Carlota Ciganda
A powerful Spanish golfer who stormed onto the professional scene by winning the European Tour's money list in her spectacular rookie year.
Born 1990 (age 36)·Spanish professional golfer·Birthday: June 1·Millennials
Biography
Carlota Ciganda won the Ladies European Tour Order of Merit in 2012, her rookie season as a professional. Born in Pamplona in 1990, she turned professional in 2011 after a standout amateur career that included wins at the European Ladies Amateur Championship. She seized the Order of Merit title by winning two LET events that year, a rare achievement for a first-year player. She joined the LPGA Tour in 2013 and has remained a consistent contender, known for driving distance and a streaky putter. Ciganda has played on five European Solheim Cup teams since 2013, posting a strong match-play record. She won the 2020 LPGA Drive On Championship and the 2021 ShopRite LPGA Classic. Her fiery competitiveness energizes team events. She represents the next generation of Spanish women's golf, following in the footsteps of predecessors like Marta Figueras-Dotti.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Carlota was born in 1990, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Carlota Was Born
The biggest hits of 1990
#1 Movie
Home Alone
Best Picture
Dances with Wolves
#1 TV Show
Roseanne
Carlota's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1990Born
Hubble Space Telescope launched; Germany reunifies
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.80/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Hold On" — Wilson PhillipsBest Picture: Dances with Wolves
1995Started school
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
2003Became a teenager
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2006Could drive
Twitter launches; Pluto reclassified as dwarf planet
Gas: $2.59/galHome: $174,700Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Bad Day" — Daniel PowterBest Picture: The Departed
2008Could vote
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2011Turned 21
Osama bin Laden killed; Arab Spring sweeps the Middle East
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $138,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Rolling in the Deep" — AdeleBest Picture: The Artist
2020Turned 30
COVID-19 pandemic shuts down the world
Gas: $2.17/galHome: $248,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Blinding Lights" — The WeekndBest Picture: Nomadland
2026Age 36 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the Ladies European Tour Order of Merit (money title) in her debut professional season in 2012.
- A multiple-time Solheim Cup team member for Europe, contributing to victorious campaigns.
- Has won multiple tournaments on both the Ladies European Tour and the LPGA Tour.
- Swept the LET's major awards in 2012, winning Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year simultaneously.
Did You Know?
She was a standout amateur, winning the British Ladies Amateur Golf Championship in 2007.
She is known for her exceptionally long drives, often ranking among the longest hitters on tour.
She hails from the same city, Pamplona, Spain, famous for the Running of the Bulls festival.
She studied at Arizona State University, following in the footsteps of many great golfers.
“I play aggressive because that's how you win tournaments.”
