TWO ACES, TEAM TAMBURLINI TRIUMPH AND TWO TIED AT THE TOP

Two hole-in-ones, a dramatic winning putt in the team competition, and two superstars ready to go head-to-head. It’s fair to say it’s been a dramatic day two of the Aramco Team Series presented by PIF – Shenzhen.

First, the individual competition, where China’s Xiyu Lin and France’s Celine Boutier are poised to give the crowd in Shenzhen a final round for the ages at Mission Hills China on Sunday.

Each sit at 12-under-par at the end of the second round, Lin posting a score of 67 and Boutier 68; the Frenchwoman blemish free on the World Cup Course at Mission Hills China.

“Any bogey-free round is always good, especially when you're trying to shoot a low score,” commented Boutier. “I think my game has been very steady all day, and I didn't really miss too many greens, which was good.

“Tomorrow I'm just going to try to play the same way, but more aggressively, try to make as many birdies as I can. I think we'll probably have to shoot a low score to get it.”

Meanwhile, Xiyu Lin’s seven birdies were the joint-highest on the course, demonstrating the Olympian’s ability to attack the course and put the pressure on her competitors.

Lin’s team came up short today with a fourth placed finish, but the chance to go all the way in the individual event on day three of the tournament is one she’s relishing.

“The number one priority for me right now is to get a good rest,” said Lin. “I definitely left it out there the last couple of holes as I was it was really hot, and I was slightly losing concentration.

“I will just have to see what happens tomorrow. It will be a little bit more fiery than the team competition, but I'm just going to play my own game.”

Lin is looking to be the first to retain an individual trophy in the history of the  Aramco Team Series presented by PIF, having won the equivalent event in Hong Kong in 2023.

Whilst the individual competition was heating up, the final day of the team competition came to a stunning conclusion – the lead changing hands often throughout the day.

Ultimately, it was Team Tamburlini that emerged victorious, with the in-form LET rookie Chiara Tamburlini stepping up, fresh from her second win of the year last week, at the Lacoste Ladies Open de France.  

After the 16^th hole where Qianhui Lin of the CLPGA drained an eagle, it was up to captain Tamburlini to stand tall and make a birdie putt on the 18^th hole. Unfazed, the Swiss rising star rolled the ball home, earning her side the win with the lowest team score of the season, 37-under-par.

“I have been excited about all the Aramco Team Series events I've been able to play this year,” said Tamburlini.

“This is a format that kind of suits me, personality wise. I just really, really enjoy the team spirit of it. I've had a couple good finishes with the team so far, but I’ve come all the way this week. It just feels super, super special.”

Tamburlini was joined by Tour veteran Lee-Anne Pace who had already claimed four individual titles in China across her career, bringing a wealth of experience to contribute four birdies to the team.

A co-organized event between Golf Saudi and CGA, the field included 20 CLPGA players, with Tamburlini’s team rounded off with Qianhui Lin and CGA elite amateur Yanxuan Peng, just fifteen years old.

The drama wasn’t done just yet, however, with Mission Hills China treated to not one, but two hole-in-ones, within ten minutes of each other – on the same hole.

France's Emma Grechi and Sweden’s Moa Folke, playing in consecutive groups, were able to end their days on a high, acing the 126-yard par 3 - with the latter carding her very first hole-in-one on the LET.

The innovative event in Shenzhen is the fourth Aramco Team Series presented by PIF event of the season, following tournaments in Tampa, Seoul and London.

After Shenzhen, the Series – which was first brought to the LET by Golf Saudi back in 2021, adding $5million in prize money annually, will climax at Riyadh Golf Club in the Saudi Arabian capital, October 31 – November 2.