Mariajo Uribe became the first player from Colombia to win on the Ladies European Tour (LET) at the weekend.
The two-time Olympian produced rounds of 67-65-70 and secured a one-shot victory at the Women’s NSW Open.
It was thanks to a birdie on the last hole at Magenta Shores Golf & Country Club that she beat England’s Bronte Law.
Uribe held the lead at the 36-hole mark and was pleased she played well in the final round and was able to get over the line.
“The nerves were fine, I felt pretty calm,” she said. “Maybe I was getting a little bit ahead of myself this morning when I woke up. I had too much time! Then I grounded myself, had a good practice session going out.
“In my head at the start of the week, my number was 15-under-par with three rounds of five-under. That’s what I went out to do. I wasn’t thinking about what the other girls were doing.
“Bronte [Law] is a close friend, I’m really happy she is playing well too. At the end of the day, if I was going to play good, and lose I am okay with that. I stayed patient and I’m proud of myself.”
The Colombian star last recorded a victory on Tour at the 2011 HSBC Brazil Cup, which was an unofficial LPGA event.
But she has only had one goal that she’s aiming towards and that is representing her country once again at an Olympic Games.
With Paris fast approaching, Uribe has been doing everything she can to earn her spot at the Games as she wants to retire afterwards.
Heading into the Women’s NSW Open, the 34-year-old sat 474th in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings but her victory should move her into one of the 60 coveted spots.
She explained: “I have felt internal pressure for sure because it takes courage to come here too. I’m not a member, so to write the emails and try and get invites. You might come here, and you might not make the cut.
“Even last year, I played on the LET and LET Access Series to get some opportunities to play. We will see but I’m pretty sure this will clutch it out and I will be in Paris for now. My husband is happy because I don’t have to do a crazy schedule anymore. It’s nice to get a win after so many years, it’s a nice icing on the cake.”
Uribe is staying in Australia and will tee it up at this week’s Australian Women’s Classic which is being held at Bonville Golf Resort.
But she can’t wait to go back home and see her son and her family – even if her son will be more interested in videos of koalas than the trophy!
She added: “He was so excited before teeing off. He was telling me he hopes I win and asking where the koalas are.
“I don’t think he will like the trophy as much as the videos with the koalas I’m going to take, but it’s worth being away and I’m so thankful for my husband and all the community around us that makes it possible for me to be here.”
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