Azahara Muñoz has a strong record on home soil. She won her first professional title on her pro debut, in the 2009 Madrid Ladies Masters and counts back-to-back Andalucia Costa del Sol Open de España titles, in 2016 and 2017, amongst her five wins on the Ladies European Tour.
The fact that she has Hashimoto’s Disease and is playing in her sixth tournament in a row has not deterred her from competing in this week’s Estrella Damm Mediterranean Ladies Open at Club de Golf Terramar in Sitges, Barcelona.
She is determined to support Spanish women’s golf and the organisers, Deporte & Business. “Alicia and Iñigo (Garrido) do an amazing job and Marta (Figueras Dotti) as well. I had lunch with her when I was home before the British Open and as soon as she asked me, I knew I was going to come,” she said. “They do such a good job and I know it’s very important for the Spanish players to be here, so I’m pleased to support them.
“It’s a course I like and I played pretty well last year. There have been a few changes but I haven’t seen the course yet. I’ve been playing well but I just need a few more putts to drop and I’m excited for the week.”
Azahara finished 33rd in last week’s Evian Championship and prior to that, she was seventh in the Lacoste Ladies Open de France, missed the cut in the Portland Classic, T51st in the CP Women’s Open in Canada and was T62nd in the Indy Women in Tech Championship. Her best result so far this year is 2nd in the LOTTE Championship presented by Hershey.
With less than a year to go to The 2019 Solheim Cup at Gleneagles in Scotland, this week also marks another opportunity for her to earn Solheim Cup and World Ranking points, as she currently occupies the eighth and final qualification spot, at 57th on the Rolex Rankings.
Muñoz was a member of the victorious European teams in Ireland in 2011 and in Colorado in 2013 and made her last appearance for Europe in Germany in 2015. She is known as an excellent match play competitor and her sole LPGA title came at the Sybase Match Play Championship in 2012.
