The next step
Recari aims for consistency, top 10 after successful rookie campaign
BY NEAL REID
Beatriz Recari made it count as a rookie last year.
The Spaniard won the CVS/pharmacy LPGA Challenge and had six top-10 finishes in the nine cuts she made en route to $265,466 in earnings, good for 39th on the final 2010 money list. It wasn’t always easy – Recari missed 10 cuts – but the successful season gave her a great foundation going forward.
“It was really special,” Recari said of her rookie year. “I feel like I did a really good job. I had a few missed cuts at the end to overcome, but I have to adapt quickly and get stronger to overcome to play at a high level. I had a couple of top-10s and then some missed cuts. I gained a lot of confidence from finishing strong and then this year to work even harder.”
Recari has carried over her strong play to this season, making 16 of 20 cuts and putting another $196,492 in the bank.
“Last year, it took me a while to get used to it and adapt my game,” Recari said. “This year, I feel better about my preparation and being consistent. I do have some goals and things to improve on for next year, but overall I’m getting more comfortable playing on the LPGA at a high level.”
Playing well on a regular basis is Recari’s chief goal at this point of her career.
“I wanted more consistency this year, and I’ve achieved that,” she said. “I didn’t have that many real high finishes, but I’ve been more consistent. I still want to improve my short game, and I think that, if I can improve my short game, it will make a big difference every week. That’s what I’m working on. I’d like to be able to be up there and have regular top-10s and top-20s and of course, win.”
She hopes consistent play will carry her to a spot in the top 10 and, perhaps, higher.
“I’ve played with Stacy Lewis and a lot of the top-10 players, and I think what really works for them is being consistent week-in and week-out,” Recari said. “You always see the same names up there (at the top) every week, and that’s what I want. I need to sharpen my game and be consistent. I want to be the best I can be. I want to be No. 1, if possible.”
Recari has enjoyed success in golf for some years, winning the 2004 Spanish Amateur Championship and the 2005 French Amateur Championship. She began playing the game at age 11 and was a member of the 2005 European PING Junior Solheim Cup Team.
Recari is a well-rounded athlete, with several outside interests in other sports and athletic pursuits.
“My dad was a soccer coach, so when I was little I was always surrounded by some type of ball to kick or play with at home or with my girlfriends,” she said. “So, I was always very active and very sporty. Now, in my time off, I love going to the gym to work out, go for walks or even play tennis. I love watching sports. I’m still learning about baseball and American football, but I’m getting into it, little by little. I love it.”
Recari, who speaks English and Spanish fluently, has also been studying Japanese. She doesn’t sit still very long and has an affinity for languages that stems from an inherent desire to learn and grow as a person.
Through it all, Recari has been having fun on Tour, especially this season.
“I’m definitely able to enjoy it more after my rookie year,” she said. “I’m really happy with where I am, and I’m really proud of myself for being able to play well here and maintain myself at this level. I’m more motivated to keep working hard and improve my game to get to the top.”