Carlota Ciganda Facts: 20 Things To Know About The Spanish Golfer

Carlota Ciganda is one of Europe's best players, with the Arizona State University alumnus forging an impressive pro career after some big wins as an amateur.

The Spaniard has become a European Solheim Cup legend and has multiple wins on the LPGA and Ladies European Tours.

Get to know her life and career better with these facts...

Carlota Ciganda facts:

1. Her full name is Carlota Ciganda Machienena, and she was born in Pamplona, Spain.

2. Ciganda began playing golf at the age of 5, with her father the main influence in her decision to take up the sport.

3. Her uncle is former Osasuna and Athletic Bilbao soccer player and manager Jose Angel Ziganda.

4. While still an amateur, Ciganda played in several professional tournaments - including the 2005 Tenerife Ladies Open at age 14.

5. Carlota attended Arizona State University from 2008 to 2011, where she studied Business Administration alongside her collegiate golf career.

6. She can speak four languages.

7. Ciganda beat Anna Nordqvist in the final to win the 2007 British Ladies Amateur. She lost to Azahara Munoz in the 2009 final.

8. She won the European Ladies Amateur Championship in 2004 and 2008. She won by eight strokes in 2008 and then won in a playoff in 2008 after losing in a playoff to Caroline Hedwall in 2007.

9. She was the Spanish National age group champion from 2000 to 2006.

10. She turned professional in 2011.

11. She finished 2nd in her debut pro start at the Tenerife Ladies Match Play, losing to Becky Brewerton in the final.

12. Her maiden pro victory came on the LET Access Series at the 2011 Murcia Ladies Open.

13. She won her first Ladies European Tour title in June 2012 at the Delotitte Ladies Open in The Netherlands and then won her second in October 2012 at the China Suzhou Taihu Open.

14. She won the Ladies European Tour Rookie of the Year, Player of the Year and Order of Merit in 2012.

15. Her first LPGA Tour win came at the 2016 LPGA KEB Hana Bank Championship in South Korea. She won her second LPGA title the following month at the Lorena Ochoa Invitational in Mexico.

16. Ciganda has played on seven Solheim Cup teams - every single one since 2013.

17. She secured the crucial point to tie the 2023 match and retain the cup for Europe when she defeated Nelly Korda in the single at Finca Cortesin, Spain.

18. She won the season-long 2019 AON Risk Reward Challenge, collecting the $1,000,000 prize.

19. She played in the Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

20. Her best Major finish is a solo-3rd at the 2018 US Women's Open.