesday evening with a tournament-best team score of -24, one shot better than the teams led by Pajaree Anannarukarn and Olivia Cowan. Johnson’s team included Abdulla Al Hashimi and Tommy Fleetwood’s sons Oscar and Mo Craig. Cowan had a personal blast, circumnavigating the Faldo in just 60 shots.
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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
1
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.
2
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!
3
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!
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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.
dubaimoonlightclassic.com