Team USA Solheim Cup assistant captain Natalie Gulbis says her pure love for playing professional golf is the reason behind her return to LPGA action this week at the inaugural JM Eagle LA Championship presented by Plastpro.
A resident of nearby Newport Beach in California, Gulbis tees it up at Wilshire Country Club for her first LPGA event in nine months.
Gulbis retired from playing on the LPGA tour full-time back in 2020 after 19 years on the circuit.
One of the more recognisable women’s players on tour, Gulbis played in three Solheim Cups and won the 2007 Evian Masters during her long stretch on the LPGA circuit.
The 40-year-old has also had success away from the course, but is now returning to competitive action in the new JM Eagle Championship – which has a boosted prize pot of $3 million.
“Playing near my home in Newport Beach, I am beyond excited to have the opportunity to play in the inaugural JM Eagle LA Championship presented by Plastpro at Wilshire Country Club,” said Gulbis.
“It’s extraordinary what JM Eagle and Plastpro are doing with this inaugural championship in elevating the tournament purse to $3 million and channeling a passion for empowering women athletes – that’s everything that I want for women’s golf.
“I’m honored to have the opportunity to tee-it-up against the best athletes in the world.”
And Gulbis says the reason for returning to the heat of battle with her fellow pros is her sheer love for the LPGA – with competitive golf producing emotions that are hard to replicate.
“I love golf, I love the LPGA,” said Gulbis. “It’s not secret that when I joined the tour in 2001 that I wouldn’t continue to play or request an invite if I didn’t absolutely love the game and love the tour.
“It’s one of those things that there’s just nothing I can compare to it in my life - and I’ve had a lot of incredible things that I’ve gotten to do away from the golf course and opportunities, but nothing gets me that anxious, excitement, frustration the way that playing professional golf does.”
-
Garmin Approach S44 Golf Watch ReviewHow does the latest installment in Garmin's golf smartwatch range perform both on and off the golf course?
-
LIV Golf Korea 2025 Picks, Odds And PredictionsAs the LIV Golf League arrives in Korea for the first time, check out the odds for the leading players and our picks to win this week
-
LPGA Black Desert Championship Prize Money Payout 2025Many of the biggest names in the world head to Utah as they compete for a share of one of the largest purses so far this season
-
Mao Saigo Claims Maiden Major Title At Chevron Championship After Thrilling Five-Way Sudden Death PlayoffThe Japanese star made a birdie on the first extra hole at The Club at Carlton Woods as her four challengers faltered
-
Watch The Shocking Moment Ariya Jutanugarn Whiffs Chip At 18th To Surrender Chevron Championship Solo LeadAriya Jutanugarn led by one heading to the 18th hole in the final round of the Major, but a nightmare moment left her facing a playoff
-
Chevron Championship Prize Money Payout 2025Nelly Korda won her second Major at the 2024 edition of the Chevron Championship
-
12 Big Names Who Missed The Cut At The Chevron ChampionshipThe first women's Major of 2025 is at its halfway stage and, heading into the weekend, a number of notable players failed to reach the two-over-par cutline
-
What Is The Cut At the Chevron Championship?The first of five women's Majors of the year, what do players need to do make the cut at the Chevron Championship?
-
Yani Tseng Won Five Majors Putting Right-Handed, But Now She's Flipped Sides - Here's Why...A dominant force in the women's game 15 years ago, Tseng has lost her way since and is now employing a "last resort" putting tactic in order to play well again
-
Nelly Korda Looking At Another Putter Switch After Shooting 77 in Chevron ChampionshipWorld No.1 Nelly Korda was almost in tears after her first-round 77 at the Chevron Championship, and was looking to instantly make another change of putter as a result
