It looks like Lizette Salas is fit to play. We will finally see her appear in her first professional game since her hiatus from the sport in June last year. This 9-month-long gap was the result of her injured back, which has been causing her discomfort for some time now. Will her return at the Fir Hills Seri Pak Championship be the comeback she desires?

In a news conference at the championship, she shared a few updates about her injury and recovery with her fans. What did the 34-year-old pro say about her hiatus and long-awaited return to the sport?

“don’t wish that on anybody”: Lizette Salas acknowledges 9-month hiatus

Lizette Salas had struggled with back pain throughout the latter portion of her career; it was not a new problem for her. But the agony that struck last May was unmatched, and disc problems and muscular abnormalities were diagnosed. After the 2023 U.S. Women’s Open, the physical struggle reached a breaking point as the discomfort turned into a total shut-down of her body. “It was pretty scary.” Salas acknowledged as much in her news conference at the Fir Hills Seri Pak Championship. “I don’t wish that on anybody.”

Although frightening, the extensive diagnosis offered a road map for healing. Muscular problems, in addition to disc problems, necessitated a multifaceted course of treatment that included rest, rehabilitation, and a cautious return to exercise. She described the road to rehabilitation as having many “hiccups,” but her resolve did not waver. She further added, “It’s not only a physical pain but a mental pain.”

Excited to return to the Palos Verdes Estates

It was no accident that she decided to make her comeback at the Fir Hills Seri Pak Championship in Palos Verdes. For Salas, it’s a moment of complete reconnection, a trip back to a location that has shaped both her professional and personal development. “It was one of the biggest goals that I had to make this the start of my 2024 season,” she said. This is more than simply a competition; it’s a significant occasion, an endorsement of her tenacity, and a celebration of her return to the game.

Salas’s tale is one of perseverance, after overcoming excruciating back problems that caused her terrible sadness. “I was on crutches when my niece graduated from college,” she said, thinking back to her struggle. We hope she is all fine now.

It remains to be seen what kind of game will she be bringing to the championship this weekend, with the competition including the likes of Nelly Korda and Lilia Vu. But like her, we too are excited for her return to the greens!

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