Lopez Has Hole-In-One; Tied for Fifth After Round One

MEXICO CITY, Mexico – University of Arkansas senior Gabriela Lopez fired a first-round one-under par 71 and had her second hole-in-one in as many events and is tied for fifth place at the LPGA’s Lorena Ochoa Invitational in Mexico City, Mexico, Thursday.

Playing on a sponsor’s exemption in her hometown and on her home course of Club de Golf Mexico, Lopez trails leader LPGA professional Inbee Park by just three shots after the first of four rounds.

Lopez is playing in her third professional event of the year and finished tied for 29th overall at the Northwest Arkansas LPGA Championship.

The NCAA runner-up a year ago, Lopez opened play with a birdie on her first hole, a par four. She parred the next three before the ace on No. 5. Lopez also recorded a hole-in-one in Stage II of LPGA Qualifying School in Florida two weeks ago.

Lopez moved to No. 6 with a bogey, parred the next seven holes and finished the final five holes one-over for a 71. She trails first round leader Inbee Park who leads the field with 68. Minjee Lee, Suzann Pettersen and Angel Stranford are tied for second with 69, followed by Lopez, So Yeon Ruy, Azahara Munoz, Jaye Marie Green, Sydnee Michaels, Pernilla Lindberg and Mariajo Uribe who are all tied for fifth place.

Play continues through the weekend.

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