Chiara Tamburlini made golf history after becoming the first Swiss player to be crowned Rookie of the Year on the Ladies European Tour
The 24-year-old from St Gallen has enjoyed an impressive first year on Europe's top women's circuit, amassing 2,623 points from 23 events and now holds the undisputed lead in the season-long race to be crowned the Tour's best newcomer.
Tamburlini played in the LET Access Series in 2023, turned professional in August and achieved two victories that saw him finish third in the Order of Merit and receive his LET card for the 2024 season.
It was a great start to the year for the Swiss as she finished in the top 10 at the Kenya Ladies Open and in individual events at the Aramco Team Series Tampa, before claiming her first LET title at the Joburg Ladies Open.
Over the summer, the 24-year-old recorded a T2 finish at the Jabra Ladies Open, a T10 in her home country at the VP Bank Swiss Ladies Open and a fourth-place finish at the KPMG Women's Irish Open.
Tamburlini earned her second win of the season with a play-off win at the Lacoste Ladies Open de France and followed that up with a T3 in each event at the Aramco Team Series Shenzhen.
The University of Mississippi graduate then claimed her third title of the season at the Wistron Ladies Open in Taiwan to all but win her Rookie of the Year title.
“Winning the Rookie of the Year award is a goal I set for myself at the beginning of the year – a very high goal – but I thought it could be achieved, and I can't believe I've achieved it,” said Tamburlini. “Seeing the list of players who have won Rookie of the Year is a great thing and being the first player from Switzerland to win this title is an honor. I really enjoyed my first season at LET getting to know all the players and staff.”
He added: “Winning a tournament is important, so to be able to win three times in my first year on Tour was incredible and I'm looking forward to the last few events and hopefully, being in a position to win the Order. of Merit again.”
With the LET Order of Merit standing, Tamburlini would become the seventh player to win both titles in the same season following in the footsteps of Laura Davies, Carlota Ciganda, Esther Henseleit, Jeeno Thitikul, Linn Grant and Trichat Cheenglab.
The LET season continues this week with the Aramco Team Series presented by PIF – Riyadh before the year culminates with the season-ending Andalucía Costa del Sol Open de España.
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