Azahara Muñoz, best Spanish player on a day marked by Thai player Cheenglab’s historic record at the Andalucía Costa del Sol Open de España presented by Oysho
- The Malaga native, eleventh with -5, becomes the best Spanish player of the day at Guadalhorce after a brilliant start that put her in a tie for the lead
- Thailand’s Trichat Cheenglab destroys the field with a historic -9 for a total of -15 and opens up a seven-stroke lead in the fight for the title
The Andalucía Costa del Sol Open de España presented by Oysho saw a second day full of excitement and contrasts. On the one hand, Spanish golf fought back thanks to two-time Open champion Azahara Muñoz from Málaga, who finished with a total of -5 to become the best Spanish player of the day, keeping alive her dream of fighting for the title once again. On the other hand, the Real Guadalhorce Golf Club witnessed a historic event: Thailand’s Trichat Cheenglab carded the round of her life, an astonishing 63 (-9) that smashed the course record and propelled her into the lead at -15, seven strokes ahead of the runner-up.
The day had one name: Trichat Cheenglab. Her story is as surprising as it is inspiring. After years of struggling to find her way on the Asian Tour and the Thai LPGA, she decided to risk what little she had by travelling to the LET school. That desperate gamble turned her into a professional on the European circuit, and in 2023 she was Rookie of the Year and winner of the Order of Merit. Since then, she has been looking for her perfect week… and it has arrived in Malaga. Two bogey-free rounds, total dominance around the green and an absolutely phenomenal performance with her wedges and putter have triggered one of the greatest performances ever seen at Guadalhorce. On the second day, she scored nine birdies, with a sensational finish, sinking a five-metre putt on the 18th to seal the new course record.
The day had a name: Trichat Cheenglab, whose personal story makes her performance even more impressive. After years of instability on the Asian Tour and the Thai LPGA, she decided to risk her last savings to travel to the Ladies European Tour school. There she earned her full card and, in 2023, was named Rookie of the Year and winner of the Order of Merit. Since then, she had not come close to a title… until this week in Malaga, where she is shining with unquestionable authority.
On the second day, she completed her second consecutive round without bogeys, with five birdies on the first seven holes and three more on the spectacular final stretch of 16, 17 and 18. At the end of the day, the Thai explained that her plan was working better than expected. She said that her initial goal was to ‘try to shoot around -5 every day,’ but acknowledged that today she had achieved ‘four under’ thanks to an exceptional level of play around the green. She also expressed her gratitude to her caddie and partner for reading the lines on greens that were ‘difficult to interpret,’ and joked about her particular secret: ‘While others have toast for breakfast, I start the day with rice and curry… maybe that’s the key,’ she said with a laugh.
For the Spanish players, the day had its ups and downs, but also reasons to believe. Azahara Muñoz, encouraged by the Malaga crowd, got off to a flying start with four consecutive birdies from the 1st to the 4th, putting her in the provisional lead. A bogey on the 5th did not slow her momentum and she went back on the attack on the 7th before a double bogey on the 9th forced her to reset. Even so, the Malaga native remained calm, carding another birdie on the 13th and one more on the 17th to finish with a solid -3 for the day and tie for eleventh place. ‘The truth is that I hit my drives very well and my irons very well. I’m very happy, calm, and looking forward to continuing to enjoy this weekend,’ she explained at the end.
At -4, in seventeenth place, a group of Spanish players remain firmly in contention: Nuria Iturrioz, Harang Lee, Luna Sobrón (who was unable to maintain Thursday’s level today) and Teresa Toscano. Carlota Ciganda, the defending champion, finished the day at par and remains at -3, aware that she will need a low round on Saturday if she is to defend her title. ‘I didn’t play that badly, but the putts didn’t go in. There’s still a lot of golf left and I hope to get to at least -10 to be in contention,’ she said with her usual ambition.
Among the young Spanish players, amateur Andrea Revuelta and Marta Martín also stand out, both with good performances. And the best Spanish round of the day came from home: Ana Peláez, impeccable with a 67 (-5) that puts her at -2, proving that she still has a lot to say in front of her home crowd.
Behind the unstoppable Thai leader, the standings present a very open fight. Italy’s Alessandra Fanali is alone in second place at -8, while France’s Nastasia Nadaud and Céline Herbin share third place (-7). And, of course, the battle for the Order of Merit continues to rage: both Shannon Tan and Mimi Rhodes carded a solid -6 total, keeping alive a duel that promises excitement until Sunday.
Around the green
Course record at Guadalhorce
Trichat Cheenglab carded a spectacular 63 (-9), the best round ever recorded at the Real Guadalhorce Golf Club. Club president Ángel Gancedo presented him with a special trophy featuring the iconic clubhouse and a framed flag of the course in recognition of his achievement.
A well-deserved tribute to the caddies
The tournament caddies gathered at the 18th hole for a group photo next to the press tent, where historical images of the Open are on display. ‘It’s a pleasure to have our work recognised. It’s good to see how an organisation values a job well done,’ they said gratefully.
Andalusian golf, an economic driver and example of sustainability
The Real Guadalhorce Golf Club hosted the conference ‘Golf in Andalusia: socio-economic impact and efficient use of water’, organised by the Spanish Golf Course Association and the Royal Andalusian Golf Federation. With presentations by Ángel Gancedo, Pablo Mansilla, Juan Antonio López, Ramiro Angulo, Matilde Mancha and Juan José Denis, the impact of golf as a key activity for deseasonalising tourism, generating employment and water efficiency was highlighted, recalling that golf courses represent only 0.3% of irrigation in Andalusia and are leaders in the use of reclaimed water.
The latest news on the Andalucía Costa del Sol Open de España presented by Oysho can be followed on the website openfemenino.com, the Twitter account @Openfemenino, the Instagram account @spanishopen and the Facebook page @openfemenino. It is sponsored by Andalucía and Costa del Sol as main sponsors, together with Oysho as naming partner and textile sponsor of the tournament. Malaga City Council, Mahou, Solán de Cabras, Hisúmer Cincoro, Audi Safamotor, Best Garden, Carrasco Ibéricos, Essse Café, Greenmowers, Kyocera, PING, Reale and Swing Line are also among the key supporters of the tournament. The LET, RFEG, RFGA, Real Guadalhorce Club de Golf y Deporte & Business are collaborating in its organisation.