Carlota Ciganda is the leading Spanish golfer in the women’s game currently, with ten professional titles and six Solheim Cup appearances to her name.
The Spaniard had a solid amateur career which included winning the British Ladies Amateur Championship in 2007 along with a pair of European Ladies Amateur titles. She went to Arizona State University in 2008, playing in the Sun Devils’ team as they won the NCAA Championship a year later. She then made conference history by becoming the first to win consecutive Pac-10 Championships.
After turning professional in 2011, shortly after graduating, Ciganda was soon in the winners’ circle. Her first professional victory came at the Murcia Ladies Open on the LET Access Tour, before then winning twice on the Ladies European Tour in 2012, as she was named Rookie of the Year and Player of the Year, along with winning the Tour’s Order of Merit. Ciganda has gone on to win 11 times, including eight on the LET, and with four of those coming on home soil in Spain.
The 2023 Solheim Cup was Ciganda’s sixth appearance in the competition for Team Europe. She made her debut a decade earlier and has taken 9 points from a possible 19 in her matches. Ciganda is a three-time winner of the Solheim Cup with Europe, victorious in 2013, 2019 and 2021. On home soil at Finca Cortesin, the Spaniard secured the point that retained the trophy in the competition’s first ever 14-14 draw.
Carlota Ciganda | Player Profile
Personal Information
Name: Carlota Ciganda Machinena
Born: June 1, 1990
Nationality: Spain
Residence: Pamplona, Spain
Career
College: Arizona State University
Turned Pro: 2011
Professional Wins: 12
Highest World Ranking: 3 – August 7, 2023
Best Results In Majors
Best Finishes:
– Chevron Championship – T4 (2015, 2019)
– Women’s PGA Championship – T2 (2020, 2023)
– US Women’s Open – 3rd (2018)
– Amundi Evian Championship – T3 (2022)
– AIG Women’s Open – T7/7th (2018, 2019)
Professional Wins – 12
2011 (1) – Murcia Ladies Open
2012 (2) – Deloitte Ladies Open, China Suzhou Taihu Open
2013 (1) – UniCredit Ladies German Open
2016 (2) – LPGA KEB Hana Bank Championship, Citibanamex Lorena Ochoa Invitational
2019 (1) – Estrella Damm Mediterranean Ladies Open
2021 (1) – Andalucia Costa del Sol Open de Espana
2022 (1) – Estrella Damm Mediterranean Ladies Open
2023 (1) – Aramco Team Series – Florida
2024 (1) – Andalucia Costa del Sol Open de Espana
2025 (1) – Meijer LPGA Classic
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Achievements and Awards
Ladies European Tour Order of Merit Winner – 2012
Ladies European Tour Rookie of the Year – 2012
Ladies European Tour Player of the Year – 2012
Carlota Ciganda | What’s In Her Bag?
The Spaniard features a range of clubs in her bag. She plays Callaway drivers and fairway woods, with Srixon irons and Cleveland wedges. An Odyssey White Hot putter finishes off the bag, with Ciganda playing the Titleist Pro V1x.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Carlota Ciganda
When and where was Carlota Ciganda born?
Carlota Ciganda was born in Pamplona, Spain on June 1, 1990. She began playing golf at the age of 5, influenced by her father.
When did Carlota Ciganda turn professional?
Ciganda turned professional after graduating from Arizona State University with a degree in Business Administration. She made her professional debut in May 2011 at the Tenerife Ladies Match Play, and went on to gain access to a full card on the Ladies European Tour for 2012.
How many professional titles has Carlota Ciganda won?
As of December 2024, Carlota Ciganda has won 12 times in her professional career, including three times on the LPGA Tour. Two of those wins came in the space of four weeks in 2016, with wins at the LPGA KEB Hana Bank Championship and the Citibanamex Lorena Ochoa Invitational, with her latest win coming nine years later. She also has eight wins on the Ladies European Tour, including four on Spanish soil.
Did you Know?
First Season Triple
Ciganda made the move up to the Ladies European Tour full time in 2012. In her first season on the premiere golfing tour in Europe, the Spaniard was named Rookie of the Year and Player of the Year, along with topping the Order of Merit.
Two-Time Olympian
As the leading Spaniard in women’s golf, Ciganda has represented her country on all stages, and none bigger than the Olympics. She finished T39 in Rio, before improving in Tokyo, with a T29 result.
Knocking On Major Door
Although the Spaniard is yet to win a major title, she has been consistently there or thereabouts over the last decade. Ciganda has finished 3rd or T3 at four majors along with three other top fives. In total, Ciganda has top-10 finishes in majors on 10 separate occasions.
Other Carlota Ciganda Articles
Ciganda: ‘I can inspire’ young Spanish golfers
The Slam: Who will be the star of Solheim Cup week?
Carlota Ciganda disqualified after slow play row at the Evian Championship
‘I don’t think that’s fair’: Ciganda has her say on slow play treatment
What do you think of Carlota Ciganda’s career so far? Can she break down that major door? Let us know your thoughts with a post on X, formerly Twitter!
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