DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – LPGA commissioner Mike Whan wandered into the media room Wednesday afternoon and gazed up at the giant leaderboard projected on the wall. He casually mentioned to a volunteer that Belen Mozo would be a nice addition to the tour.
The man can spot talent.
It’s hard to imagine a more marketable person in this Q-School field than Mozo (OK, other than Jessica Korda). The 22-year-old Spaniard is as personable as they come, attractive, bubbly and talented. After turning pro this summer, Mozo became the first female golfer to sign with CAA, the agency that represents Greg Norman and Jack Nicklaus. She stands tied for fourth at LPGA Q-School after an opening 4-under 68 Dec. 8 on the more difficult Legends Course. She trails Reilley Rankin, Libby Smith and Aree Song by one stroke.
LPGA Final Qualifying Tournament (Rd. 1)
The LPGA Final Qualifying Tournament got underway in Daytona Beach at LPGA International on Wednesday with Reilley Rankin, Libby Smith and Aree Song tied for the lead with 67s.
“I’ve come a long way since the surgery, and I’ve been sitting too long,” said Mozo, who had shoulder surgery in June 2009. The USC senior sat out until February, and finished the spring season with the Trojans. Last night, she sent in a 15-page paper for her International Relations class. She has one more lengthy paper to write before her academic career comes to a close next week.
Mozo, a first-team All-American at USC who won the British Amateur and British Girls’, came to Daytona straight from the first round of Ladies European Tour qualifying.
“It was hell,” said Mozo, speaking of the cold, rainy conditions in Spain. “I was like, ‘Oh, my God, this is nothing for me.’ ”
Mozo flies back to Spain on Sunday night for the final stage. Her parents will make the six-hour drive from their hometown to watch her compete.
Last week Mozo watched her best friend’s Rookie of the Year acceptance speech on Friday and felt warm tears running down her cheeks. Azahara Munoz, a childhood friend and fellow Spaniard who traded titles with Munoz throughout their amateur careers, won the title handily. It was an inner battle for Mozo to watch Munoz not only play on the next level but find incredible success while Mozo recovered from injury. She was awed.
“First year and she’s top 30 in the world,” Mozo said, referring to the LPGA money list. “Are you kidding me?”
Now it’s Mozo’s turn to try and steal the rookie thunder, should she get her card. She was born for the spotlight.
