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OCALA, FLORIDA | She had the best round on the worst day. There is a metaphor in there for Switzerland’s Albane Valenzuela, the effervescent second-year rookie (2020 LPGA Tour rookies get a do-over due to COVID-19) who is in the early running for “Nicest Person in Golf” for the 2020s and beyond.
On Saturday at the LPGA Drive On Championship, a beautiful Florida spring turned into a dreary Scottish winter with steady rain and temperatures that peaked at 12 degrees C. In that environment, the smiling 23-year-old fired a 6-under 66 to play her way into the final group for the first time in her short professional career.
And while it’s easy to be happy when you equal your career-best round, Valenzuela’s attitude never changes. Every day is sunny, even when it is not.
"I spent a lot of time in bed for the past five months. Now, I'm just really appreciative to be out on the course."
Albane Valenzuela
Take, for example, the story of her 2020 season, one that appeared to be cut inexplicably short. At the time people assumed she was being cautious of the pandemic and choosing to stay at her new home in the Bahamas. But that wasn’t it at all.
“Definitely 2020 was pretty challenging,” Valenzuela said at Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club. “I had a very bad nerve injury in my neck. I couldn't feel pretty much from my neck down to my fingers. I was just constantly playing in pain. Then I had a stomach problem that led to my appendix being flared and I had to get it removed. Then I got COVID.
“So, I spent a lot of time in bed for the past five months. Now, I'm just really appreciative to be out on the course. I think I just don't take (anything) for granted because I know how hard it can get. Just happy to be playing again.”
Any one of the maladies she listed could knock most players out for a year or more. To experience all three in the course of seven months and come back with such a charitable disposition is extraordinary.
“The nerve situation started late August with a bad shoulder and just pain from the neck down,” she said. A series of MRIs followed. The ultimate diagnosis was a brachial plexus injury and nerve damage. “After the KPMG (Women’s PGA Championship) I was like, ‘I can't play anymore.’ That's why I stopped the season there. I could barely finish my rounds. It got to a point where I was just not comfortable on the golf course. I was just playing through pain and I think it was mentally tough, not only physically.
“So, I took a lot of time off. Then the appendix followed and then COVID. It's been a challenging couple of months.”
Then, with a cheery wave and the smile that seems permanently affixed, she said, “Thank you for asking about me. I appreciate the support.”
Steve Eubanks