Carlota Ciganda 67: LPGA Mexico First Round Update

Playa del Carmen, Mexico – Brianna Do and Melanie Green share the first-round lead at the Riviera Maya Open at Mayakoba with a score of 6-under-par 66, while Spain’s Carlota Ciganda sits one stroke behind at 5-under 67.

Green, an LPGA rookie, achieved a remarkable hole-in-one during her round, contributing to her strong start. She finished with a total of six birdies and one bogey. Do began her round strongly, securing four birdies in the first five holes and finishing with a 3-under back nine.

Ciganda’s performance included seven birdies and two bogeys. According to reporting from the Associated Press, Ciganda played the par 5s at even par despite her overall strong showing.

“I actually had my U.S. Open qualifier, I don’t know, like two weeks ago or a week ago, and it was very windy, so it kind of helped me prepare myself for this week mentally,”

Brianna Do

Do credited a recent U.S. Open qualifier played in windy conditions for preparing her mentally for the challenges presented by the Riviera Maya Open. She stated that her strong start provided a “good cushion to kind of play aggressive the rest of the round.”

“I’m like, ‘Shane, that’s not nice. It’s not in the hole. That’s not nice,’” Green recalled. “I walk up there and all I could see was the cross. I was so excited. Yeah, thought I just went way left. But whatever. Good bounce.”

Melanie Green

Green’s hole-in-one at the par-3 15th initially surprised her, as she didn’t witness the ball going in. She initially questioned her caddie, Shane, before confirming the ace herself.

Nelly Korda also posted a strong opening round, carding a 68, alongside Gaby Lopez and Erika Hara of Japan. Korda recently won the Chevron Championship, the first major of the year, and appears to be continuing her strong form.

The Riviera Maya Open is being held at the El Camaleon Golf Course in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. The windy conditions presented a challenge for players on Thursday.

Do, 36, began her LPGA Tour career in 2013, while Green, 24, is in her first season on the tour.