(Ep 173) Fernanda Lira

In this episode I was joined by Mexican pro Fernanda Lira who has joined from back in Mexico City ahead of a sponsors invite into this week's Riviera Maya Open at Mayakoba, the first Mexican event on LPGA Tour in over 8 years. We talk about how prestigious the Mexican events are for the likes of Fernanda, Gaby Lopez, Maria Fassi & Isabella Fierro and the lasting impact of LPGA legend and former World Number 1 player Lorena Ochoa has had on the development for future Mexican players. 

Fernanda is from Mexico City and started playing the game at about 6 years old due to the old Mario Golf game along with her brother and went to University of Central Arkansas winning events at college level at UoCA and was Freshman of the Year in her time there where she would also meet her now husband Ryan Shuttleworth who caddies on the LET with Alexandra Swayne currently. Fun fact Fernanda adopted a street dog called Poncho.

Fernanda turned Pro in 2019 and would win in 2020 on Women's All Pro Tour at Crown Colony Challenge and would also win on WAPT in 2021 at Mountain Ranch Championship. Fernanda's biggest triumph would be winning 2021 Firekeepers Casino Hotel Championship in Michigan on Epson Tour defeating Isi Gabsa, Sophia Schubert, Danielle Iacobelli & a certain 2x Major Champion and former best player in the world Lilia Vu by a whopping 6 shots. At the end of 2023 Fer would finish T5th at LET Final Q School to gain status for 2024 where she had her Rookie season on Ladies European Tour with best finishes of T22nd at KPMG Women's Irish Open, T32nd at Lacoste Ladies Open de France and T33rd at Amundi German Masters. 

Fernanda not only plays this week in Mexico on a sponsors invite but she also got a sponsors invitation to play the next LET event at Tenerife Open in 2 weeks time at Abama Golf. 

Download & Like/Subscribe via Podbean, Apple Podcasts & Spotify. Thank you Fernanda all the best for 2025.