Britons Charley Hull and Georgia Hall set for Riyadh showdown at Aramco Team Series
RIYADH: Charley Hull is determined to end her 2024 season with a win as she prepares to go head-to-head against Major winner Georgia Hall at Riyadh Golf Club from Oct. 31 to Nov. 2.
The duo, who represented Team Europe in 2024’s Solheim Cup and Team GB in Paris, join Alison Lee of the United States and Thailand’s Patty Tavatanakit as headline players in an electrifying conclusion to the Aramco Team Series presented by PIF, organized by Golf Saudi.
Hull has an impressive track record in the Series, notching up nine top 10 finishes in just 10 appearances. This includes a triumphant individual title win in New York in 2021.
“Competing in Riyadh at the Aramco Team Series this year is a fantastic opportunity for me,” said Hull. “After finishing second in both Tampa and Korea I feel my game is in great shape, and I’m eager to turn those near-misses into a win.”
Since the inception of women’s professional golf in the Kingdom in 2020, Hull has competed in Saudi Arabia eight times.
Reflecting on her experiences, Hull, who became a Golf Saudi ambassador this year, said she had noticed the remarkable growth of golf in Saudi Arabia since her first appearance.
“The work that Golf Saudi continue to do in introducing more women and girls to the game through these events and beyond is inspiring, and the legacy they are creating is one I’m incredibly grateful to be a part of,” she said.
“The sport has grown (in) leaps and bounds here. Last year, we saw the move of the tournaments to Riyadh which I think really shows the Kingdom’s increasing passion for the sport, with more and more fans coming to watch us.”
Meanwhile, Hall has proven her ability to lead a team to victory, winning the 2023 Aramco Team Series presented by PIF in London. She has also enjoyed individual success on Saudi soil, capturing the Aramco Saudi Ladies International 2022 title in Jeddah.
This year, she narrowly missed repeating her team success in London, losing in a thrilling three-hole playoff for the team title, and she remains determined to capture her first individual title in Riyadh.
“The playoff loss in London was hard, especially after coming so close to defending our team title, but it’s moments like those that fuel my determination,” she said.
“I’m more motivated than ever to secure another Aramco Team Series title, and Riyadh is the perfect stage for that. I’m looking forward to the challenge and putting on a great performance for the fans.”
The final showdown of the Aramco Team Series presented by PIF will see the player and fan-favorite format return to Riyadh, with 28 teams competing over three days.
YADH: The NEOM McLaren Formula E Team has announced its full driver lineup for the women’s test, as part of pre-season testing for the 2024-2025 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.
Bianca Bustamante has been involved in racing since the age of five, winning several karting championships in Asia. So far in her single-seater career, Bustamante has competed in W Series, Formula 4 UAE Championship, Italian Formula 4, USF Juniors and most recently F1 Academy. In October 2023, it was announced Bustamante would join the McLaren driver development program, representing the team in the 2024 F1 Academy season with ART Grand Prix.
Ella Lloyd began racing competitively in 2022 in the Ginetta Junior Championship before competing in in the Ginetta GT Championship the following year, finishing as vice-champion.
At the beginning of 2024, Lloyd competed in the Formula Winter Series, securing the female driver trophy several times. She competed in British F4, completing the 2024 season with three P2 results, one P3 and numerous points finishes. She has now joined the McLaren driver development programme and will represent the team in the 2025 F1 Academy season with Rodin Motorsport.
The 2024 women’s pre-season test aims to provide women an opportunity to gain experience in the new GEN3 Evo car, while building their motorsport development.
The NEOM McLaren Formula E Team will be in action at the pre-season testing in Valencia, Spain from Nov. 4-7, before the season starts at the Sao Paulo E-Prix on Dec. 7.
Bustamante said: “I’m looking forward to getting behind the wheel of a GEN3 Evo car with the NEOM McLaren Formula E Team next month in Valencia. I’ve already been honing my skills in the simulator and working with the team so I can extract the most from this opportunity as I can. I’m really looking forward to it.”
Lloyd said: “I’m really excited to be part of the women’s test with the NEOM McLaren Formula E Team. This opportunity will allow me to gain valuable experience in Formula E GEN3 Evo machinery and continue to develop my skills as a racing driver. I can’t wait to get going.”
Ian James, team principal and managing director of NEOM McLaren Electric Racing, said he was excited to work with the two new additions to the team.
“Both drivers have had a smooth integration into the team and have already been developing their skills in the simulator as part of their preparation,” he said.
“I’m glad we can provide Bianca and Ella with a platform to demonstrate their ability and build new career opportunities as part of the championship’s commitment to develop their experience in motorsport. I’m looking forward to seeing how they get on in Valencia next month.”
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