Staff WriterMexico’s Fernanda Lira isn’t just packing her bags for Spain—she’s returning to the La Sella Open this September (18–21) with the swagger of a player who just walloped the field by six shots at the inaugural Islantilla Open. And let’s be honest, if you win by six, you don’t just walk—you strut.
Lira’s wire-to-wire victory on the LET Access Series wasn’t just a pleasant detour; it was a full-throttle announcement. Her closing round of 69 (-3) capped off a championship total of 8-under-par, enough to not only lift the trophy but also earn her a potential golden ticket back to the La Sella Open—a tournament that’s quickly becoming the crown jewel of the LET calendar.
“I’m so excited because I really enjoyed playing La Sella last year – it was a course that suited me quite well,” said Lira, a player as thoughtful with her words as she is ruthless with her irons.
“I enjoy the fact that it’s the same set– you have the hotel and the golf course there and I remember I really enjoyed that, so I’m looking forward to that.”
And who wouldn’t be? The La Sella Open has earned a growing reputation as the player’s tournament, thanks to its €1,000,000 purse—the largest on the Ladies European Tour—and its setting at the swanky La Sella Golf Resort in Dénia, Alicante.
The José María Olazábal-designed layout saw Germany’s Helen Briem fire a final-round 66 to win it all in 2023. Since then, the event has been named the best tournament on the LET and awarded Best Player Services in 2024. Clearly, they’re doing something right—like treating players like, well, people.
And that matters. Ask Lira: “It does help a lot because it gives you confidence that they are acknowledging how good all of the players on this tour and the LET are.
There are a lot of good players and good talent – it helps you realise that you are really good and that we are in the top percentile in our sport, so it helps that confidence.”
Joining Lira on the road to La Sella is England’s Jessica Hall, who finished runner-up at Islantilla on two-under-par. For the 26-year-old, it’s a dream just getting started.
“It’s unbelievable – I’ve always wanted to do that so it will be nice to get the first one and see what happens there,” she said.
“I’m really excited – I’ve not played in an LET event before so it’ll be pretty cool to see what that’s like.”
Cool, indeed—and probably a bit surreal when you suddenly find yourself sharing the range with Europe’s best on a track designed by a man who knows his way around a Ryder Cup.
Also lurking near the top of the leaderboard at Islantilla were Czechia’s Patricie Mackova and Scotland’s Laura Beveridge (T3), plus a four-way tie for fifth that included French amateur Alice Kong (2025 Amundi Czech Ladies Challenge champion), Allegria Ladies Open winner Gemma Clews, France’s Chloe Salort, and Singapore’s Aloysa Atienza.
With Lira potentially qualifying outright via the LETAS Order of Merit, her invite slot may fall to one of the others—a silver lining that could turn into gold for those hovering just below.
But don’t expect confirmation until September 12, the final registration deadline for La Sella Open. That’s when the draw will take shape, the names will be inked in, and the whispers will start about who might steal the show at Europe’s most player-friendly stage.
Jessica Hall, for one, is already soaking up the good vibes. “It’s massive – this week (at Islantilla) has been great for that too so it makes such a difference.”
In a sport where you often pay your own way just to miss the cut, La Sella Open feels like a breath of fresh Mediterranean air.
It’s golf with a side of dignity—and for these rising stars, that’s worth more than any trophy.
