Who Is Gabriela Ruffels? All You Need to Know About the 24-Year-Old LPGA Tour Rookie

After the conclusion of the first round of the Mizuho Americas Open, two rookies are leading the field at Liberty National Golf Club. The first place has been taken by South Korean pro So Mi Lee, followed by Australian-American golfer Gabriela Ruffels. The 24-year-old shot four birdies in her bogey-free opening round.

Just two strokes behind the lead, Ruffels carded a score of 4 under 68. Her journey to play on the LPGA Tour has been quite interesting. Since Ruffels first chose the tennis court over the golf course when it came to her professional career.

How did Gabriela Ruffel start playing golf?

Gabriela Ruffels was born on April 18, 2000, and she hails from Orlando, Florida. The 24-year-old was born into a family of two tennis superstars. Her mother is a national champion and University of South California graduate, Anna-Maria Fernandez. While her father is Australia’s phenom with 16 double titles, Ray Ruffels.

Just like her parents, the 24-year-old pro was intrigued by tennis and started playing the sport at a young age. Ruffels won a national tournament in Australia and, with 21 International Tennis Federation doubles event wins, was a top-ranked tennis player. However, at the age of 14, things changed. In December 2014, Gabi played her first round of golf with her father’s clubs. Her family’s friend took a video when the former tennis player shot two birdies and shocked everyone, as it was her first ever golf round.

After her spectacular introduction to golf, there was no turning back for Ruffels. The LPGA pro chose to trade her racket for golf clubs and devote all her attention to becoming a golfer. For three years, she played in small leagues in Australia. After that, she moved to the States and got admitted to the University of South California, following her mother’s path, but just in golf. She started as a freshman with the Trojans at USC and helped them win three events.

Gabi’s talent was unparalleled. She went on to win the 2019 U.S. Women’s Amateur and became the first Australian to do so. After two years of scrapping at the junior events, Gabi then made her way onto the Epson Tour to qualify for the LPGA Tour membership.

How did Gabriela Ruffels get the LPGA Tour card?

In 2023, Gabriela Ruffels had already played the LPGA Tour events but as a nonmember. To become a member of the women’s circuit, she needed to be in the top 15 on the money list of the Epson Tour. And Gabi did just that. In the past year, the 24-year-old won three events on the Epson Tour: the Carlisle Arizona Women’s Golf Classic, the Garden City Charity Classic at Buffalo Dunes, and the Four Winds Invitational.

After three victories, Ruffels was named the 2023 Player of the Year and topped the money list. She was the first LPGA Tour-bound member of the Epson Tour and fulfilled her goal of becoming an LPGA Tour. Now with the veterans on the women’s circuit, Ruffels is aiming for her maiden victory at the LPGA Tour.

The 24-year-old revealed she has been feeling comfortable playing on the LPGA Tour but does feel like a rookie when playing at new courses like Liberty National. So far, Ruffels has surpassed the 18 holes and emerged on top. The question is, will she continue her rise at the Mizuho Americas Open?