Malak Bouraeda is making history this week at her first U.S. Women’s Open presented by ProMedica. She is the first golfer – woman or man – from Morocco and the Arab region to play in a major in the United States. Bouraeda follows the steps of another Moroccan woman, Maha Haddioui, who played the AIG Women’s British Open in 2016 and 2021.

“Helping grow the game in Morocco and the region is a big thing and I love the community that is supporting me. It is fun to uphold the fact that women golfers are doing better than men,” said 21-year-old Bouraeda, who recently completed her senior year at the University of Colorado and is planning to return to the golf team as a fifth-year senior while pursuing a master’s degree in Strategic Communications.

Bouraeda, who was born in St. Louis, Missouri to a Moroccan father and American mother, made it to her first major by winning her qualifier at Walnut Creek Golf Preserve in Colorado. “I did not even play a practice round and I went in with no expectations. It was a nerve-racking day,” said Bouraeda, who finished at 143 for 36 holes, enough for a trip to Pine Needles Lodge and Golf Club.

“I got here pretty early on Saturday. I think this course suits me quite well and I just need to hit the ball in the right spots,” said Malak while practicing the course for the fourth time along with her caddie and her dad Zach, easy to spot with a Moroccan flag on his backpack.

“My grandmother used to cook a lot for me, and I fell in love with Moroccan food and culture. I take a lot of pride in being Moroccan and it is a fun motivation when I am in situations like this one,” said Bouraeda, whose grandparents moved in for a few years with her and her dad in Texas after she lost her mom at 10 years of age.

Around that time, Bouraeda, who “has been told” she started playing golf when she was three, began to experience big competitions as a junior in the Pinehurst area. “A lot of my memories of important events originate in this part of the country. It feels very special and pretty full circle to come back here for my first major,” she said.

“I think she’s a great golfer and has the potential to achieve a good ranking this week, I’m sure she will do her best and enjoy the experience as much as possible,” said her fellow countrywoman and golfer Lina Belmati, who is representing Morocco at an LET Access tournament in the Czech Republic this week and hopes to join Malak on the LPGA Tour one day.

“I met Malak three years ago when we played a LET Access tournament together in Switzerland. She is a great girl full of ambition and has a great work ethic,” added Belmati, another promising young golfer who has benefited from the junior programs of the Royal Moroccan Golf Federation.

“I haven’t been back in a few years, but the connection I have to that part of my culture seems to be stronger than ever,” said Malak Bouraeda, referring to her relationship with Lina and other women golfers from Morocco and the strong support she is receiving from her dad’s home country and the Arab region as she readies for her first major appearance.

Bouraeda makes history for golf in Morocco and the Arab region

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