In conversation with: Carlota Ciganda

After a couple of weeks to reflect upon a potential once-in-a-lifetime experience, holing the putt to retain the Solheim Cup trophy on home soil, Carlota took some time to talk about the experience and look ahead to this week’s team event at the Aramco Team Series – Hong Kong.

Let’s start with the putt on 17 at Finca Cortesin. How big do you think that will be as a moment for the future of women's golf in Spain?

I hope it's big. I hope a lot of girls and a lot of women watched the Solheim Cup, and hopefully, golf in Spain can grow, and we can have more and more girls playing. Hopefully, some of them can play in future Solheim Cups, and I can inspire them to be professionals one day. I mean, that would be really nice.

How did you control your emotions with such a lot of expectation on your shoulders all week?

To be honest, I was nervous, but they were good nerves. I felt in control all the time, and it was more adrenaline. I’d prepared very well the whole year for that moment. I think when you work really hard and you have everything clear in your mind, and you know what to expect and you know what to do in each moment, I think it's a little bit easier.

I've worked with my coach so I can play all those shots in my mind before I play, and we had the course very clear. So it was just more adrenaline, but I felt in control of my emotions, and it was just fun.

At the beginning of the week, I was like, "Yes, embrace every moment, have fun.” I had a lot of family and friends, and they were just cheering me on a lot. And all the songs that I was listening to while walking the fairways, it was really special. So I was like, just enjoy every moment and have fun because this won't happen again.

From one team event to another, will coming from the Solheim Cup give you a different approach than usual at this week’s Aramco Team Series – Hong Kong?

I think team events help a lot because I think the energy that you have during the week is amazing. Obviously, the way it ended up and how I played, I think hopefully the momentum can keep going, and I can have a great week.

But I think for the success that everyone has in sports, it's just because they work really hard, they prepare hard, and I don't think there are any shortcuts. I think at the end of the day, people who work hard and are prepared get the success.

I'm just going to try to do that, keep working hard, keep improving, wake up every day and try to be a little better every day, and hopefully, I can keep winning.

What is it about team golf that brings out the best in you on the course and how do you think that translates into success in events like the Solheim Cup and Aramco Team Series?

Playing for a team, I feel that you're playing for something bigger than yourself. I think when you play for Europe in the Solheim Cup or when I was an amateur, playing for Spain, or even in this Aramco Team Series, when you have teammates with you, it's just fun. You're just trying to help them, you're trying to bring the best out of them.

What are your expectations for this week, and are you looking to add a second Aramco Team Series victory to your winning portfolio?

I'm very excited. I've never been to Hong Kong, so I'm excited to get there. I've been looking at the golf course a little bit, I've seen a few pictures, and the course looks amazing, like every course that we play for the Aramco Team Series, always quality golf courses.

I can't wait to be there and see the course, see how the week goes. And yeah, I'll try to play my best, and hopefully, I can have another win to add to my one from ATS - Florida.

Tickets are still available The Aramco Team Series – Hong Kong, taking place October 6-8 at Hong Kong Golf Club. Tickets are available for purchase online via the official distributor Ticketflap. General admission tickets are FREE for Friday (6 October) and priced at HK$150 for Saturday and Sunday. Admission is free ALL WEEKEND for attendees under 18.