Azahara Muñoz has been fighting low energy levels since she was a child, but says she feels “a million times better” now that she is being treated for Hashimoto’s disease, a condition in which the immune system attacks the thyroid.
Fatigue had been a way of life for the six-time tournament winner, who has represented Europe three times in The Solheim Cup, but she was finally diagnosed in September 2016 after her hair started falling out.
“I thought maybe I was just practising too much or getting stressed out with all the travel that I do, but I should have gone to the doctor way sooner. I knew something was wrong,” said the 30-year-old from San Pedro del Alcantara, near Marbella.
She says she was feeling much better by the time that she played in – and successfully defended – the Andalucía Costa del Sol Open de España title at her home club Guadalmina a year ago. However, it was a condition she was still coping with when she won the Lacoste Ladies Open de France at Golf de Chantaco in 2013 and 2014.
“It’s not that, with what I have, I won’t be able to perform,” she explained, adding that it affects her recovery time more than anything. “It’s just that I get tired and have to be careful. Looking back, I got diagnosed with this in September 2016 but I’ve had symptoms I think for a long time. I do remember after working out being really tired and if I worked out in the morning, my day was over. I had really dry skin and was always cold, which were symptoms. I think I’ve had it for a very long time but my body couldn’t fight it anymore so I started having more symptoms.
“Normally I practice in the morning and work out, but I was so exhausted by the end of the day that by the time I went for a walk with the dog in the evening, I felt like my body was aching. I haven’t felt that in a long time, which is why I’m so happy now. I don’t ache anymore and I feel like I have so much more energy. I wake up in the morning and I’m ready to go.”
Muñoz, who placed third in last year’s Open behind Cristie Kerr, is hoping that her renewed energy levels will help her to claim a hat-trick of Lacoste Ladies Open de France titles this weekend at Golf du Médoc, near Bordeaux.
“I definitely have good memories from this event and I’m feeling good. It’s a new venue and I haven’t had the chance to play the course yet but I’ve heard great things about it so it should be fun today playing in the Pro-Am. I always love coming back to Europe and especially this event, being with my sponsor, I’m really happy to be here. Every week I’m there to win, but being with my sponsor, Lacoste, it would be amazing if I could win this event again.”
The 2010 LPGA Rookie of the Year and 2012 Sybase Match Play Champion, who has won five Ladies European Tour titles, including the Madrid Ladies Masters on her professional debut, has excelled each time she has played in continental Europe and she said: “I always feel comfortable when I come here. I love the atmosphere, the girls are super nice, a bit more friendly and I feel happy to play in Europe. I’m a bit more relaxed and my best game comes out of it.”
She will begin the 2018 Lacoste Ladies Open de France at 1.25pm on Thursday, playing with fellow former champions Beth Allen (2016) and Céline Herbin (2015).
