Momoka Kobori has a friendly ally on her bag at this week’s Aramco Team Series – Riyadh with the Kiwi turning to Germany’s Leonie Harm as caddie.
Kobori clinched the final spot in the field at Riyadh Golf Club after finishing T2 at the Hero Women’s Indian Open. The excellent result prompted Harm, a reserve in the field, to offer her assistance in Saudi Arabia.
“Leo is on the bag this week,” she explained. “It’s funny, we were chatting a few days ago and when I said I was first reserve she offered to jump on the bag. I thought, ‘why not?’.
“I had been planning to get a local but it’s always good to have a friend on the bag who can keep you happy. I’m really excited to have her on the bag this week. So far, she’s been really good. I’m making her work hard! It should be fun for both of us.”
Harm has 77 appearances to her name on LET. Kobori meanwhile arrives in Riyadh hot in form following her runner-up finish to Liz Young at DLF Golf & Country Club.
“It was a challenging week,” she said. “The set-up was really tough so I did really well to stay patient and manage my way pretty smart around the golf course which made a big difference. The course suited my game. I’m really happy with how I played. I think I won the award for most pars!”
With the finish, the New Zealander was able to jump to 20th in the Order of Merit and cement her playing rights for 2025.
“It was actually huge,” Kobori said. “It’s amazing how a result can make a big difference. It changes my plans moving forward for the next couple of weeks. Now I don’t have to worry about my standings for next year. It’s just a matter of whether I play in the season finale or go home for the Australian Open, because it’s the same week. So unless I have another good week and get into the top-15 [of the OOM], I will probably go home. It means I can play a bit more freely this week which is nice.”
In the Team event in Riyadh, Kobori joins best friends Annabel Dimmock and Gabriella Cowley in a group which will be full of banter and birdies.
She continued: “I’m really happy to be here. A few days a go I was first reserve and wasn’t really sure if I was going to be able to play. It’s a great opportunity and I’m really excited.
“The Aramco events are always a good vibe. Especially with it being the last one of the year. They look after us so well so it should be a fun week.”
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