He finished his round Thursday as though he'd love to see it on there again, closing with four straight. I don't think I need to get ahead of myself. Goya played bogey-free and finished with a birdie from left of the green on the par-5 18th. Its funny, but certainly dont want to get stung by those bad boys.. But his round started to turn when he took an aggressive line over the water and left of the pin to about 7 feet on the par-3 17th and holed the putt for one of only two birdies on that hole in the first round. Tony Finau was among five players at 65, and one of them felt just as good as Smotherman. I feel like Ive been trending the last couple months and things came together nicely today. Raul Pereda of Mexico, who played college golf at Jacksonville University, made his PGA Tour debut as a sponsor exemption in his national Open. Im happy I played as good as I did on the back nine and capped it off with the putt on the last hole.. He finished his round Thursday as though he'd love to see it on there again, closing with four straight birdies for an 8-under 63 and a one-shot lead over Erik van Rooyen and Tano Goya. VALLARTA, Mexico -- Austin Smotherman already has his name on the Mexico Open trophy. There are names on that trophy that are in the Hall of Fame. House G.O.P., Divided Over Immigration, Advances Border Crackdown Plan; Democrats see abortion as winning issue with 2024 Biden reelection launch Austin Smotherman already has his name on the Mexico Open trophy. His best moment might have been a par on the 10th. "Just the reception, winning an event like that, the Mexico Open, which has such a deep history. All the more impressive, No. "Frankie and Chez, they look at me like I'm nuts and then 30 seconds later the bees just went right at them. Bees briefly halt Mexico play; Smotherman atop, LIV's Gooch may miss U.S. Open over rule tweak, Rozner shoots 63 to lead Korea Championship, Jon Rahm begins title defense, LIV players contemplate Ryder Cup and more from the golf world, Canada, Latin America to form PGA Tour Americas, Hardy, Riley WD from Mexico Open fresh off win, Hensby wins Invited Celebrity Classic in playoff, Vu wins Chevron in playoff to claim first major. Van Rooyen also had a big finish, playing his final five holes in 4 under. The South African is no stranger to seeing wildlife on the course, like when he tees it up at the Alfred Dunhill Championship at Leopard Creek Country Club overlooking Kruger National Park in South Africa. His name is on the trophy with Ben Crenshaw, Billy Casper, Lee Trevino, Bobby Locke and Roberto De Vicenzo. I don't think I need to get ahead of myself. Austin Smotherman shoots 63 to lead by one at Mexico Open "I wish I would have taken advantage of it more. subscription, ePaper Highlights of round one at the Mexico Open at the Vidanta Vallarta course, Jon Rahm carded a four-under opening round of 67 at the Mexico Open, Erik van Rooyen and several other players on the 10th hole of the Abierto Mexicano de Golf course as they were forced to drop to the floor because of an approaching swarm of bees, Ref Watch: 'Klopp case closed but Jota got lucky! He finished with a 25-foot birdie putt, his third birdie putt of 15 feet or longer. Players duck for cover at Mexico Open due to swarm of bees Rahm is playing for the second time in three weeks since his Masters victory. Bees! Before long, Chez Reavie and Francesco Molinari and the caddies hit the turf to avoid a swarm of bees. Masters champion Jon Rahm, who won the Mexico Open at Vidanta for his only 2022 PGA Tour title a year ago, had five birdies on his last 11 holes to overcome a sluggish start for a 67. Van Rooyen also had a big finish, playing his final five holes in 4 under. Smotherman is winless on the PGA Tour. He missed only three greens on a gorgeous morning. Tano Goya played bogey-free and finished with a birdie from left of the green on the par-5 18th. I just told my caddie, Bees, bees, bees. And he looks at me like I'm crazy, van Rooyen said. 2023 Mexico Open at Vidanta: Raul Pereda shoots 65 in PGA Tour debut Austin Smotherman parents Austin Smotherman of the United States waits with caddie on the 15th I just told my caddie, Bees, bees, bees. And he looks at me like I'm crazy, van Rooyen said. He won the Mexico Open in 2018 on a different golf course it was held in Tijuana that year and when it was part of the PGA Tour Latinoamerica schedule. It's just like any other sanctioned tour event for me. He won the Mexico Open in 2018 on a different golf course it was held in Tijuana that year and when it was part of the PGA Tour Latinoamerica schedule. But his round started to turn when he took an aggressive line over the water and left of the pin to about 7 feet on the par-3 17th and holed the putt for one of only two birdies on that hole in the first round. 