For many players the Tour’s fall Asia Swing is the icing on top of a long and grinding season, which this year included a stretch of 11 consecutive events through the summer. The swing is an opportunity for approximately 60 players, based on their current position on this year's money list, to play in six events throughout Asia without having to worry about missing the cut.
It’s a reward rookie Gaby Lopez rightfully earned but is only this week beginning to enjoy.
The day before the former Razorback turned Olympian was ready to leave for her trip to the Reignwood LPGA Classic in China, the first of the Tour’s Asia Swing, Lopez rolled her ankle on the root of a tree, suffering a second-degree sprain which sidelined her for the past two weeks.
“I am a believer that everything happens for a reason, and probably my body needed this time to rest and work on different areas of my game,” Lopez told LPGA.com via email.
The forced hiatus came as a welcome relief for the rookie who has had a busy first year on Tour with two top-11 finishes and a trip to Rio to represent Mexico in the Olympic games. The trip home allowed Lopez to catch up with longtime mentor and role model, Lorena Ochoa, who invited her to participate in a press conference at the National Palace for the upcoming Lorena Ochoa Invitational announcing the tournament’s return to her home course Club de Golf Mexico for the third year.
“She has been very close to me all year long. Since we play too much golf during the season, she advised me to take some time off when needed, listening to my body and finding proper rest is key to perform well in future events,” said Lopez. “She is a perfect example of what being number one on and off the golf course looks like.”
Lopez says she will continue to wear an aircast this week at the LPGA KEB Hana Bank Championship where she will make her first start since missing the cut at the Evian Championship. She will play alongside Gerina Piller and Mirim Lee during Thursday’s opening round. The group tees off at 9:45 a.m. local time.
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