5’4”...Started playing golf at the age of 6...Credits her parents as the individuals most influencing her career...Married Juan Aristizabal on Feb. 5, 2005…Has two sisters…Enjoys reading historical novels...Qualified for the Tour on her first attempt…Hosts an event in Miami, Fla., raising money for children in Colombia.
Career
- In 2008, best finish was a tie for 18th at the McDonald's LPGA Championship Presented by Coca-Cola; carded a season-low 67 in the first round of the LPGA State Farm Classic, where she tied for 19th.
- In 2007, best finish was a tie for 21st at the Field Open in Hawaii; only competed in 11 events due to a hip injury.
- In 2006, best finish was a tie for sixth at the Franklin American Mortgage Championship benefiting the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, where she also recorded a career-low 63 in the final round.
- In 2005, as the 60th seed at the HSBC Women’s World Match Play Championship, pulled off six consecutive upsets to become a Rolex First-Time Winner; the $500,000 first-place paycheck, the then-largest ever in an LPGA event, moved her across the $1 million mark in career earnings; carded her second LPGA career hole-in-one during the third round of the Office Depot Championship at Trump National Golf Club Los Angeles.
- In 2004, best finish was a tie for 17th at the State Farm Classic; recorded her first LPGA career hole-in-one during the first round of the Longs Drugs Challenge; returned to the LPGA Final Qualifying Tournament, where she tied for 37th to earn nonexempt status for the 2005 LPGA season.
- In 2003, best finish was a tie for second at the Jamie Farr Kroger Classic Presented by ALLTEL.
- In 2002, best finish was a tie for 11th at the Bank of Montreal Canadian Women’s Open.
- In 2001, recorded her season-best finish of third at the Kathy Ireland Championship Honoring Harvey Penick.
- In 2000, best finish was a tie for seventh at the LPGA Takefuji Classic; returned to the LPGA Final Qualifying Tournament and tied for fourth to earn exempt status for the 2001 LPGA season.
- In 1999, came on strong late in the season, posting two top-five finishes: a tie for fourth at the State Farm Rail Classic and a tie for fifth at the First Union Betsy King Classic.
- In 1998, turned professional in August; tied for 58th at the LPGA Final Qualifying Tournament to earn non-exempt status for the 1999 LPGA season.
Amateur
Baena had an impressive amateur career. In 1996, she was the runner-up at the U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship, won the Pac-10 Championship and the West Regional Championship. As a member of the University of Arizona’s golf team, she won 10 tournaments, was the 1996 NCAA individual champion and was named the University of Arizona’s Player of the Year in 1996-97. Baena was a First-Team All-American from 1996-98.
Education: University of Arizona
