The LPGA Tour is at the center of the sporting universe this week.
The U.S. Women’s Open is underway at Riviera Country Club, and it is spectacular to see one of the best golf courses in the world play host to a women’s event in general, but obviously one with this level of prestige.
It goes without saying that everything is magnified during the week of major championships. Focus is more dialed in. Legacies are on the line. All of this is par for the course, as grimacing as that cliche really is.
Laser-level focus doesn’t mean that you have to forget who you are, though. This was clearly the case for Gaby Lopez after an opening round 68 that put her 3-under and well in contention. Gaby, who was born in Mexico City, made note of all of the Mexicans that she saw throughout her experience at Riviera to date and acknowledged how she was playing for them.
Q. Can you tell me the story again. I know at every course you meet with the team and chat with them and thank them for everything they do to take care of the course. How did that come about, and why do you do that?
GABY LOPEZ: Yeah, this week, I’m telling you, everyone is Mexican in the kitchen. Everyone is Mexican in the staff and the groundskeepers. I don’t know, I really like to stay close to them. I love to say thank you and hello by their name, and I think they need that respect and they need that showcase as well, because they wake up at 3:00, 4:00 a.m. every single day for us, and we don’t see it. We just show up and play.
There’s people behind making the work for us, and I think me just taking a little bit of time and just staying close to them, I mean, they’re Mexican, I’m Mexican, and I’m very proud to represent them.
It is noble of Gaby to care for those at the courses where she plays, but this particular week clearly hit home for her in a different way.
May we all extend that type of kindness to everyone around us as well.