What Gaby Lopez needs to qualify for the CME Group Tour Championship

A lot is on the line this week at the Annika driven by Gainbridge. This weekend at the Pelican Golf Club in Belleair, Florida, many players on tour are right at the 60th spot or slightly below in the Race to CME Globe Point Standings.

One of those players is Mexican-born, Gaby Lopez. Lopez currently rests in the 61st position, just one back of a spot to qualify for the CME Championship in two weeks. She was in the 60th spot just a few weeks ago.

Gaby Lopez has two top 25s in her last three tournaments

This past week at the Lotte Championship, the 25-year-old made 15 birdies on the weekend. She also shot a 69 during the final round. She was also bogey-free on Sunday, leading to a tie for 20th. However, it still has not been enough for her to secure her spot in the CME Championship.

She has come on strong since August. Her finish last weekend was her sixth top-25 since the FM Championship. It may be too little, too late, though, as her summer was full of ups and downs. She had only one top-25 from May to August and missed two cuts during that time span. She also has only two top-10s on the entire year.

What Lopez needs to do to secure her place is simple in numbers but may be difficult in a crowded field. In order to keep her season going, she will need to have at least a tie for 40th place at Annika over the coming weekend.

That finish would allow her to compete next weekend during the CME Group Tour Championship which has a purse of $11 million. If Lopez does not qualify it will be the first time in six years that she would not be playing for an opportunity at the title.

Since her rookie season in 2016, Gaby Lopez has been one of the most consistent players on tour. She has had three wins and 26 top 10s throughout her career. It would be an odd site to not see her at the CME Championship next week. She is set to tee off this Thursday at the Pelican Golf Club.