The name Mariajo Uribe on the entry list for the Women’s NSW Open might have surprised a few, yet there is a simple reason the Colombian is on the Central Coast of New South Wales at Magenta Shores.

An LPGA Tour regular since 2010, 27 time starter in the majors and two-time Olympian, Uribe’s latest Australian visit is with a simple goal in mind as she moves towards the end of her career in late 2024.

“I mean this is my last year, I am retiring after the Paris Olympics. I just need to make points,” Uribe said Friday after opening with a five-under 67 to sit in second.

“This week I was not going to get in the LPGA, so I might as well come here and play, make sure I get a few tournaments in. I love coming to Australia, so it’s nice to come, play some good golf.

“It doesn’t matter, the Tours are good no matter if you play LPGA, LET, Epson, you just have to go out and have a good round.”

Starting her second round well on Saturday morning, Uribe remains the top ranked Colombian player in women’s golf … but only just, with Valery Plata closing the gap to four places on the Rolex Rankings. However, the more important ranking is that Uribe finds herself 170 places out of the 60^th, and final qualifying spot, on the women’s Olympic list.

Uribe’s wish for a career finale in Paris partially driven by the desire to give son Lucca a once in a lifetime experience before she puts her clubs away.

“I mean three Olympics will be the perfect way to finish it off. Now with my kid watching me play, I mean he was six months old in Tokyo, so doesn’t really remember,” Uribe said of her playing career highlighted by one win, the HSBC Brazil Cup an unofficial LPGA event.

“Hopefully I get to take him to Paris, and it will be a nice way to end my career.”

A win in Australia also surely a nice addition to the farewell Tour for the only player from Latin America to win the U.S. Women’s Amateur.

The second and third rounds will be shown LIVE on Fox Sports, KAYO and 7plus from 12:30pm AEDT.