Dubai resident Chiara Noja had an up and down round in her first professional outing at the Dubai Moonlight Classic presented by EGA, with the youngster carding a one over par 73 to sit in a share of 37th at Emirates Golf Club.
The 15-year-old, who made the switch to the professional ranks last week, picked up shots at the 8th, 11th, 13th and 14th on the Faldo Course, but traded them with bogeys on the 2nd, 4th and 17th as well as a double-bogey on the 12th.
“Ladies European Tour events are really incredible,” said Noja. “The whole environment of them is just really extreme in the sense of how well organised it is. You have the media station, you have cameras, players’ lounge, etc.
“It’s incredible because you really play against world class players and you sort of feel like you are one of them, too”
And how did she find her first tournament as a professional?
“Playing as a professional was very relaxing,” she added. “To be honest with you I almost forgot, I wasn’t thinking about it. I also forgot there was money on the table and I was like dammit!”
“It was an up and down, but great fun. I absolutely loved it”
Fellow Dubai resident Alison Muirhead sits in a tie for 10th after posting three under, while Maria Fassi leads the way on eight under par at the only night tournament in world golf.
