The golden generation of Spanish women’s golf continues to knock down doors and add milestones that highlight a group that aims to break through with strength in a few years. One of the main leaders of this group is Julia López Ramírez (Benahavís, 21), who last week became the first Spaniard to lead the world amateur ranking of women, the one where the great promises of world golf gather . The Malaga native continues to improve at Mississippi State, a university in North America where he continues to increase his achievements: he has eight wins (a program record), two years in a row who became the best player in the Southeastern Conference (SEC). . Called to do great things, Julia talks to AS about the sweet moment she’s had and what the future holds for her.
Question: Number one in the world, said soon. How do you feel?
Answer: I found out when I started playing in the second round of the European Championship last week. I know that the first one (Helen Briem) turned professional and I’m behind it, but I think it won’t be updated until next week. So I was surprised, the first thing I did was call home, it was a great joy and my mother and I started crying. This is something not to be missed.
Do you have your number one goal?
I always look high, I set high goals, if I don’t reach them then nothing, but I always try to have high goals and reach them. And the truth is that yes, number one is always one of them. I put it on my Blume, it was obviously very complicated to achieve it, but look, with work and effort I got there.
And what goals are you waiting for now?
Now I want to stay number one as long as I can, and when I come to the United States next month, continue to play in tournaments and show my face, try to stay at the top of the ranking and keep it up as many weeks as possible. .
What roadmap do you need to become a professional?
Well, I still have one more year of university (studying Economics), then the plan is to finish my year at university and, when finished, make the professional move. I want to try it in the United States, I want to try it first and then continue there, try in the United States to get the LPGA card, those are my goals now.
What has living, training and competing in the United States given you?
There they make everything very easy for you to combine studies and golf, and that helped me a lot to continue studying and get a degree. There are individual competitions, but also for teams and we all train, we play tournaments together… There they help you prepare training sessions, you can organize yourself as much or as little as you want and they put everything on the table for you. Every person is different and needs different things and they adapt to everything.
At Mississippi State he was an institution, the player with the most victories.
It is an achievement to have many records and win all the tournaments for the university, but, as I said before, I am a person who sets high goals for myself. And I think that’s why it’s not enough.
And he has played professional tournaments, even missing a British Open. How do you see yourself next to the best in the world?
I think golf is there, and I have the game to be professional, but obviously there are things to clean up, like the issue of training, going to the gym… I did that, of course, but with a professional level everyone They have more time to dedicate to sports. I am now 50-50 between school and golf. So it’s different when I turn pro, I don’t have to study and I can invest more time in golf, taking my training to the next level. I think that’s where I can improve and take that little step, which is what I’m missing.
You are part of a golden generation, what is special about you and all the Spanish players you are with?
Above all, we make an excellent team. When we compete for Spain, and also when it’s an individual tournament, we always support each other and fight all the time. We all have a lot of drive, a lot of enthusiasm for what’s to come, and I think that’s what keeps us at the top. We are all very happy and motivated to continue and to win more medals and tournaments.
And with Spanish stars like Carlota Ciganda, what is your relationship?
I played two rounds with Carlota in the Spanish Open last year, and the truth is that it is an honor to play with her, to treat you like a friend, like another Spaniard. He reached the concentrations of the Spanish Federation and helped us a lot, he guided us. I think that’s always something that keeps us in line and on the right path.
For those who haven’t seen you play, how would you describe yourself on the field?
I am a very smiling country person, I like to go about my business and be happy. I really like to hit a driving bomb, hit it hard, it’s something that makes me happy. I’m aggressive in the sense of playing the game, and that’s something that gives me motivation to continue and have motivation ahead of me on every hole.
And off the field?
I really like motorcycles, my father always does tests and the motorcycle is something that is in my house all the time. Since I was little I started playing golf and motorcycles, and it’s something that helps me and relaxes me, it’s fun for me to play. I also do a lot of sports, I play soccer sometimes… Even though I have a small head, I don’t get into accidents, so I’m just a little calmer and not too much. crazy.
Where do you see yourself in the long term? Do you dream of a particular tournament?
The transition to professionalism is not as easy as it seems and it takes a lot of work, but the truth is that I feel that I can go far and that I can do something for Spain and for myself. I can’t wait to take that step and be with the best, especially to show and tell myself that I can do it. The Olympic Games and Solheim always come first, it’s always a goal I have because it’s nice to represent Spain or Europe in such an individual sport. I think those two tournaments are at my peak, which I have always dreamed of.
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