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Another Latin American star on the rise

Paraguay native Granada poised for more success in 2008 on LPGA Tour

But her success hasn't come without some complications. Rosa says that after the ADT victory, "Everybody knows us now in Paraguay, and it's tough. I asked the newspapers if, for Julieta's safety, they would not mention her winnings and just celebrate the fact she won. But they did say she won a million dollars and Julieta is now a target."

It was during one of Granada's last visits to Paraguay several years ago that she was first struck by the differences in attitude between the two countries. She was playing a round and threw her new ball away after nine holes because she had grown accustomed to doing so in the U.S. "My playing partners were like, 'What are you doing? That's a brand-new ball!'?" Granada says. "That kind of opened my eyes. I told myself, 'I've got a great opportunity to play golf for a living. Let's make the best of it, and always appreciate what you're getting and the people who got you there.'"

Those people are her parents. Granada's father comes to the U.S. about six times a year to visit and watch his daughter play; Rosa is her full-time caddie. The mother-daughter pairing is one of only two on the LPGA Tour (Italy's Silvia Cavalleri and her mother are the other). Granada pays her mother the same rate as other tour caddies: $1,000 per week, plus 10 percent of winnings. "We had to make a game plan, because usually mothers and daughters don't get along very well, and even worse on the golf course," Granada laughs. "On the course, we're caddie and player. I can say anything to her and she won't take it the wrong way. Off the course, she's my mom and, obviously, I have to do whatever she tells me."

Except when it comes to spending $1 million.

"After I won the ADT, I asked her what we should get and she answered, 'A used car.' So that was it. I didn't ask her anymore."



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