Jenny Bae (-7) is leading the Mexico Riviera Maya Open after the first 54 holes of the tournament being held at the Camaleón Golf Club in Mayakoba.
The American is in pursuit of her first victory in what is her rookie season on the LPGA Tour. If she succeeds, she would be the third debutant to claim a win this season following the victories of Rio Takeda and Ingrid Linblad. A true rookie uprising in 2025. The second-placed players in Mexico, Yahui Zhang (-6) and Chisato Iwai (-6), are also experiencing their first season in the North American elite.
There is one more noteworthy fact with only 18 holes remaining in Playa del Carmen. None of the top eleven in the tournament have ever won on the world’s most demanding women’s golf circuit.
Perhaps, just perhaps, this fact might slightly open the door for Carlota Ciganda (-1). The Navarrese is six strokes behind Jenny after a Saturday that was considerably less productive than expected. Her first over-par card of the week (73 strokes) drops her to 23rd place, making things challenging. Only a great final round and the inexperience of those ahead could lead to Carlota’s third victory on the circuit. The top ten is within three strokes, so there is still room to gather a good haul of points.
Julia López (+2), the other Spaniard who made the cut in Mayakoba, also did not have the moving day she dreamed of. A second consecutive round of 74 strokes drops her beyond 40th place. Three bogeys between the 12th and 15th holes marred a round she managed to salvage slightly with a final birdie.
The Malagueña will seek a good final round to climb positions and collect the maximum possible points towards the Order of Merit for the year, where she currently stands in 121st place.
Among the other favourites, Linn Grant is at -2 and Charley Hull is out of contention at +1.
