High stakes are plentiful at next week’s season finale on the Ladies European Tour (LET) as several stars attempt to keep their cards for 2025.
After an eventful season just one tournament remains in 2024 with 75 players teeing up at the Andalucía Costa del Sol Open de España presented by Oysho between November 28 and December 1.
The top 70 in the Order of Merit following the conclusion of the event will earn full playing rights for next year as they earn Category 4 status and avoid having to return to LET Q-School in December.
So with that in mind, who is facing a make or break week in Malaga as the LET heads to Real Club Guadalhorce Golf?
The season finale is capped at 64 players based on position in the Order of Merit with 11 invites also afforded. Given there is not a cut in Spain, invitees are not able to collect Order of Merit points.
The final player sneaking into the field is Sweden’s Sara Kjellker – currently just outside of the bubble sitting 83rd in the season long standings. The Swede finished 12th in last year’s rankings and has travelled to Spain early to prepare for the crucial final week.
Having recently resolved some driver complications – the 26-year-old had been playing with a cracked head – Kjellker will be confident she can extend her strong record in Spain to soar up the rankings and avoid the drama of Final Stage Q-School.
“I’m just trying to take it round by round,” she said. “I think this year has been hard, for a few different reasons. I’ve had a few things going on in my private life and I’ve lost some confidence.”
Further up, France’s Celine Herbin currently sits 70th in the Order of Merit and would retain her full card as it stands. Also competing in Spain and at risk of dropping into danger are Switzerland’s Elena Moosmann (69th), England’s Ellie Givens (68th) and Sweden’s Sofie Bringner (67th).
On the opposite side of the bubble, Sweden’s Lisa Pettersson (71st) will still have her winner’s exemption next year after triumphing at the 2023 Helsingborg Open. She is therefore not in danger.
Next up is Moroccan Maha Haddioui, currently 73rd in the standings. The two-time Olympian has revitalised her game this year after a difficult 2023, recently finishing T6 at the Hero Women’s Indian Open to play her way into the season finale and give herself a chance at avoiding Q-School.
Also present in Spain are France’s Camille Chevalier (74th), Wales’ Lydia Hall (75th), Japan’s Ayako Uehara (77th), Finland’s Sanna Nuutinen (78th), Czechia’s Tereza Melecka (79th) and Austria’s Sarah Schober (80th). Just 21.88 points separate Pettersson in 70th and her compatriot Kjellker in 83rd.
Those falling outside the bubble between 71-80 in the Order of Merit will fall into Category 15 for 2025. Anyone finishing between 81-110 will drop into Category 16 which will limit their number of starts significantly compared to Category 4.
The Andalucía Costa del Sol Open de España gets under way on Thursday November 28 in Malaga. Follow all the action on @LETgolf on Instagram and X and Ladies European Tour on Facebook and YouTube – #RaiseOurGame.
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