Two American golfers have seized control at the top of the leaderboard following Thursday’s opening round of the Riviera Maya Open in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. Brianna Do closed her round with a birdie on the final hole to match fellow American Melanie Green at 6-under-par 66.
Green, competing in her first year on the LPGA Tour, recorded a hole-in-one during an eventful front nine and finished with a birdie followed by a bogey on her final two holes to reach 6-under.
Spanish golfer Carlota Ciganda sits one stroke behind the leaders in third place at 5-under 67, posting seven birdies against two bogeys during her round.
Do got off to a fast start at El Camaleon Golf Course, recording four birdies within her opening five holes. She stumbled with her only bogey to end the front nine but bounced back with back-to-back birdies on holes 11 and 12, contributing to a 3-under performance on the back nine.
Despite challenging windy conditions, Do remained composed thanks to recent experience in similar weather during her U.S. Open qualifier.
“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,” Do said.
“(My strong start) kind of gave me a good start and a good cushion to kind of play aggressive the rest of the round.”
Green began her round on the back nine and reached 6-under through nine holes with an ace, five birdies, and one bogey. After recording birdies on holes 17 and 18, she temporarily reached 7-under with another birdie on the par-3 8th before dropping a shot on the final par-4.
The most memorable moment of Green’s round occurred on the par-3 15th hole, though she missed seeing her ball find the cup and initially doubted her caddie’s announcement.
“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.
“I can’t say that (a hole-in-one) was a goal of mine this year, but always fun to have. It’s more fun when you can see it go in, but that’s OK.”
The 36-year-old Do joined the tour in 2013, while 24-year-old Green is in her debut season. Both players are still seeking their first LPGA Tour victory.
Do’s best career finish came at last year’s inaugural Riviera Maya Open, where she tied for ninth at 3-under.
“Having a good week here last year brought good vibes coming back, so I was excited to be back here and try and better how I played last year,” Do said.
World No. 1 Nelly Korda, who reclaimed the top ranking with her victory at last week’s Chevron Championship, is among six players sharing fourth place at 4-under. The group also includes Japan’s Erika Hara, Mexico’s Gaby Lopez, Japan’s Cocona Sakurai, South Korea’s Soo Bin Joo, and Thailand’s Suvichaya Vinijchaitham.
Defending champion Chizzy Iwai of Japan struggled in her title defense, sitting tied for 85th at 3-over 75 after a double bogey on the par-3 8th hole.
