Lopez earns SEC Freshman Golfer of the Week

FAYETTEVILLE – University of Arkansas freshman Gabriela Lopez becomes the first Razorback in program history to earn Southeastern Conference Freshman Women’s Golfer of the Week honors the league office announced today.

“Gaby had a great performance in Arizona,” Arkansas head coach Shauna Estes-Taylor said.  “She is putting in the work and is seeing the benefit of her efforts.  She is a very talented player and to have her come in and impact our program like she has says a lot about the person and competitor that she is.  Gaby loves to play the game, loves to learn, and looks forward to putting on her Razorback uniform and representing our team to the very best of her ability.  I’m excited to see her get this recognition and know that she will be driven even more by this individual victory.”

Lopez, a Mexico City, Mexico, native, picked up her first collegiate win at the Westbrook Invitational earning the award, which is in its inaugural year.

Lopez is the third Razorback freshman to win a tournament joining LPGA Player of the Year Stacy Lewis who won in 2004-05 and two-time All-American Emily Tubert who won in 2010-11.  The medalist honor is the second consecutive for the Razorbacks after Tubert opened the spring with a victory in Puerto Rico last week.

Lopez won the Westbrook Invitational by two strokes shooting 208 (72-70-66) for the two-day, three-round event at Westbrook Village Golf Club in Peoria, Ariz.  Her round of 66 ties the second-best round in Razorback history as well as the ties the second best round versus par at six-under and was a tournament record.  Lopez’s 208 ties for the fourth-best three-round total in Razorback history.  Both the 66 and 208 are collegiate bests for the freshman.

The Razorbacks are ranked seventh in the nation this week after three fall and two spring tournaments.  Arkansas has five top five team finishes and back-to-back runner-up finishes this spring.  The Razorbacks rank third in the SEC behind No. 4 Alabama and No. 6 Florida and Lopez ranks 11th in the SEC as an individual. 

The Razorbacks return to the links March 8-10, traveling to Hilton Head Island, S.C., for the Darius Rucker Intercollegiate as the spring season continues.

For more information regarding Razorback women’s golf or University of Arkansas athletics, please visit ArkansasRazorbacks.com.