Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, April 29, 2026.– Gaby López looks confident and composed. She expressed her excitement ahead of the Riviera Maya Open at Mayakoba, where she will tee off this Thursday in the opening round alongside world No. 1 Nelly Korda and Japan’s Akie Iwai.
López arrives with the best ranking of her career (No. 27), following a strong performance at the Chevron Championship (T12), something that undoubtedly boosts her confidence. Combined with better preparation than last year, it leaves her feeling motivated.
“Having a high ranking definitely validates the things you’re doing well to get there, but it’s just external validation. I try not to focus too much on that. I focus more on what’s helping me improve a little every day—on the process, on the small things that allow bigger things to grow. But it definitely gives me confidence,” said the three-time LPGA winner.
Being in the top 30 reinforces her belief that she can compete at the highest level, but she avoids letting it define her as a golfer. “I try not to identify myself with a number, because that number can change easily, for better or worse. I prefer to identify myself as a competitor—and I’m becoming a better competitor every day. That’s where I connect more with my inner self,” she reflected.
Regarding being paired with Korda, López sees it as a valuable opportunity. “It will be a great learning experience. It reminds me that in my first LPGA win in 2018 [Blue Bay], I played with the No. 1 and No. 2 players in the world. If there’s someone you want to beat, it’s the world No. 1—and the better she is, the more she pushes me to improve.”
This year, López aims to show a more aggressive and confident style of play, supported by better preparation at El Camaleón compared to 2025. “Last year I didn’t come for advance preparation—I was busy on tour with practice and other commitments, and I lacked rounds here at Mayakoba. El Camaleón is a challenging course—you have to know how to play it, and the more you play it, the more comfortable you feel,” she explained.
López believes her results and performance are gradually speaking for themselves. Her ambition is stronger than ever, as she radiates confidence and invites fans to dream of a strong showing this week.
