There is more than just silverware and Ladies European Tour (LET) cards to play for at this week’s season ending Andalucia Costa del Sol Open de España presented by Oysho as several stars go in pursuit of a place at LPGA Q-Series Final Qualifying.
The top-10 players in the LET Order of Merit will qualify for the final stage in Alabama next month, with Australia’s Kirsten Rudgeley currently right on the cusp sitting in 11th position.
“It wasn’t my aim at the start of the season,” the Aussie said, currently trailing Alexandra Försterling in 10th by 43.13 points. “You know me, I just play golf and see what happens. But an opportunity has opened up so why not. It’s a long way to come for one event but you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do.“
Rudgeley was faced with a dilemma this week with her home event, the ISPS Handa Australian Open, taking place alongside the showdown in Malaga.
She explained: “Talking to Golf Australia, they turned around to me and said definitely play [in Spain]. They know your goal is to be on the LPGA. Best of both worlds, I’ll be able to do both next year.
“[But] it was very to be at home and have some heat. It was nice to be home and see family and friends in Australia.”
Rudgeley has enjoyed a highly consistent second season on the LET missing just one cut and recording six top-10s – a run which included losing in a playoff to Chiara Tamburlini at the Lacoste Ladies Open de France.
“I’m just going to play my golf,” she said on the prospect of earning an LPGA Q-Series spot. “If it doesn’t work out, it doesn’t work out. I’ve secured a full LET card for next year anyway so I’m able to go out there freely. I’ll still try to win. Let’s see what happens.“
Despite giving little away and being her usual cool and collective self, Rudgeley will no doubt be buoyed on by her fantastic debut in this event last time out. The Aussie led by two shots heading into the final round before eventually finishing T4 as Aditi Ashok claimed gold.
“It was a really good experience last year,” she remembers. “Being in that final group made me experience being in contention. That was nice. This year I’ve been able to get myself in the last group a fair few times. I haven’t felt any [pressure], so it’s been really good.”
Spain’s Marta Martin and Czechia’s Sara Kouskova also both have an outside chance of qualifying as they sit just over 200 points behind Alexandra Försterling in 10th. Both would require a top three finish in Spain.
Follow all the action from the Andalucia Costa del Sol Open de España presented by Oysho on @LETgolf on Instagram and X and Ladies European Tour on Facebook and YouTube – #RaiseOurGame.
