Team USA Solheim Cup assistant captain Natalie Gulbis says her pure love for playing professional golf is the reason behind her return to LPGA action this week at the inaugural JM Eagle LA Championship presented by Plastpro.
A resident of nearby Newport Beach in California, Gulbis tees it up at Wilshire Country Club for her first LPGA event in nine months.
Gulbis retired from playing on the LPGA tour full-time back in 2020 after 19 years on the circuit.
One of the more recognisable women’s players on tour, Gulbis played in three Solheim Cups and won the 2007 Evian Masters during her long stretch on the LPGA circuit.
The 40-year-old has also had success away from the course, but is now returning to competitive action in the new JM Eagle Championship – which has a boosted prize pot of $3 million.
“Playing near my home in Newport Beach, I am beyond excited to have the opportunity to play in the inaugural JM Eagle LA Championship presented by Plastpro at Wilshire Country Club,” said Gulbis.
“It’s extraordinary what JM Eagle and Plastpro are doing with this inaugural championship in elevating the tournament purse to $3 million and channeling a passion for empowering women athletes – that’s everything that I want for women’s golf.
“I’m honored to have the opportunity to tee-it-up against the best athletes in the world.”
And Gulbis says the reason for returning to the heat of battle with her fellow pros is her sheer love for the LPGA – with competitive golf producing emotions that are hard to replicate.
“I love golf, I love the LPGA,” said Gulbis. “It’s not secret that when I joined the tour in 2001 that I wouldn’t continue to play or request an invite if I didn’t absolutely love the game and love the tour.
“It’s one of those things that there’s just nothing I can compare to it in my life - and I’ve had a lot of incredible things that I’ve gotten to do away from the golf course and opportunities, but nothing gets me that anxious, excitement, frustration the way that playing professional golf does.”
-
Mizuno M.Craft X 6 Putter ReviewPutter expert Sam De’Ath gets his hands on the Mizuno M.Craft X 6 putter and analyses the performance on offer
-
Dan Bradbury Golf Tips: 5 Fundamentals To Work On In 2025Golf tips from a two-time DP World tour winner don't come around everyday, but Dan Bradbury's expert advice will help you to shoot better scores in 2025...
-
'I Said YES' - Lexi Thompson Announces EngagementJust over a month after ending her full-time career, Lexi Thompson has announced she got engaged on a New Year's trip to Whistler
-
'It Was The Stand-Out Tournament From Start To Finish' - Which Golf Event Was The Best This Year?There have been hundreds of tournaments played throughout 2024 and, in this piece, the Golf Monthly team nominate their most entertaining events from the season
-
'It Was The Out-And-Out Shock Of The Year' - Which Moment In Golf Stood Out Above All Else?2024 has been a year of huge shocks on and off the golf course and, in this piece, the Golf Monthly team have discussed which particular moment stood out to them
-
'The Hardest Category To Judge' - Who Recorded Golf's Round Of The Year?We've been treated to some excellent rounds in 2024 and, below, the Golf Monthly team have given their thoughts on which one they think was the best
-
The 12 Most Underrated Golf Seasons Of 2024Scottie Scheffler and Nelly Korda dominated men's and women's golf in 2024, but there were plenty of players who saw fine seasons go under the radar - we look at the pick of the bunch
-
10 Predictions Ahead Of The 2025 Golf SeasonWhat does the 2025 golfing calendar hold? As the new season gears up to its start, five Golf Monthly members lay out their predictions for the next 12 months
-
Who Showed 'A Will To Keep Fighting Through The Dark Times' In Golf's Comeback Of The Year?Golf has the capability to throw up some incredible comeback stories and, in 2024, we have seen a number of them throughout
-
'There Could Have Been Another 10 Nominees' - But Who Stood Out As Golf's Amateur Of The Year?There have been plenty of incredible amateur performances in 2024 and, in this piece, the Golf Monthly team debate who deserves the Amateur of the Year accolade
