Golf
Mexico’s Gaby López wins LPGA China Blue Bay tournament
The 25-year-old won the event with a 1-over 73 to finish one shot ahead of her closest rival Ariya Jutanugarn.
Mexico’s 136th ranked Gaby López won her first LPGA Tour event on Saturday when she triumphed at the US$2.1 million Blue Bay tournament in China.
The 25-year-old golfer beat off world number one Ariya Jutanugarn of Thailand, carding a final-round 73 to go eight under for the tournament and a one-stroke win.
Jutanugarn had a birdie on the final hole to also finish on 73, while France’s Celine Boutier shot a 66 and finished two shots off the lead.
López had marked her 25th birthday on Friday by hitting a hole-in-one at the 17th, grabbing the third-round lead.
López: “Ochoa is my inspiration”
She is the first winner from Mexico since Lorena Ochoa, who was a driving force for golf in the country.
'I mean, she's been my inspiration my entire life,' Lopez said of Ochoa. 'That's why I'm actually a professional golfer.'
Ochoa was the LPGA top-ranked golfer for seven years until she retired in 2010. She won 27 LPGA Tour titles.
The Blue Bay tournament wrapped up five weeks of play for LPGA in Asia.