It is a special week for Mariajo Uribe as she prepares to make her swan song from professional golf at the conclusion of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
After having her son Lucca back in 2021, the Colombian knew she wanted to retire and eventually decided that Paris would be the perfect place.
The 34-year-old had been playing all around the world in the qualification period in the hopes of representing her country one final time.
Earlier this year, Uribe received a sponsor exemption into the Women’s NSW Open on the Ladies European Tour (LET) and won the event to all but cement her third Olympic appearance.
Although her son isn’t in attendance in France, the LET winner has loads of family supporting her in her final competition.
“One of my idols is Lorena Ochoa, and she went out as No. 1 in the world, and I always thought that was so great, like just finishing on a high note,” she said.
“This year has been really special for me, and to finish with a good week here would make it even better retirement week.
“This is my third Olympics, but Paris feels different. The atmosphere is unbelievable. Watching the guys finish on Sunday was great. The crowds are amazing.
“I’m not a part of the Solheim Cup, but this is probably the closest I’m going to get to. The course is unbelievable. I’m really happy with the decision I made, and it’s been an amazing week so far.
“Everyone is here, but not my son – he stayed home. My husband is here, my mum, dad, my brother and his wife and a lot of friends from back home. A lot of Colombians live in Paris too, so a lot of Colombian support. They’re probably not golfers, but I’m really happy they came and cheered for me.”
Uribe began her medal challenge with an opening round of two-under-par at Le Golf National.
Back-to-back birdies on the first two holes was soon followed by another birdie on the fourth before Uribe made bogeys on the sixth and eighth.
The three-time Olympian rolled in another birdie on the 13th but dropped another shot on 17 before finishing with a birdie on the last hole to sit in a share of third place at the end of the first day.
“I started pretty hot, then a couple of bogeys, but I’m happy I stayed there,” she said. “18 is a really tough hole, and finishing with the birdie, I’m glad I was able to do that and stay in contention.
“I had a decent round, some not so great mistakes and bogeys I shouldn’t have made, but I’m right in there. I know I can shoot low.
“You have to hit it good off the tee here, and my driver is pretty good right now. So, the plan is to just stay in contention. Of course, a medal will be great, but just enjoy this week and see what happens.”
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