Just days ahead of the LPGA Drive On Championship presented by Volvik at Golden Ocala, LPGA Tour member and Puerto Rico native Maria Torres was searching for her first Tour victory near her alma mater with the University of Florida just over 30 miles north of this week’s tournament host venue.

    “Being here in Ocala got me thinking of my entire four years. Monday night before going to bed, I remembered us practicing or even going to classes. It was nice, that memory lane. I'm excited to go back,” said Torres, who graduated in 2017. “After this tournament, I'm going to Gainesville, so I'm kind of excited. I have been thinking of when we finish on Sunday and seeing everybody at the course, my coaches, and even the tutoring center where I spent a lot of time between classes and practicing.”

    With an impressive collegiate résumé, including being named the first female SEC Golfer of the Year (2016) in UF history since 1990, Torres is feeling ready with the support she has from her college friends and even the slight advantage of having practiced before at Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club.

    “We used to play this course a couple of times a year to practice and get our rounds, qualifying rounds,” said Torres. “Right now my game I think is rolling, like slowly getting into it and getting the timing down of playing tournaments again. I think slowly, but like steady I'm trying to work on the routine.    

    Torres is joined this week by veteran UF alumnus Sandra Gal, a long-time LPGA Tour member.  

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