Maria Villanueva has shown flashes of brilliance throughout the 2026 LET Access Series (LETAS) season.
The 25-year-old Spaniard has twice finished inside the Top 10, coming fourth at April’s season-opening Madaef Golfs Ladies Open and tied-10th at September’s Lavaux Ladies Open.
“It feels very good to be able to drive to a tournament, play in Spain and have Spanish food,” she said. “I’m very excited. My goal is to play at the level that I practice. I feel like this year I have been practicing good, but in the tournament my game hasn’t been at the level I think it can be.
“In those those two tournaments, I feel like if I do my thing, I can be on top, but I’m not doing it consistently. When I’m able to stay calm and control my emotions, I can give myself a lot of opportunities. I think the key for me is to stay calm, be consistent and play smart.”
Despite missing eight cuts this season, Villanueva enters the Iberdrola Calatayud Ladies Open as the top-ranked Spanish golfer on the LETAS Order of Merit (OOM) in the 47th spot.
This week, the San Sebastian native will have the help of Iñigo Urquizu, who caddies for 2017 Masters champion Sergio Garcia, as she aims to make a late charge up the OOM standings.
“He (Urquizu) caddied for me at a Spanish tournament on the Santander Tour this summer,” she said. “We were in the lead after the first two days, but we had a bad hole and didn’t get the win. We were a great team.
“I feel he gives me a lot of confidence in putting and reading the greens. I usually do a good job preparing the course, but having some else that tells you what you are doing, it’s the right decision. It’s easier to commit to the shot.
“He has caddied before for Marta Martin (LET winner), Renato Paratore and of course Sergio (Garcia). He caddied for Sergio the last three events. I will need to play kind of good to impress him.”
Back home in the Basque country, Villanueva has been under the tutelage of two-time Masters champion José María Olazábal.
“It’s a lot of fun to practice with him,” she said. “He gives me a lot of advice with the short game. He has helped a lot, but the most important advice I would say is trying to be consistent and keep going.
“I also play with Joseba (Torres) who is his nephew. Joseba was about to lose his Challenge Tour card and the last four tournaments he has played incredible.
“I’m trying to inspire myself on him. It’s super nice to be able to practice with him everyday, he’s so passionate and it’s nice to surround yourself with people that love what they do everyday.”
Like Joseba Torres’ inspired four-tournament run, Villanueva is hoping to at least finish inside the top 32 in the OOM to earn an exemption from the first week of Q-School.
She added: “I just want to stay consistent with my routines, stay patient and play aggressive. I’m confident that I can have a low round one day and I will keep looking for that round.”
