Julia Lopez Ramirez is the 2023 European Ladies’ Amateur Champion. The Spaniard produced a spectacular finish on Saturday, making three birdies on the final three holes to win the biggest title of her career.
The number-one ranked amateur player in the world, Ingrid Lindblad, was the home crowd’s favorite, entering Round 4 with a one-shot advantage at Tegelberga Golfklubb. But she made a bogey on the first, puting several pursuiers back in the mix. The 2021 champion then struggled to convert birdie opportunities, settling for an even-par 71, and a total of -5 that gave her the bronze medal.
Several other contenders struggled to keep the pace on the opening holes of the back-nine. The door was open for a duel between two Spanish players, Julia Lopez and Carla Bernat. The latter made a big step forward thanks to a birdie on the par-3 14th. But she too went through tougher times down the stretch, with a bogey on the 16th due to a tee shot in the hazard, and yet another dropped shot on the 17th. She clinched second place nonetheless, thanks to an ultimate birdie on the last par-5 to edge Lindblad by one shot.
Even with her compatriot leaving the door open, Julia Lopez had to muscle her way through, having conceeded a bogey on the 15th. But a brilliant approach on the 16th gave her a birdie opportunity she didn't let by.
A second birdie on the par-3 17th gave her a one-shot advantage walking down the last fairway, and a chance to win it all with a par. But she managed to make the margin even bigger, with a closing birdie cheered on by the entire Spanish squad.
Julia Lopez Ramirez’ win concludes an impressive season for the Spanish amateur teams, who won three out of four European Team Championships, and got two more gold medals in the flagship European individual events.
The summer is not over yet for the Mississippi State student. Her victory earns her the opportunity to play in the AIG Women’s Open in two weeks's time.