10 played as the second-toughest of the day. The Mexico Open's history dates back to 1944 and it has seen names like Lee Trevino, Bobby Locke, Ben Crenshaw, Billy Casper, and Roberto De Vicenzo lifting the trophy ever since. Register to read and get full access to gulfnews.com, By clicking below to sign up, you're agreeing to our Before long, Reavie and Molinari and the caddies hit the turf to avoid the swarm. His start was less than ideal in the best of the weather. His first victory on the Korn Ferry Tour came in 2021 at the Simmons Bank Open, where he beat Paul Haley II and Yuan Yechun by 3 strokes. "So I dropped down, then he sees them, he dropped down. Those first 13 holes we had virtually no wind, about as easy conditions as it can get. Bees! Before long, Chez Reavie and Francesco Molinari and the caddies hit the turf to avoid a swarm of bees. I just saw them here and I just told my caddie, I'm like, Bees, bees, bees, and he looks at me like I'm crazy, said van Rooyen. ASSOCIATED PRESS VALLARTA, Mexico Austin Smotherman already has his name on the Mexico Open trophy. The last time was on his final hole, the par-3 ninth, and he chipped in for his eighth birdie of the round. Tony Finau was among five players at 65, and one of them felt just as good as Smotherman. VALLARTA, Mexico -- Austin Smotherman already has his name on the Mexico Open trophy. Smotherman played bogey-free at Vidanta Vallarta. He played collegiate golf at Southern Methodist University and currently plays on the Korn Ferry Tour. I kind of did the same thing today, so everything clicked nicely, van Rooyen said. 2023 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. Prior to teeing off,. AUSTIN, Texas A year ago, Scottie Scheffler used a newfound swagger and closing ability to roll through the bracket at the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play and capture his third PGA Tour title in just seven weeks. Austin Smotherman closed the first round of the Mexico Open at Vidanta with four back-to-back birdies, carding an 8-under 63 to secure a one-stroke lead over Erik van Rooyen and Tano Goya. After two delays, rainy weather and windy conditions, Austin Smotherman captured the title at the Simmons Bank Open for the Snedeker Foundation Sunday afternoon. Smotherman is winless on the PGA Tour. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. "I'm happy I played as good as I did on the back nine and capped it off with the putt on the last hole.". Ref Watch LIVE! Van Rooyen also had a big finish, playing his final five holes in 4 under. @austin_smotherman's caddie is a wizard. The last time was on his final hole, the par-3 ninth, and he chipped in for his eighth birdie of the round. His best moment might have been a par on the 10th. He finished with a 25-foot birdie putt, his third birdie putt of 15 feet or longer. La marca comercial de Korn Ferry tambin es una marca comercial registrada y se usa en el logotipo del Korn Ferry Tour con autorizacin. He twice failed to get up-and-down from just off the green, missing par putts from the 6-foot range. Frankie and Chez, they look at me like Im nuts and then 30 seconds later the bees just went right at them. He finished his round Thursday as though hed love to see it on there again, closing with four straight birdies for an 8-under 63 and a one-shot lead over Erik van Rooyen and Tano Goya. Raul Pereda of Mexico, who played college golf at Jacksonville University, made his PGA TOUR debut as a sponsor exemption in his national Open. The 28-year-old American pro golfer married Jesse Smotherman, his long-time girlfriend. Smotherman played bogey-free in his opening round, while he missed only three greens in regulation on a gorgeous morning. Youve just got reset and refocus, so its simple., Van Rooyen began his day with four birdies in his first seven holes before making a bogey on the par-4 eighth. The threesome of Erik van Rooyen, Chez Reavie and Francesco Molinari took cover when a swarm of bees flew around them on the 10th hole in Vallarta, Mexico. #TeamTaylo." TaylorMade Golf Canada on Instagram: "How did @gaugs88 pull this off? Cam Young, new caddie off to fast start at WGC-Dell Match Play Frankie and Chez, they look at me like I'm nuts and then 30 seconds later the bees just went right at them. He missed only three greens on a gorgeous morning. Tony Finau was among five players at 65, and one of them felt just as good as Smotherman. I don't think I need to get ahead of myself. But after an opening-round 64, there is just one part of nature of which van Rooyen hopes to remain acquainted through the week. His name is on the trophy with Ben Crenshaw, Billy Casper, Lee Trevino, Bobby Locke and Roberto De Vicenzo. Live coverage continues on Friday from 1.45pm on Sky Sports Golf. The Mexico Open was the only win he had registered in 2022. Please try another search. Its 18 holes a day, and just 18 chances for birdie, and just commit to every shot.. Terms of Use I mean, still get a little bit of some goosebumps thinking about it, Smotherman said. Goya played bogey-free and finished with a birdie from left of the green on the par-5 18th. Smotherman is winless on the PGA Tour. Golfer takes early lead at 2023 Mexico Open at Vidanta. . Copyright 2023 PGA TOUR, Inc. All rights reserved. A national open anywhere is very special., Austin Smothermans interview after Round 1 of the Mexico Open.