GETTING TO KNOW… BRIANNA NAVARROSA

USA’s Brianna Navarrosa has made an excellent start to life on the Ladies European Tour (LET) registering two top-10s and hoisting silverware as part of Team Kouskova at the Aramco Korea Championship.

Despite missing out on Category 12 by one shot at LET Q-School in December, the 22-year-old has capitalised on early playing opportunities in 2025 to move into the Top 70 reshuffle.

On top of that, a T2 finish at the Dutch Ladies Open helped Navarrosa secure a well-deserved Player of the Month nomination for May.

Ahead of the Tenerife Women’s Open, we caught up with the young American to hear all about her golfing journey…

How did you start playing golf?

“I started playing golf at the age of six. The way that I got into it was after school, my dad and grandpa would take me to the range. I started to really enjoy it. I remember putting down my colouring books and deciding to whack a few balls instead. All of a sudden I got my first set and before I knew it I was playing in my first tournament. The rest is history!”

When did you want to be a professional golfer?

“I would say I was quite young. Maybe 12-years-old. I think it was always my dream and my passion. But I think there was a point in time when I wasn’t really sure. It was when I got to college [at the University of Southern California, USC] that I knew I really wanted to pursue this.”

What was your PING Junior Solheim Cup experience like?

“It was insane. Crazy. I did play in the Amundi Evian Juniors Cup as well. That was also great. But the atmosphere at the PING Junior Solheim Cup was unmatchable. I think it was one of my highlights both personally and while representing a team. I made the winning putt to clinch the cup for the US on European soil! Even though I’m now playing on the LET, that was probably the most amazing feeling I’ve ever felt. The intensity of the matches and camaraderie is not something that you experience every day, so that event was unforgettable. I still talk about it now with all the girls, both from the US and European teams. I played against Mimi Rhodes. It was a really tight match. And now look at us, both on the LET!”

Why did you choose USC and how was your experience there?

“I chose that school because it was the first school that really came to me and showed interest. I think the second I stepped on campus I knew. It was something about the environment and it was only two hours away from my home town, San Diego. The relationship I grew with my coaches was so natural. It was great to have that for four years. I enjoyed it so much. One of the highlights was being in the finals of the National Championships. Even though we lost, the fight we put up as a team was insane. I’m still friends with a lot of the girls. Especially Amelia Garvey, she’s like a big sister to me and is now on the LET too. That’s huge for me. I’ll always cherish USC.”

Heroic stuff from Brianna Navarrosa closing out the nation’s No. 1 player to secure @USCWomensGolf’s spot in the national championship match!

pic.twitter.com/DTazb2Zb2l
— USC Trojans (@USC_Athletics) May 24, 2023

Why did you come to LET Q-School?

“I came to Q-School because firstly it’s always been a dream of mine to travel. I’ve been in California my whole life and I thought to myself what better way to travel the world and do something I love. Doing this through the LET is unbeatable. The end goal is the LPGA, but at the current time I’m really enjoying it here and I love travelling. Who would be able to say at 22, they’ve already seen so many countries in just half a year. Having that opportunity is a blessing. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else right now.”

How are you finding life on the LET so far?

“I’m loving it. It’s been amazing. Yes, it’s a lot of travelling, but personally I really like it. I like the constant, ‘go, go, go!’. I’ve found a really good group of girls to travel with while still being able to chase my dream and focus on getting that trophy at some point. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for me here. I’m really grateful to all the friendships I’ve made so far. I was nervous coming into it, especially being American, but I’m having the time of my life doing the thing that makes me the most happy! I love it.”