Tristan Jones/LET

Eight months ago, a young schoolgirl from Dubai achieved a remarkable feat by claiming a Ladies European  Tour crown at the age of 16. Some eight months later, Chiara Noja finds herself as one of the hottest prospects in golf as one of the most consistent and longest drivers on tour.

She is showing no signs of slowing down with her following results after defeating Charley Hull in a dramatic playoff in the Aramco Team Series — Jeddah Individual Tournament at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club reading: T11, T12, 3, T11, T38, T2.

The now-17 German’s whirlwind rise to the top reached new heights last month as she made her LPGA debut at the ShopRite Classic on a sponsor’s invite — and finished in no less than 12th spot in a field that featured the cream of the game including Anna Nordqvist, Brooke Henderson, Georgia Hall, Aditi Ashok, Paula Creamer, Stacy Lewis, Ayaka Furue, Atthaya Thitikul and eventual winner Ashleigh Buhai.

No mean feat!

Noja climbed into the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings Top 100 (No. 91) as a result of her performances and was sitting fifth in the Ladies European Tour season-long Race to Costa del Sol standings. 

Following another solid showing at Stockton Seaview Hotel and Golf Club in New Jersey on her LPGA bow, Noja took time out of her hectic schedule (while on a six-hour layover in Portugal) to speak to Golf Digest Middle East about her journey since that memorable day at King Abdullah Economic City in Saudi Arabia.

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It has been quite a trip since your victory in Jeddah, can you take us through the experience to date?

It’s been both an incredibly hectic few months as well as especially rewarding. I’ve travelled a lot, and managed to play some great golf in the midst of everything which is always nice. 

I have had lots of firsts, with my 62 in South Africa [Investec SA Women’s Open, where she finished third at Steenberg Golf Club in Cape Town] and now my first start on the LPGA, which have all been amazing experiences coming off the back of the win in Jeddah. 

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You have maintained your strong end to 2022 into the LET 2023 season, how has it been for you? 

I’ve been playing well and working hard so it’s nice to see some of that work deep through into results. 

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And you are looking good on the Costa Del Sol standings. What are your goals for the Race?

I think I’m still approaching every event individually but it’s great seeing that my performances are mirrored on the rankings and I’m excited to see how things develop by the end of the season.  

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You have been juggling your GCSEs along with your career, how were the exams and when are the results in? 

I have been given amazing support by my school that has allowed me to sit my exams in October and November and then January next year. Thankfully I have not had to sit my exams yet! 

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And, of course, you just made your LPGA debut at the Shoprite, how did it compare to your previous experiences in the States? 

Obviously, it is a little different than playing on the Ladies European Tour. I’m super grateful to have been given the opportunity and I’m glad I could capitalise on it. 

I had amazing support in the crowds throughout the week and it was a super heart-warming and special week for me. 

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You certainly have been getting the air miles in. How are you coping with all the travel?

I think travel comes in a package deal with your life and I’m super grateful to be able to do what I do and travelling is another bonus to an amazing schedule of countries. 

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Finally, what’s up next in your hectic schedule?

I will be getting home to Dubai for a week, and will then take a rest, re-evaluate and plan the rest of my season.