Karl Vilips carded a nine-under 62 to claim the first-round lead at the Mexico Open at Vidanta Vallarta, the first of two straight PGA Tour events in the country. The 25-year-old Australian birdied five straight holes (Nos. 11-15) on his opening nine and finished with four consecutive birdies, overcoming a bogey in between. "Had it on a string for the first nine," Vilips said. "Got a little loose in the middle and got it back on course toward the end of the round."
Kensai Hirata of Japan was a stroke back at 63, while Ben Griffin, Marco Penge, Garrick Higgo and Jeffrey Kang carded 64s. Penge, ranked 112th in the FedEx Cup standings, made an 18-foot eagle putt on No. 3 but noted he has only played 18 tournaments this year due to health issues.
Alvaro Ortiz of Mexico opened with a 65 in a bogey-free round. "It was lovely... I felt like I was just flowing the whole day," Ortiz said. He previously won the event in 2021 when it was part of the PGA Tour Latinoamerica schedule.
Defending champion Brian Campbell and Tom Kim both shot 67. U.S. Open champion Wyndham Clark had a 69, and John Daly II, son of two-time major winner John Daly, opened with a 70 on a sponsor exemption.
Source: Sky Sports Champions League · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing