In this episode I was pleased to be joined by a truly talented young player in 2023 European Ladies' Amateur Champion, 3x Palmer Cup Participant & Former World Number 1 Amateur Julia Lopez Ramirez as we discuss her upbringing, brilliant amateur career and what her rookie season on LPGA Tour has looked like in her own view so far.

Julia is from Benahavis in Malaga and developed her impressive driving ability from getting in her own words 'teased by her coach' that he could hit it further. 

Julia would go to Mississippi State University as part of the Mississippi Bulldogs and would win 8 individual titles which included the prestigious 2023 European Ladies' Amateur Championship defeating then World Number 1 player Ingrid Lindblad in a thrilling final as well as participating in 3x Palmer Cups for Team International, 2023 Vagliano Trophy participant, 2023 Espirito Santo Trophy participant for Spain & 3x European Ladies' Amateur Team Championships for Spain which included winning for Spain in 2023 alongside ANWA champion Carla Bernat Escuder, Carolina Lopez-Chacarra, Cayetana Fernandez, Tejedo Mulet & Lopez Ortega. Julia would also be the 2023 Southeastern Conference Player of the Year & of course Number 1 Amateur in the world in 2024.

At the end of 2024 Julia would turn pro and would finish T10th at Final Stage of LPGA Q School to gain a tour card for this year 2025. She would tee it up in her first full event as a LPGA pro in Bradenton, Florida for Founders Cup before struggling with a shoulder injury that would hinder her start to the year before finding form early summer finishing T29th at Liberty National for Mizuho Americas Open followed by T45 at Mexico Riviera Maya. At Erin Hills for US Womens Open in June would see Julia be joint first round leader and 2nd going into the final day being in the final group at a major, although it didn't go to plan on the Sunday Julia sees the positives from that week and would make the weekend at 2 of the next majors T36th at KPMG PGA Championship & T28th at Evian Championship. At the Scottish Women's Open in July it would see Julia post her best LPGA Tour finish at Dundonald Links finishing T3rd before struggling at the tough Royal Porthcawl for AIG Women's Open.

It was a great pleasure to have Julia on the podcast. Such a talented player to watch. I wish her nothing but the best for the future and her battle to make CME Tour Finals.

This show is in co-operation with Bunker Brigade Golf Apparel. Bunker Brigade is a golf brand formed in 2024 in Lanarkshire, Scotland. It's main objective is high quality clothing for affordable prices so be sure to check the Bunker Brigade website for the latest clothing.