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Ex-tennis prodigy Gabriela Ruffels to start her debut LPGA season at the Drive On Championship
In Bradenton, Florida, Gabriela Ruffels maintains an active player profile on tennis.com.au, highlighting her impressive achievements as a top-three player in her age category, a national champion for 12 and under, and a member of the national squad. Born to tennis professionals, Ruffels, whose idols were Kim Clijsters and Roger Federer, shocked everyone when she decided to quit tennis completely at the age of 14, despite being given a few weeks to reconsider by the national academy.
“People were expecting me to return,” said Ruffels, now one of the 15 LPGA rookies starting their season at the Drive On Championship in Bradenton, Florida.
On her initial day away from tennis, a bored Gabriela Ruffels decided to spend time at the driving range hitting golf balls, influenced by her older brother Ryan who had already transitioned from tennis to golf. Encouraged by her mother AnnaMaria, Ruffels took a few lessons to enhance her enjoyment of the game. Despite having only taken brief lessons growing up, she found herself signed up for a nine-hole tournament at her mother’s suggestion.
During her first encounter with golf, Ruffels was surprised by the social atmosphere on the first tee, not accustomed to the camaraderie. However, she quickly fell in love with the sport. Unlike the competitive nature of tennis, golf offered Ruffels a more relaxed and peaceful experience. Homeschooled at the academy, where she mostly practiced with the same girl daily, Ruffels appreciated the escape from the intense tennis environment.
In December 2014, she played her first 18 holes using her dad’s clubs, and by April, she had achieved a five handicap. Securing a scholarship to USC, her mother’s alma mater, Ruffels went on to win the 2019 U.S. Women’s Amateur and achieved two top-15 finishes in LPGA majors before turning professional in 2021.
AnnaMaria (formerly Fernandez), who earned the title of National Collegiate Player of the Year in 1981, achieved a career-high ranking of 19th in the world during her professional tennis journey. Her husband, Ray, a three-time semifinalist at the Australian Open, partnered with Billie Jean King in mixed doubles in 1978, making it to the final at both Wimbledon and the U.S. Open.
While they provide guidance to their daughter, they also value and respect Gabriela’s innate instincts. AnnaMaria points out that not everyone would have the courage to walk away from a sport after experiencing early success, citing Andre Agassi’s book on a similar theme.
Reflecting on their past tournaments, AnnaMaria shares, “We revisit and talk about some of the early tournaments we attended.” Gabriela often recalls moments like disliking the experience of being at a tournament as they drove in, which surprises her parents, as they were unaware of her feelings at the time.
Embarking on her golf journey relatively late brings a sense of freshness to 23-year-old Gabriela Ruffels, who expresses a preference for playing over practicing. Despite indications that she could have joined the LPGA earlier, a realization struck Ruffels on her way to a practice round for the 2022 LPGA Q-School – she had never signed up. Due to a paperwork error, she found herself back on the Epson Tour for the 2023 season, where she secured three victories and topped the money list. Ruffels handled the mistake gracefully, considering it a significant year of learning.
Expressing pride in her achievements on the Epson Tour, she views it as a crucial step in proving to herself that she can succeed. Winning on the LPGA, she believes, requires climbing the ladder, and the additional year provided valuable experience.
According to AnnaMaria, Ruffels’ mother, this extra year was essential due to her daughter’s delayed start in the sport. AnnaMaria emphasizes the significance of the developmental years in junior sports, noting that Ruffels missed out on some of those experiences since she started later than her peers.
Upon turning professional, Gabriela Ruffels initially sought to embody her perception of professionalism, seeking input from various sources. However, in the past year, she adopted a simpler approach, returning to her college swing coach, Craig Chapman. Recognizing her as a “feel player,” they dedicated considerable time to honing shots from 100 yards and in, preparing for the challenges at the next level.
Ruffels frequently seeks guidance from her brother Ryan, posing questions about specific shots and seeking advice on course management. While her mother served as her caddie on the Epson Tour, she will have the experienced LPGA caddie John Killeen by her side to start the season in Florida.
Grace Kim, an LPGA rookie and fellow Australian, reconnected with Ruffels on the Epson Tour and practiced together at Isleworth Golf and Country Club in Windermere, Florida, during breaks. Despite representing Australia, Ruffels was born in Orlando, Florida, and currently spends a significant amount of time with her parents in the California desert.
According to Kim, Ruffels is an all-around strong player with no apparent weaknesses. She commends Ruffels for hitting the ball straight and long and having a solid putting game, asserting that when Ruffels is in top form, she is unstoppable.
