Paula Reto Bio
Paula Reto (born 3 May 1990) is a South African professional golfer who competes on the LPGA Tour. She qualified for the tour through Q-School on her first attempt in 2013 and has since built a steady career highlighted by competitive finishes and a breakthrough victory on home soil. Reto is also recognized for her collegiate success at Purdue University, where she was part of an NCAA championship team.
Born in Cape Town, South Africa, Reto came to golf later than many of her peers, yet she progressed quickly through the amateur ranks before turning professional. She is regarded as one of the prominent South African players of her generation on the LPGA Tour.
Early Life and Background
Paula Reto was born on 3 May 1990 in Cape Town, South Africa. Growing up in a country with a deep golfing tradition, she was exposed to a variety of sports during her youth. She played field hockey and ran track in her younger years, demonstrating an early interest in athletics before she found her true sporting calling.
Reto did not begin playing golf until 2005, when she was 15 years old. Despite the late start by competitive standards, she developed quickly and showed promise in the amateur game. Her multi-sport background contributed to her athletic foundation, and her transition into golf marked the beginning of what would become a serious competitive career.
Path to Golf
After taking up golf in 2005, Reto committed to the sport and pursued opportunities to compete at a higher level. She moved to the United States to play collegiate golf at Purdue University, joining the Purdue Boilermakers women’s golf team from 2009 to 2012. During her time with the Boilermakers, she became a key contributor to one of the strongest programs in women’s collegiate golf.
Reto was a member of the 2010 Purdue team that won the NCAA National Championship, establishing her credentials as a winner on a national stage. She was a three-time First-Team All-Big Ten Conference selection between 2011 and 2013, and in 2013 she was named a First-Team All-American. That same year, she earned an individual third-place finish at the NCAA Championships and received the Mary Fossum Award for the lowest stroke average in the Big Ten Conference.
On the amateur circuit, Reto won the Dixie Amateur in both 2011 and 2012. In 2012, she reached the quarterfinals of the U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship, where she was eliminated by eventual champion and world’s top-ranked amateur, Lydia Ko. These results confirmed her readiness to turn professional.
Paula Reto Career
Early Career (2013–2014)
Reto turned professional in 2013 and qualified for the LPGA Tour through Q-School on her first attempt, tying for 13th place to earn full status for the 2014 season. The strong finish in qualifying signaled a smooth transition from the amateur ranks to the professional game.
In her rookie season on the LPGA Tour in 2014, Reto finished 77th on the official money list and placed seventh in the Louise Suggs Rookie of the Year race. She recorded a solo third at the 2014 Yokohama Tire LPGA Classic and at one point held a three-shot lead through 36 holes and shared the lead after 54 holes at an event in Prattville, Alabama. These performances established her as a consistent contender.
LPGA Tour Breakthrough (2015–2019)
Reto continued to develop on the LPGA Tour and represented South Africa on the international stage. She finished tied for 16th at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, a notable achievement in one of golf’s premier events.
She qualified for the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo but was forced to withdraw due to COVID-19 protocols. Earlier in this stretch, Reto was the runner-up at the 2019 FireKeepers Casino Hotel Championship, finishing two strokes behind Ssu-Chia Cheng. These results reflected her growing competitiveness on the LPGA Tour.
First LPGA Victory Era (2022–Present)
Reto captured her first LPGA Tour victory at the Canadian Women’s Open on 28 August 2022. She posted rounds of 62-69-67-67 for a total of 265 (−19), winning by one stroke over Nelly Korda and Choi Hye-jin. Her opening-round 62 set a tournament record, marking a defining moment in her professional career.
Driving Style and Strengths
Reto is recognized for her consistency and ball-striking ability, traits that helped her rise through the amateur and professional ranks. Her strong iron play and composed approach on the greens have been central to her success, including her record-setting performance at the 2022 Canadian Women’s Open.
Notable Events and Milestones
Reto’s milestones include her 2010 NCAA National Championship team title at Purdue, her three First-Team All-Big Ten selections, her 2013 First-Team All-American honor, her 2016 Olympic appearance, and her 2022 Canadian Women’s Open victory. She is also a two-time Dixie Amateur champion (2011 and 2012).
Paula Reto Career Wins
Across the amateur, collegiate, and professional circuits, Paula Reto has compiled a strong record of victories. Her most significant wins include two Dixie Amateur titles in 2011 and 2012, and her first LPGA Tour victory at the 2022 Canadian Women’s Open.
LPGA Tour Highlights
Reto has recorded one LPGA Tour victory, the 2022 Canadian Women’s Open, won by one stroke over Nelly Korda and Choi Hye-jin. Her opening round of 62 set a new tournament record, and her total of 265 (−19) remains a career highlight.
Other Wins and Performances
On the amateur side, Reto won the Dixie Amateur in 2011 and 2012, and contributed to Purdue’s 2010 NCAA National Championship team title. She reached the quarterfinals of the 2012 U.S. Women’s Amateur, where she was eliminated by eventual champion Lydia Ko.
Paula Reto Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Paula Reto was raised in Cape Town, South Africa. Public information about her parents and family background is limited.
Personal Life
Details about Paula Reto’s personal life, including marital status and family, are not widely documented in public sources.
2025 Season Performance
Paula Reto continues to compete on the LPGA Tour during the 2025 season, building on the momentum of her 2022 Canadian Women’s Open victory. As an established tour member, she is focused on consistent performances and contending in events throughout the season.
With her experience and proven ability to compete against the top players in the world, Reto remains a steady presence in the South African contingent on the LPGA Tour. Her track record of strong iron play and composed scoring positions her to pursue additional wins and contention finishes during the year.