Sotogrande, Spain – The Internacional de España Amateur Femenino 2026, Copa de S.M. La Reina, is underway at La Reserva Club de Sotogrande, with Barcelona’s Adriana García Terol setting the pace after a sensational opening round. The tournament, which determines which players advance to the Match Play stage, has already seen strong performances from a number of national and international competitors.
García Terol, the current Spanish Absolute Champion, carded a 69 (-3) to take the lead, becoming one of only six golfers to finish the first day under par. Her round included an eagle and three birdies, positioning her well for a strong showing in the competition. The Copa S.M. La Reina attracts some of Europe’s top female golfers, and this year’s event is no exception, with players vying for a place in the coveted Match Play bracket.
Strong National Contingent in Contention
Fifteen national players are currently within provisional qualifying range for the Match Play stage, which will include the top 64 golfers. Following García Terol, Rut Díaz García finished at par, while Amanda Revuelta Goicoechea is just one stroke behind at +1. Carolina Pérez-Tasso Rodríguez (+2), Ioana García Trifu (+2), Carlota López Minguela (+3), Ángela Revuelta Goicoechea (+3), María Carlón Obregón (+3), Carlota Carmona Rodríguez (+4), Gabriela Rincón De la Torre (+4), Cristina García González (+4), Martina Navarro Navarro (+5), Blanca Gómez-Balboa García (+5), Elena Juanas Crowe (+6), and Nerea Garrido Fernández (+6) also posted scores that currently place them within the qualifying positions. The challenging, windy conditions did not deter these players from delivering impressive performances.
Katrina Bulkovska, the only golfer with local ties to La Reserva de Sotogrande, is currently in 37th place with a score of +4. She recorded birdies on the 6th, 7th, and 13th holes, but was hampered by bogies on the 1st, 8th, 10th, and 17th, as well as a triple bogey on the 14th.
Defending Champion Faces Uphill Battle
Nagore Martínez Salcedo, the defending champion, faces an uphill battle after a challenging first day, currently sitting at +7. She will need a strong second round to climb back into contention and secure a spot in the Match Play stage. The tournament’s expanded format, now spanning six days instead of five as it did until 2022, provides players with more opportunities to adjust and improve their standings.
The competition’s structure involves two days of stroke play, followed by a cut to the top 64 players who will then compete in the Match Play format. This format intensifies the competition, pitting golfers head-to-head in a series of elimination matches.
Castilian-Leonese Representation
The Federación de Golf de Castilla y León highlighted the participation of Cristina García from Olímpico de León and María Carlón from Club de Golf Lerma in this prestigious tournament, showcasing the growing talent within the region. Their presence underscores the increasing depth of competitive golf in Spain.
The Copa S.M. La Reina has transformed La Reserva Club into a hub for European women’s golf, attracting players and fans alike. The event is expected to continue drawing significant attention as the competition progresses.
The second round of stroke play will be crucial as players aim to secure their place in the Match Play bracket. With García Terol leading the charge, the tournament promises to deliver exciting golf and fierce competition. Fans can follow the live results and updates as the event unfolds at Real Federación Española de Golf’s website.
Stay tuned for further updates as the Copa S.M. La Reina progresses, and we’ll continue to bring you the latest news and results from La Reserva Club de Sotogrande. Share your thoughts on the tournament in the comments below!
