Lizette Salas Returns to Her Hometown Event; Surprises Legendary Los Angeles Sportscaster Jim Hill with a Special Celebratory Gift
By Emily Cho
LOS ANGELES – After one and a half years of being out, Lizette Salas returns to LA in her second start of the 2026 season. Her first tournament back was The Ford Championship presented by Wild Horse Pass in Arizona, where she was glad she played to get the jitters out from being back.
“I think just being able to step on it…on the tee again is just a gift and a privilege that I don’t want to take for granted anymore,” said Salas after her opening round at the JM Eagle LA Championship presented by Plastpro, where she shot even par.
Salas played two rounds in Arizona with zero back pain, and for the first time in a while she says she played like she was 100% healthy again.
“It’s almost like you have to tell your body like it’s okay to go full speed,” said Salas. “I know how my body works a little bit more. It’s always in the back of your mind, ‘Like okay, don’t hurt yourself.’ But I think we’re over that hump.”
Even Hall-of-Fame sports broadcaster and former NFL player Jim Hill says golf is the most challenging activity there is.
“Because…on one hole, you could look like you kind of play pretty good. And then the other 17 holes, you look like you shouldn't have come out at all,” said Hill. “You should have gone someplace else. But it brings out the competitiveness in you.”
Hill is a legend and an iconic figure in Los Angeles. He has been covering sports in Los Angeles for 50 years. The LPGA Tour players recognized that achievement today by honoring him with a JM Eagle LA Championship pin flag signed by the entire 144-player field competing this week. The flag was delivered to Hill by Los Angeles’ own, Lizette Salas.
“I'm still trying to put it together and to comprehend this,” said an emotional Hill after receiving the flag from Salas following her opening round on Thursday.
Hill thought he was interviewing Salas on her comeback to the LPGA. He was shocked to be surprised by a wholesome gift from the players, especially being presented by a player that he has covered since she was little.
“She finally got back at me,” said a surprised Hill upon receiving the gift. “in the back of her mind she's saying, ‘okay one day I'm gonna get you.’ She did today.”
Salas took the time to appreciate that opportunity to present the gift to the legendary sports broadcaster.
“I know that pros sign flags all the time, but this one going to Jim is pretty special,” said Salas. “I've had a personal connection with him since I was little. “He covered me at the CIF (California Interscholastic Federation) state championship events and he's hosted the ESPN awards that I've gotten. So to have our roads kind of keep going together or passing along each other is pretty cool.”
Salas also appreciates the time Hill took to come to the JM Eagle Championship, especially when the LPGA doesn’t receive as much coverage as other sports.
“It's an honor to have any media attention, right?” said Salas. “He's an athlete himself. He acknowledges the grind and the pressure and what it takes to be great. I think it's just an honor to have him on property and, you know, to give his viewers just a sneak peek of what the LPGA can bring to LA too, especially with the U.S. Women’s Open here in a few months.”
Salas hopes to compete in the U.S. Women’s Open in June at Riviera Country Club, but she admits to having no expectations. She just is grateful for being back, being able to compete, and taking in every moment out on the LPGA Tour in her hometown of Los Angeles.
