This is Julia Lopez Ramirez: The rising star making waves in the 2025 U.S. Women’s Open

The golden generation of Spanish women’s golf continues to break down doors and achieve milestones that highlight a generation that aims to make a strong entrance in just a few years. One of the main leaders of this group is Julia López Ramírez (22).

She won eight times at Mississippi State and was named best golfer in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) two years in a row. In addition to countless other victories with her home country Spain, such as the individual and team European Championships she is showing her talent on the biggest stage this week at the 2025 U.S. Women’s Open at Erin Hills. Julia talked to AS Sports last year about her game and plans for the future.

Tells us about your goals

I always aim high, I set high goals. If I can’t achieve them, then nothing, but I always try to have fairly high goals and reach them. And the truth is, yes, number one (amateur ranking) was always one of them. Obviously, it was very difficult to achieve, but look at it, with work and effort, I got there.

What was it like studying and competing in the United States?

They make everything very easy for you to combine your studies and golf, and that helped me a lot in continuing my studies. There are individual competitions, but also team competitions, and we all train together, play in tournaments together... They help you prepare your workouts; you can organize things more or less the way you want, and they lay everything out for you. Everyone is unique and needs different things, and they adapt to everything.

How do you compare to the best in the world?

I think my golf game is there, and I can compete as a professional, but obviously there are things left to refine, like training, going to the gym...

You’re part of a golden generation. What’s so special about you and all the Spanish players you team up with?

Above all, we make a great team. When we compete for Spain, and also in individual tournaments, we always support each other and fight hard at all times. We all have a lot of drive, a lot of excitement about what lies ahead, and I think that’s what keeps us at the top. We’re all very happy and enthusiastic to continue and to win more medals and tournaments.

And with Spanish stars like Carlota Ciganda, what’s your relationship like?

I played two rounds with Carlota at the Spanish Open, and the truth is that it was an honor just to be able to play with her, to have her treat you like a friend, like another Spaniard. She’s come to Spanish Federation training camps and helped us a lot, she’s guided us. I think that’s always something that has kept us on track and on the right path.

How do you define yourself on the course?

I’m a very smiley person on the course; I like to go about my business and be happy. I really like to hit bombs with my driver, hit them hard; it’s something that makes me happy. I’m aggressive when it comes to playing sports, and that’s something that gives me the drive to keep going and stay motivated on every hole.

And off the course?

I’ve always loved riding motorcycles. I started playing golf and riding motorcycles when I was little, and it’s something that helps me and relaxes me; I enjoy riding. I also play a lot of sports; I play soccer from time to time... Although I have to be a bit more careful; I can’t get injured, so I take it a little more calmly and don’t go so crazy.

Future plans?

The transition to professional athletics isn’t as easy as it seems, and it requires a lot of work, but the truth is, I feel I can go far and do something for Spain and for myself. I can’t wait to take that step and be with the best, especially to prove and tell myself that I’m capable of it. The Olympic Games and Solheim always come first; they’ve always been goals I have because it’s nice to represent Spain or Europe in such an individualistic sport. I think those two tournaments are in my top tier, something I’ve always dreamed of.

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