Julia Lopez Ramirez, the LPGA's longest hitter, is currently working on regaining her speed after undergoing an emergency appendectomy. The 22-year-old Spanish rookie from Mississippi State experienced abdominal pain during the Blue Bay LPGA in China, initially thinking it was food poisoning. Despite enduring the discomfort for two rounds before flying back home, she eventually required immediate surgery upon her return.
Given a four-week recovery period by doctors, Lopez Ramirez defied expectations by returning to competition just two weeks post-operation at the Ford Championship in Arizona, where she finished 73rd. Now participating in the JM Eagle LA Championship at El Caballero Country Club, she shot a 4-under 68 in the opening round but noted a decrease in driving distance to an average of 269 yards, down from her leading 291.69-yard average on the LPGA.
Struggling with diminished distance due to her recent health setback, Lopez Ramirez attributed the loss of around 10 to 15 yards to her inability to engage in physical training until recently. Despite the challenges faced during her recovery, she remains dedicated to her performance as a rookie on the LPGA tour.