The LPGA Tour is set to tee off in Mexico for the first time since 2017, with a star-studded field competing at the El Camaleón Golf Club in the inaugural edition of the MEXICO Riviera Maya Open.
Here are five things you need to know about one of the newest stops on the LPGA Tour:
– Returning to Mexico: The LPGA Tour will compete in Mexico for the first time since 2017, with a field that includes Lorena Ochoa, Gaby Lopez, and Maria Fassi.
– The Course: El Camaleón Golf Club is a familiar venue to those who follow the game of golf, having previously hosted several men’s events. The course will play to a par 72 at roughly 6,583 yards.
– The Field: A slew of major champions are in the field, including Sei Young Kim, Brittany Lincicome, Yani Tseng, and In Gee Chun. Several other top-ranked players are also competing this week.
– Growing the Game in Mexico: Maria Balcazar, Fernanda Lira, and amateur Clarisa Temelo will get a chance to follow in the footsteps of their role models when they compete at El Camaleón. They received sponsor exemptions to compete in the new LPGA Tour stop.
– Popov Returns to Winner’s Circle: Sophia Popov earned her fifth career win and first victory on the Epson Tour at the Carlisle Arizona Women’s Golf Classic, marking her first victory since becoming a mother in 2023.
The Players
A slew of major champions are in the field this week, including:
– Sei Young Kim: The most recent winner on the LPGA Tour in Mexico in 2017 is looking to add another title to her resume.
– Brittany Lincicome: The two-time major champion announced her retirement from full-time competition last year but is still competing this week.
– Yani Tseng: The Taiwanese golfer has qualified for her first U.S. Women’s Open in nine years and is looking to make a statement this week.
– In Gee Chun: The South Korean golfer was chasing a chance to complete the Career Grand Slam at The Chevron Championship but will look to bounce back from a disappointing performance.
The Schedule
The MEXICO Riviera Maya Open will get underway on Thursday, with 144 players competing over 72 holes for a purse of $2.5 million.
Here’s a look at the schedule:
– Thursday: Round 1
– Friday: Round 2
– Saturday: Round 3
– Sunday: Final Round
Source: LPGA
