BLUE BAY LPGA

March 7, 2024

Gaby Lopez

Jian Lake Blue Bay Golf Course

Quick Quotes

Q. All right, I'm here with Gaby Lopez, defending champion here at Blue Bay LPGA. I know you mentioned briefly in the press conference, but what's it like to defend, especially being a different scenario after six years?

GABY LOPEZ: Yeah, it's always very special to come back to a place where you performed well.

I think defending, it's always, the stats say it, it's a tough task. But at the same time I've got like just no expectations. Just go out there and literally just remind me of like good memories and just kind of hold onto those good past feels that I found out there in 2018.

But, yeah, the golf course is great. They've changed a couple holes, but we just really have a great venue to compete on.

Q. Have you had a chance to see the differences between 16 and 17 yet?

GABY LOPEZ: I have not. I'm probably a little sad that 17 is different because I made a hole-in-one there in 2018.

Yeah, no, I'm looking forward to just kind of having a fresh experience here.

Q. I know you mentioned it also, but what's to like to walk around here with all the fond memories?

GABY LOPEZ: It's been so fun. Seeing your picture holding a trophy reminds you of, hey, you're a champion. It kind of just brings me much more positive self-talk, because sometimes we are very hard on ourselves and very strict, especially me. I'm always kind of chasing that improvement over time, and sometimes kind of a little validation from a picture or good memory, it's always very welcome.

Q. Was there a small part of you, too, not knowing when the next edition would be, that you were sad you might not get the chance to defend?

GABY LOPEZ: Yeah, no, 100%. My family was like, oh, well, you're the forever defending champ. I was like, I really want to be back there. It's just a perfect way to kind of get back into that mojo of like, okay, I performed well. I got the skills. It's just putting it all together.

But, yeah, I'm really happy that actually Blue Bay LPGA and Jian Lake. They just made the effort to bring it all back. It could have been very easy to leave the sportsmanship and leave the tournament away after five years, and they pursued. They need a big round of applause for that.