There have been few Arab achievements in the world of golf that are worthy of pride. However, it seems that is about to change as Ines Laklalech, the Moroccan golfer, has achieved a remarkable milestone in Arab golf by becoming the first Arab female player to earn a Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) card, the largest tour for women’s golf. This is a historic achievement for the Arab region.
Ines Laklalech, 25 years old, hails from Casablanca, Morocco. She began her journey in the world of golf at the age of 10, learning to play at the local club, “Royal Golf Anfa.” She trained rigorously to improve her skills and reach the highest level possible.
As her skills improved and her desire to compete grew, Ines joined the Moroccan national team at the age of 12 and participated in the African Championship and the World Amateur Championship twice. Afterward, she decided to move to the United States to continue her studies at Wake Forest University. Facing challenges within the collegiate system, she decided to leave and moved to the United Kingdom to study management sciences at the University of London. During that period, Ines participated in major amateur tournaments, both with the Moroccan national team and as an individual.
Throughout her amateur career, Ines demonstrated immense potential, participating in numerous tournaments and securing victories in many of them. Among her notable wins are the Arab Ladies Championship in 2018, the Moroccan Championship in 2019, and the Grand Prix Mohammed VI in 2020.
In 2021, while still an amateur player, Ines competed in the final qualifying stage of the Ladies European Tour (LET) and finished in 15th place at La Manga Golf Club, earning her card on the European tour. She then decided to turn professional at the beginning of 2022 and made her professional debut at the Aramco Saudi Ladies Championship in March of the same year.
September 2022 will remain entrenched in Ines’s and Arab golf’s history. Ines achieved an unprecedented accomplishment by winning the French Women’s Open on the Ladies European Tour in France, defeating her competitor Meghan MacLaren in a playoff. With this victory, she became the first Moroccan, first Arab, and first North African player to win a title on the Ladies European Tour.
Ines did not stop there. After competing in eight grueling rounds in the final stage of the LPGA qualifying school, she finished in 12th place with a score of 19 under par, securing her LPGA card for 2023. This achievement not only confirms her skills and ability to compete at the highest level of women’s golf but also represents a symbol of hope and motivation for Arab girls who aspire to pursue their passion and fulfill their potential in the world of golf.
Inas Laklalech possesses exceptional talent in the game of golf and a strong determination to achieve success. By achieving these historic milestones, she becomes an inspiration to Arab and Moroccan youth, reflecting individuals’ ability to achieve their dreams through hard work and strong dedication. We eagerly look forward to what the coming years hold for Ines in her professional journey as she competes against the best women golfers in the world.
