The second Ladies European Tour Aramco Team Series event starts this week at La Reserva Club, Sotogrande. The Spanish leg is the second of four unique team events this season.
After the success of the first Aramco Team Series event at Centurion Club, it's now time for the professionals and their amateur partners to take on La Reserva Club in Sotogrande, Spain. Here's all you need to know about the unique Aramco Team Series events.
How are the teams set up and chosen?
- 36 teams of four players.
- Three LET players - assigned via a unique draft system where the team captain picks one player and the other is chosen randomly.
- The fourth player is an amateur golfer, one of which was chosen via the #ATSTeamUp campaign, Amaya Athill @golf_interrupted was the lucky player to be chosen.
- Competition takes place over three days at La Reserva Club, Sotogrande.
- Prize fund $1m, with $200,000 going to the player with the lowest individual score.
The unique scoring system allows an amateur to contribute to the final result of a professional tour event.
How does the scoring work?
- The Aramco Team Series consists of 2 competitions, a 54-hole Stroke Play Individual Competition and a 54-hole Team Competition. There is no cut.
- The Team Competition consists of teams of 3 Professional and 1 amateur.
- The best 2 net scores medal from the 4 players on each hole will count towards the team score (two scores must be recorded on each hole). The result will be determined by the lowest team score in relation to par.
- All amateurs must hold a World Handicap System (WHS) Handicap Index of not more than 18.0 (men) or 24.0 (women) at date of entry, as issued by an Authorised Handicapping Body.
- Two thirds (2/3) Handicap Allowance will be applied to the Course Handicap to establish the Playing Handicap of each amateur.
Who is playing in the second Aramco Team Series event?
As with the first event in London, this Ladies European Tour event has attracted interest from some star players that would usually be playing on the LPGA Tour. Whilst her sister Ariya is competing at the Tokyo Olympics, two time LPGA winner Moriya Jutanugarn will be teeing it up in Spain - after winning with her sister at the team Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational just three weeks ago, she will definitely be a great partner to have.
Major Champion and multiple LPGA winner Paul Creamer will also be playing and with her enviable reputation at the Solheim Cup, she is ready for the challenge, she said:
"I love the team events, I think they're great. It's a fun way to bring fans into the game and it's fun for players to have a different mindset. At the same time there is that individual tournament as well but I almost feel you play better when you have a partner, as you don't want to let them down.
"Some of the best golf shots I have ever hit were at the Solheim Cup. I look at it and wonder how did I ever do that! But I just think having a partner and that support takes your mind off your own goals. I am really looking forward to it."
With other Solheim Cup stars including Charley Hull, Georgia Hall, Bronte Law and Lizette Salas also competing, it's set to be an exciting week ahead.
You can see the full entry list for the Aramco Team Series - Spain here.
Who will #TeamUp?
The draft picks took place last night and full teams will be revealed shortly but there are some interesting groups to look out for...
Plus, Bronte Law picked Solheim Cup Captain Catriona Matthew!
Who won the Aramco Team Series - London?
Team Cowan finished the Aramco Team Series – London in style as they recorded a final round of 12-under-par to secure a three-stroke victory at Centurion Club.
After starting the day two strokes in front, Olivia Cowan, Sarina Schmidt, Diksha Dagar and amateur Andrew Kelsey produced a thrilling back nine as they combined to win with a total of 41-under-par.
The result also meant captain Cowan and Schmidt captured their first title on the LET, while it was a second for Dagar, who won the 2019 Investec SA Women’s Open.
In the individual event it was an excellent day for captain Skarpnord as she carded a final round of five-under-par 68 to tie with Thailand’s Atthaya Thitikul on 13-under-par at the top of the leaderboard.
The duo headed back up to 18 and on their second time, the Norwegian rolled in her birdie putt to clinch the individual title – her fifth on the LET.
Hasn't this been done before?
The format of the team events was first trialled in November 2020 at the Saudi Ladies Team International, which was won by Danish star Emily Kristine Pedersen and her team of South Africa’s Casandra Hall, Michele Thomson of Scotland and amateur golfer, Matt Selby.
Where can I watch the Aramco Team Series?
The three days from Centurion Club will be available to watch on Sky Sports Mix and the red button from 11am (BST) on Thursday and Friday and you can watch all three days for free via Sky Sports YouTube channel here.
Where are the other Aramco Team Series events?
After Spain, the Aramco Team Series moves to New York (October 14 to 16) and Aramco Team Series – Jeddah (November 10-12). The Jeddah event will take place just days after the Aramco Saudi Ladies International presented by Public Investment Fund, being held from November 4 to 7.
For more information, visit aramcoteamseries.com
