Swiss golfing sensation Chiara Tamburlini makes Ladies European Tour history by winning the rookie of the year and the order of merit | Sporting News

Swiss sensation, Chiara Tamburlini, has capped off a sensational first season on the Ladies European Tour with a top-10 finish at the Aramco Team Series finals in Riyadh.

In doing so, the 24-year-old has made history, by securing enough points to give her the Ladies European Tour order of merit title, to add to the Rookie of the Year award she secured just two weeks ago.

“I’m actually feeling quite emotional right now,” said a teary-eyed Tamburlini after her final round three-under-par 69 in Riyadh. “I knew the significance of having a good finish as I’d talked about it with my playing partner Carlotta Ciganda. She also won both the Rookie of the Year and the Order of Merit in her first season on tour. I can’t quite believe it. I’m so happy right now.”

Tamburlini has become only the seventh player in the history of the women’s game to ever win both titles, joining Dame Laura Davies, Carlotta Ciganda, Esther Henseleit, Jeeno Thitkul, Linn Grant and Trichat Cheenglab in that illustrious circle.

A dream start to Chiara Tamburlini’s professional career

The LET Order of Merit title caps off a sensational maiden season for the young Swiss player, who won three times, with victories in the 2024 Joburg Ladies Open, the Lacoste Ladies Open de France and the Wistron Ladies Open in Taiwan. Tamburlini also secured back-to-back team titles in the co-sanctioned Aramco Team Series, by leading her team to a second ATS title in record-breaking style at Riyadh, with a 43-under-par 36-hole score – 10 shots clear of the rest of the field.

Why the Aramco Team Series suited the Swiss golfer’s style of play

“The team format really suited my game as I like to play aggressively,” she told reporters after the conclusion of the three-day event. “It’s also so much fun to play in a team. It brings out the best in me and it’s certainly one of my big aspirations for the future to play for Europe in the Solheim Cup.”

A new generation and a new golf fans favorite player

Tamburlini has certainly won herself a lot of fans out in Saudi, with her aggressive style of play, ability to make birdies and by playing with an infectious smile on her face. A bright future in the women’s game is assured.

MORE: Read more stories from the Aramco Team Series finals here.