RIVIERA MAYA OPEN

April 29, 2026

Gaby Lopez

El Camaleón Golf Course

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: All right, welcome to the media center at the 2026 Riviera Maya Open at Mayakoba. I'm joined by Gaby Lopez. Gaby, first off ask you a couple questions and then open up here in the media center.

Can you just talk about this event. You've done a lot to have this event be here, and can you talk about how special it is to be back again this year?

GABY LOPEZ: Yeah, being able to be back in Mexico competing on the LPGA, it's a dream come true. I love the stage. I love the community. I love that Nelly is coming and she's here to compete with us.

Mexico is a great country and we have so much to offer. Not only as a culture, but as human beings, and I'm really, really happy and excited to see all the little kids coming along on the weekend.

One day it was me behind the ropes, and hopefully in a couple years we see more of them on the LPGA Tour.

Q. Nearly ten Mexican players in the field this week. What does it mean to hear that? I know two qualified through the Monday qualifier; were in a playoff; really grinded to be here. What does it mean to see that?

GABY LOPEZ: Yeah, seeing nine Mexican girls in the field, it's spectacular. I'm so happy that there is a lot of talent on the women's side, and it just keeps growing. I remember when I started on the LPGA. It was just couple Latin Americans and now you see (Spanish-indiscernible) here joining this week and you have Puerto Ricans and you have Maria Torres and you have Daniela Darquea, Maria, Isabella, all of us. Our community has just been growing, and I'm very excited for all of us to share the Mexican energy, the passion that you know what we're known for, so much energy and love.

And, you know, the World Cup is coming up so we're all excited about sports. Having another prestigious event here Mayakoba is very special.

Q. There has been a theme of players talking about role models as they've been coming in and Lorena keeps coming up. Can you speak to Lorena and what she has meant throughout your career and having someone like that to look up to?

GABY LOPEZ: Yeah, for sure. Lorena showed us what seemed to impossible possible for a little girl from Mexico.

Yeah, I grew up thinking I want to be just like her. I grew up thinking I want to be an LPGA winner.

I'm hoping little kids and the little girls behind us that didn't get to see her can get a little inspiration from us playing here on Tour in Mexico.

But she's been an amazing role model, mentor, and friend. She has always been really open and approachable. The guys and everyone I know Tour keeps forgetting -- not forgetting, but I guess reminding how good she was and how she carried herself off the golf course. So much humility, so much kindness, so much caring for others. She always took accountable everyone around her.

So it's a great place and a great stage to see yourself try to copy what she did, you know, and just follow her legacy.

Q. And lastly, is there any extra folks out here to celebrate you and follow along with you this week?

GABY LOPEZ: Yeah, for sure, I have plenty of family and friends. Last year was a little bit overwhelming, not gonna lie. Week in, week out we're not used to that. Last week at Houston it was so many Mexicans and Latin Americans out there it kind of seemed like I was playing in Mexico.

Yeah, very, very excited and happy to have the support and doesn't matter if I play good or bad. Playing in front of them it's going to be a huge honor always.