Erik van Rooyen took the lead in the first round of the Mexico Open at Vidanta in Vallarta, Mexico, shooting an 8-under-par 63 on Thursday.
Scorching the front nine, van Rooyen made an eagle on the par-5 sixth hole and birdies on Nos. 3, 4, 7, and 9, going out in 29. He later mixed in an eagle, a birdie, and a bogey with six pars on the back nine.
Finland’s Sami Valimaki, starting on the back nine, secured second place with a 7-under 64, driving the green on the par-4 seventh hole and converting an eagle.
American David Lipsky tied for third with a round of 6-under 65, along with Sweden’s Henrik Norlander, Chile’s Cristobal Del Solar, and South Africa’s MJ Daffue.
Defending champion and pre-tournament favorite Tony Finau was tied for 29th after a 2-under 69.
Among eight players three shots back in a tie for seventh at 66 were Andrew Novak and Cameron Champ.
– Field Level Media
