New LPGA rookie Kiara Romero sits down with the Real-Life Finance® Podcast

On the latest episode of the Real-Life Finance® Podcast, newly-minted LPGA tour professional and Team Old National player Kiara Romero sits down with host Ben Joergens to discuss her rookie season, keeping a patient mindset, new financial planning challenges, and much more.

On starting in golf:

Well, it started when I was six years old. I think my parents just kind of started taking us to the range and stuff. And me and my siblings all played golf together and we played a bunch of matches against each other. And it was kind of just like an afterschool activity for us. But I played my first tournament when I was seven years old and I ended up winning it. So it was a lot of fun. And I think ever since those moments, just playing that game, I grew such a love for the game and I've always wanted to make a career out of it and kind of travel the world and play the game.

On managing her mindset on the course:

I think honestly, just really trying to do my best to stay patient out there and kind of putting things into perspective. Yeah, we can be having a bad day out there, but my worst days might be someone's best day. Life is pretty good if me making a bogey is the worst thing that can happen to me that day. So I think sometimes we get a little bit ahead of ourselves and start thinking it's a lot more serious than it really is. And so yeah, just keeping a very present mindset and just focusing on the shot that's right in front of you and not kind of putting extra pressure and extra stress. And I think having my brother on the bag really helps with that out there because we're really close and he keeps it light out there.

On her biggest adjustments to playing the LPGA tour as a rookie:

I think just kind of getting used to traveling all over the place. I think being on the LPGA tour we play a bit more tournaments than we usually do in amateur golf. And on top of that, it's four-day tournaments, not just three. So it's long weeks out there and I think just kind of taking things slow and not get too far ahead of yourself and I think just keeping it fun.

On her financial planning and spending as an LPGA professional:

Yeah, it's really interesting because with college golf, even junior golf, I've never had to go and book my own flights and my own hotel and start thinking about some things I've never thought I've had to even deal with. But now, I have to pay for a caddy and all these things. But it's been a lot of fun just trying to figure that out and become a little bit of an adult, not just a kid that goes and has everything planned out for them. But yeah, I think I'm still just trying to learn about that.

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