Spain’s Nuria Iturrioz resisted a charge from England’s Charley Hull to take victory at the Aramco Houston Championship.
Hull gave herself an excellent chance by going around in a five-under par 67, but had to settle for a tie for second place alongside Iturrioz’s compatriot Carlota Ciganda on 11 under par.
The pair eventually finished two shots behind Iturrioz at Golfcrest Country Club, as the 29-year-old birdied three of the last five holes to claim a fifth Ladies European Tour title.
Iturrioz was keen to thank caddie David Floyd for the hard work he’s put in to help her end a win drought that stretch back to the summer of 2023.
“I’m really happy! I’m really glad I have this trophy. Thank you very much for everything,” said Iturrioz. “With my caddie, we have been working a lot throughout the year, and we have been up there a couple of times, but this win is for him also.
“I was really looking forward to winning one of these PIF Global Series events. I have won as part of the Team before. It’s really special to do it here in the U.S. knowing I have been trying to get to the LPGA and knowing I can play these courses well is good.”
The fifth win on tour takes her one clear of fellow 29-year-old Hull, who was playing in her first tournament a fall over a kerb left her with ankle ligament damage.
As a two-time winner in Houston previously, the World No 10 was full of confidence and picked up three shots in the first three holes.
From there on, she only managed another two, which was enough Hull’s second consecutive runners-up spot, following her second-placed finish the AIG Women’s Open at Royal Porthcawl in early August.
“I played A1 golf all day,” she said. “I played really well, and I hit some nice shots coming in. I made a good par on the last, I was trying to go for the putt, but it didn’t break.
“Especially with my injury and coming back, I didn’t think I’d play well this week, so I’m happy with my result. It’s not enough today, but I’m looking forward to Cincinnati next week.”
What’s next?
The Ladies European Tour heads to Switzerland for the VP Bank Swiss Ladies Open at Golfpark Holzhausern, which runs from 11-13 September, whilst the LPGA Tour heads to Ohio for the Kroger Queen City Championship at TPC River’s Bend.
