Over 22 years ago, María Hernández played her first tournament as a professional. It was the Open de España, she was 17 years old and finished in 31st place. Six years later, in 2009, she became the individual champion of the NCAA. She was the second Spanish woman in history to achieve this after Azahara Muñoz. That same year she played the US Open, her first Major. In 2010, she won her first and only tournament on the Ladies European Tour, in Slovakia. She has competed for five years on the LPGA Tour and has played a total of 15 Majors. Now she is 39 years old, playing the Andalucía Costa del Sol Open de España and announces through Ten Golf that it is time to step aside.
Her record, and a few other things we leave out to avoid boredom, is exceptional, although no one doubts it would have been even better if a devastating Chinese bacteria hadn’t crossed her path in 2014, consuming her body. Since then, the golfer from Pamplona, a die-hard Barcelona fan and owner of Rossi, a wonderful Swiss shepherd, has embarked on a tireless struggle to regain her best form. She has given every last ounce of herself in the attempt. She hasn’t skimped on a single hour of work. She is known as the José María Olazábal of women’s golf. Balls, balls, and more balls. Endless sessions on the putting green and short game. Always the first to arrive at the practice field and the last to leave.
María Hernández has earned the right to decide, and her decision is that it is time to step aside in professional golf. She is not jumping ship; you will still see her in tournaments, but she will approach it differently and, above all, she is closing a chapter. She will play what she can, what she feels like, and with great calm, without leaving Europe. “I know the money is in Australia, South Africa, and elsewhere, but the trips are over. I don’t feel like it. I’ve never played golf for money. I’ve done it because I enjoy it and because I love competition. Fortunately, I’m at a point in my life where I don’t need the money, and that allows me to do what I want. I’m not going to stop playing, but the days of playing 20 or more tournaments a year are over. That chapter is closed,” she assures.
The Navarrese has made the decision with full conviction. In fact, this year she will lose her full rights on the Ladies European Tour and will not attend the School to recover them. She is content with the category she has plus the tournaments she can play from the historical earnings list. “I don’t even know how many championships there will be. I don’t care. Very calm. If it’s two, fine. If it’s ten, fine. Tranquility. Now I need to stop. The Santander Tour? I’ll see, on the go, if I feel like playing, I will, and if not, I won’t. I want tomorrow to come, hang up the clubs, rest, be at home, and have calm. I need it to come back and keep training,” she tells Ten Golf.
María is at peace and with a very clear conscience. “I’ve already had my sports career, and now it’s my turn to enjoy where I am, my home, the calm. Not even a victory would change my way of seeing things. I’m already where I am, enjoying my home and doing what I want,” she points out. María cannot reproach herself for anything. Simply, the tank is no longer full of energy as before. “There comes a time when you have to say that’s it, we’ve come this far. I think I’ve given it my all. I’ve had a long career with ups and downs, health issues, but I’ve enjoyed it. Everything has happened. Days when I’ve cursed everything and wondered what I’m doing playing, hitting balls, but I’ve enjoyed it,” she assures with emotion visible in her eyes.
However, be careful, it’s María Hernández, and she is not going to change her way of being or understanding golf and sport. “I’m going to keep working hard. I’m going to give it my all. Whatever I play, I want to play well, and I want to compete. I still have golf to play and enjoy.” In fact, she has perfectly identified what went wrong this year, and as soon as a few weeks of necessary reset pass, she will get to work. “The problem this year (in 2024 she was eighth in the order of merit) has been in the short game. One hundred percent. I feel like I can’t miss the green because I start doing some crazy things, high numbers, numbers I don’t make. All of that has put a lot of pressure on the long game, and that’s where it all came from. I’ve tried to fix it, but I haven’t found the way. I will keep looking for the solution,” she explains.
There is no plan B in sight. She can afford it. She has earned it. “I will only do something else if I really feel like it.” Of course, María, you have earned the freedom to do whatever you want. “It’s my turn,” she concludes the conversation. Bravo.
