When Azahara Munoz walked off the college fairways for the final time last June, she departed as one of the most decorated golfers in ASU history.
Her seemingly endless list of accomplishments as a Sun Devil included an individual national title, which she won in 2008 by seeking a 25-foot putt on the first hole of a playoff with UCLA's Tiffany Joh.
A four-time All-American, Munoz was also a two-time winner of the Edith Cummings Munson Award, an honor given to the All-American with the highest grade-point average.
After helping ASU capture its seventh national championship last summer, Munoz earned her LPGA Tour card in December by finishing fifth at LPGA Qualifying School.
The State Press recently caught up with Munoz, who is currently in her home country of Spain, to talk about being on the LPGA Tour, her memories of ASU and what she thinks of the current Sun Devil squad.
The State Press: You earned your Tour card back in December by finishing fifth at LPGA Qualifying School. What did it mean to you to earn that and realize your dream of becoming a professional golfer?
Azahara Munoz: It meant a lot. My dream has always been to play in the LPGA, and I achieved it. But it is just the beginning. Now I'm focusing on practicing and hopefully having a good season.
SP: Tell me about the qualifying tournament. Five rounds is a lot of golf. Were you nervous going in or confident you would earn your card?
AM: It is a lot of golf; it's five rounds where you have to play solid in all of them. I was a bit nervous, but nothing that I couldn't control. I was confident in my game, but you never know. All the players at the final stage are good, and you've got to have a good week to earn the card. I was lucky enough to do that.
SP: In the time since earning your card, what have you been up to?
AM: I have been resting. I played a lot of golf this year and haven't had too much time to spend with family and friends. I have just been doing that … it has been great. Now I'm back to practice to get ready for the season.
SP: The last time I spoke with you, you and your team were preparing for the NCAA Championships. Now that you have had time to let it sink in, what did winning a national championship mean to you?
AM: It's something that I will always have with me. Winning as an individual was great, but winning with the team was amazing. It's something that you share with your team forever, and our team was great. We are all great friends, had a great season and just got along great. I have no words to explain the feeling of winning with them.
SP: Earlier this season, you beat your former teammate, Anna Nordqvist, in a playoff at the Madrid Ladies Masters. What was it like going against a former Sun Devil in such a big tournament?
AM: It was great playing in my first tournament as a professional and being lucky enough to be in a playoff with a player like Anna and winning. I had a blast all week and played really well. Anna is such a good player, and playing with her is always an honor.
SP: What are some of your greatest memories from ASU that you will carry with you?
AM: The people I have met there. I have made some really good friends that will be with me forever. If I have to pick a memory I will say winning the NCAA [title] last spring.
SP: Do you still keep in contact with your coaches and teammates? How do you expect them to fare this season?
AM: I do. I talk to [Carlota Ciganda] and [Juliana Murcia] a lot, and with coaches as well. I will actually visit them in March, and every time I have a week or so off. I miss being part of the team a lot. I expect them to play great. They have a good team and hopefully the can again win the NCAA [title].
Reach the reporter at nkosmide@asu.edu
