CIGANDA AND ITURRIOZ HIT TOP FORM TO LEAD SPANISH ARMADA IN SULTRY TEXAN HEAT

There was a distinctly Spanish feel to the top of the leaderboard at the Aramco Houston Championship, the fourth round of the PIF Global Series, as Carlota Ciganda and Nuria Iturrioz put themselves in prime position ahead of an intriguing final round at Golfcrest Country Club.

Solheim Cup legend Ciganda burst through the pack at the Ladies European Tour event in Texas with a run of five birdies in six holes on her front nine, before the Golf Saudi ambassador recorded her only blemish of the day with a bogey at the 8th to finish with an 8-under 64 and lead by one on 10-under from Iturrioz.

A fi eld of 104 world-class female golfers started the day at the Golf Saudi-backed event, which comprises a team event finishing on Saturday and an individual contest which looks an intriguing prospect for Sunday with 20 players – including four Golf Saudi ambassadors - within five shots of the lead.

Ciganda kept her cool in the sultry Texan heat on Saturday with a sensational opening nine holes. Starting at the 10th she fi red six birdies and at one point the prospect of a rare 59 was on everyone’s mind, but a solid second nine, which included her only blemish at the 8th, saw her settle for an outstanding 64.

“I wasn't thinking too much about the result, to be honest. I was just trying to be present. I think that's when the best results happen. But yeah, I was at one point. I think, nine under after 13 holes, so it could have been a low one.”

The eye-catching round was something of a return to form for the Spaniard, who has been struggling to make an impact in recent weeks missing her last four cuts on the LPGA Tour.

“My last few events I haven't been great, so I spent a couple days with my coach on Sunday, Monday. And I think, yeah, I think my swing is back on track. It feels pretty good now. And I think at the end of day just keep working. You have to be always humble, keep practising and try your best every day.”

Iturrioz was all smiles after she carded a 67 to back up her opening 68 to finish the second round on 9-under, one behind her Spanish compatriot and perfectly poised to launch a challenge in the individual PIF Global Series event, which boasts a prize fund of $1.5m.

Like Ciganda, Iturrioz said time focusing on the mental side of the game and renewed focus on her range routine had lifted her game and she cut a cheerful figure in the verdant fairways at Golfcrest.
“I like to smile because I like to separate golf and life. Of course, I get mad. Thehappier you see a person, the more you can see a strong character out there. Soyes, I get mad, of course, but I try always to turn around and try to do my best.”

It was another vibrant day of activity at the Golf Saudi-backed event with Go Golf clinics giving hundreds of fans the chance to improve their game and in some instances play for the first time.

An initiative with the Trees For Houston non-profit organisation will see five trees donated to the local community for every birdie scored at the par 5 14thand Saturday's superb total of 44 birdies will mean another healthy addition to the greenery around Greater Houston.

The PIF Global Series forms a key pillar in Golf Saudi’s objective to elevate women golfers the world over, in tandem with a significant number of clinics, workshops and initiatives held at each venue aimed at encouraging newcomers into the game and driving awareness around the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as a global golfing power and tourism destination.