Lorena Ochoa Opens LPGA Riviera Maya Open in Playa del Carmen

Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo — The second edition of the LPGA Riviera Maya Open teed off Thursday at the El Camaleón golf course in Mayakoba, bringing together top players from around the world, including Mexican legend Lorena Ochoa, who attended the tournament’s inauguration.

During a ceremony on the 18th tee, Ochoa joined Mexican golfers Gaby López, Isabella Fierro, and María Fassi to hit the opening shots of the tournament, which aims to inspire new generations and become a regular stop on the LPGA Tour.

“It’s so beautiful to be here. Thank you to the Mexican Golf Federation and the LPGA for being here, and to my friends Gaby, María, and Isabella, who get to play now. It’s going to be a great week,” said the former world No. 1.

Ochoa, who held the top spot for 158 consecutive weeks and won 27 LPGA titles including two majors — the 2007 Women’s British Open and the 2008 Kraft Nabisco Championship — recalled the pressure she felt playing in Mexico and offered advice to the new generation of players.

“Enjoy the week at home, feel relaxed. Last year was a big learning experience because of the pressure of being local. But the important thing is that it’s our responsibility to bring people from different parts of the country to inspire new generations. Watching a live tournament invites you to dream and changes your reality. Congratulations for inspiring so many girls across Mexico to dream of becoming professionals,” she said.

Also present at the event were Gustavo Santoscoy Arriaga and his son, tournament director Gustavo Santoscoy García, founders of GS Sports Management, a company dedicated to promoting women’s sports in Mexico.

Tournament Details

• Round 1: Thursday, April 30
• Round 2: Friday, May 1
• Round 3: Saturday, May 2
• Round 4: Sunday, May 3
• Prize purse: $2.5 million — $375,000 for the champion
• Number of players: 144
• Mexican players: Gaby López, Isabella Fierro, María Fassi, Clarisa Temelo, Andrea Ostos, María Balcázar, Carolina Rotzinger, Ana Jiménez, and Alejandra Llaneza