Mariajo Uribe Ends Professional Career With Eagle On Final Hole At Olympics
The Colombian made an eagle on the par-5 18th at Le Golf National as she brought an end to her professional career in style
Mariajo Uribe had been threatening something special at the Olympics all week as she made her final professional appearance - and she delivered it on the very last hole.
The Colombian had been in the running for a medal heading into the final round. That dream faded not long into Saturday’s play, when she made three bogeys and a double bogey in her first seven holes.
However, if it seemed as though Uribe’s professional career was to end in something of a whimper after what had been a generally excellent tournament for one of the outsiders heading into the event, she had other ideas when, on the par 5 18th at Le Golf National, she made an eagle to sign off her competitive career in style.
Uribe didn’t put a foot wrong after teeing it up on the 18th, finding the middle of the fairway with her opening shot before placing her second over the water and within six feet of the hole. With one putt standing between Uribe and a memory she would take with her long into her retirement, she made no mistake, completing her round of 73 with her first eagle of the tournament.
That left Uribe on four-under for the tournament after four days that can give her huge satisfaction as she bids farewell to a professional career that began in 2009.
Since then, she has claimed two wins, first with the unofficial LPGA Tour event the HSBC Brazil Cup in 2011 and secondly with the Women’s NSW Open on the WPGA Tour Australasia earlier this year.
During the latter event she confirmed her plans to retire after the Olympics, saying: "This is my last year. I am retiring after the Paris Olympics. I just need to make points. This week I was not going to get in the LPGA, so I might as well come here and play, make sure I get a few tournaments in. I love coming to Australia, so it’s nice to come, play some good golf.”
Get the top Black Friday deals right in your inbox: Sign up now!
The hottest deals and product recommendations during deals season straight to your inbox plus all the best game-changing tips, in-depth features and the latest news and insights around the game.
She certainly achieved her ambition that week and, when she reflects on her time at the Olympics she will surely see her effort as a job well done, particularly given her stunning finale on the 72nd hole.
Mike has over 25 years of experience in journalism, including writing on a range of sports throughout that time, such as golf, football and cricket. Now a freelance staff writer for Golf Monthly, he is dedicated to covering the game's most newsworthy stories.
He has written hundreds of articles on the game, from features offering insights into how members of the public can play some of the world's most revered courses, to breaking news stories affecting everything from the PGA Tour and LIV Golf to developmental Tours and the amateur game.
Mike grew up in East Yorkshire and began his career in journalism in 1997. He then moved to London in 2003 as his career flourished, and nowadays resides in New Brunswick, Canada, where he and his wife raise their young family less than a mile from his local course.
Kevin Cook’s acclaimed 2007 biography, Tommy’s Honour, about golf’s founding father and son, remains one of his all-time favourite sports books.
-
DP World Tour Rookie Hit With Slow Play Penalty On First Pro Start
Jacob Skov Olesen was handed a one-shot penalty for slow play at the Australian PGA Championship in what was his very first start as a professional
By Paul Higham Published
-
Nelly Korda Claims LPGA Awards Double After Seven-Win Season
Nelly Korda was handed the two top prizes at the LPGA Awards after a seven-win season including her second Major
By Paul Higham Published
-
Nelly Korda Claims LPGA Awards Double After Seven-Win Season
Nelly Korda was handed the two top prizes at the LPGA Awards after a seven-win season including her second Major
By Paul Higham Published
-
LPGA Tour Announces 2025 Schedule
The 2025 LPGA Tour season will have two new events including a visit to Mexico, while the biennial International Crown returns
By Mike Hall Published
-
Anyone From Nelly Korda To 60th-Place Carlota Ciganda Can Win The Biggest Check In Women's Golf History This Week - Here's Why
The LPGA Tour season culminates in the CME Globe Tour Championship at Tiburon Golf Club this week - and an $11 million total prize purse is on the line
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Lexi Thompson Says She ‘May Tee It Up A Few Times Next Year’ As She Prepares To Retire From Full-Time Professional Golf
The American has revealed she might play a limited schedule next year as she prepares for life beyond a full-time professional schedule
By Mike Hall Published
-
'I Just Think It Really Drags The Game Down' - LPGA Tour Stars Weigh In On Slow Play Debate
Nelly Korda is one of the players who has given her thoughts on the issue of slow play on the LPGA Tour after Charley Hull suggested a brutal idea to kill the issue
By Mike Hall Published
-
CME Group Tour Championship Prize Money Payout 2024
Nelly Korda heads the field as players compete for one of the largest purses in the history of the women’s game
By Mike Hall Published
-
Women’s NCAA Division I Champion Adela Cernousek Turns Pro
Texas A&M's Adela Cernousek has announced she is turning professional, with a place in the final stage of LPGA Tour Q-Series on the horizon
By Mike Hall Published
-
‘I Feel Sorry For The Fans' - Charley Hull Proposes Brutal Idea To 'Kill' Slow Play
After pointing out that her third round at The Annika took close to six hours, the World No.11 suggested an idea which could greatly reduce slow play on tour
By Jonny Leighfield Published