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. Standing over the shot with a 4-iron, the South African backed off and said, Bees! Even so, the Mexico Open dates to 1944. Smotherman played bogey-free in his opening round, while he missed only three greens in regulation on a gorgeous morning. 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 event for me. I dont think I need to get ahead of myself. The Korn Ferry trademark is also a registered trademark, and is used in the Korn Ferry Tour logo with permission. Austin Smotherman of the United States waits with caddie on the 15th hole during the second round of the RBC Heritage at Harbour Town Golf Links on April 14, 2023 in Hilton Head Island, South. It's 18 holes a day, and just 18 chances for birdie, and just commit to every shot.. Its funny, but certainly dont want to get stung by those bad boys.. (Molinari) and (Reavie) look at me like I'm nuts and then they realized, like, 30 seconds later the bees just went right at them., It's funny, but certainly don't want to get stung by those bad boys.. So I dropped down, then he sees them, he dropped down. The 28-year-old played a bogey-free first round at Vidanta Vallarta, missing only three greens. Tony Finau also carded a 65 finish in round 1 at T-4 along with four others: Eric Cole, Stephan Jaeger, Taylor Pendrith, and Raul Pereda. The last time was on his final hole, the par-3 ninth, and he chipped in for his eighth birdie of the round. Click here to learn more. His start was less than ideal in the best of the weather. Standing over the shot with a 4-iron, the South African backed off and said, Bees! Bees! Before long, Chez Reavie and Francesco Molinari and the caddies hit the turf to avoid a swarm of bees. His name is on the trophy with Ben Crenshaw, Billy Casper, Lee Trevino, Bobby Locke and Roberto De Vicenzo. 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. Tano Goya and Erik van Rooyen trail Smotherman by one, both on seven under, with the latter having a big finish that saw him play his final five holes in four under - including an eagle on the par-four 15th when he holed out from 141 yards. Tony Finau is among five players two shots off the lead after a six-under opening round of 65. He also had a pair of birdies on the pars 5 on the back nine. 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. Im happy I played as good as I did on the back nine and capped it off with the putt on the last hole.. Just the reception, winning an event like that, the Mexico Open, which has such a deep history. I just told my caddie, Bees, bees, bees. And he looks at me like Im crazy, van Rooyen said. World No 1 Jon Rahm is four shots off leader Austin Smotherman, who shot an eight-under 63 in the opening round of the Mexico Open to lead by one. He added another birdie on No. Rory McIlroy to defend RBC Canadian Open title at Oakdale Golf and Country Club, Hannah Green of Australia wins LPGA at Wilshire in playoff, Finau wins Mexico Open, Gooch wins 2nd straight LIV event. A national open anywhere is very special.. Disable anytime. Cards 7-under 64 after eluding swarm of bees at Vidanta Vallarta, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. He missed only three greens on a gorgeous morning. Smotherman played bogey-free at Vidanta Vallarta. VALLARTA, Mexico (AP) Austin Smotherman already has his name on the Mexico Open trophy. Smotherman has won the Mexico Open in the past but he is still winless on the PGA Tour. It's just like any other sanctioned tour event for me. He said he hit pitching wedge and just went straight at it.. Rahm is playing for the second time in three weeks since his Masters victory. This website stores cookies on your computer. 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. Those first 13 holes we had virtually no wind, about as easy conditions as it can get. And he looks at me like I'm crazy," van Rooyen said. His start was less than ideal in the best of the weather. So I dropped down, then he sees them, he dropped down. The Korn Ferry trademark is also a registered trademark, and is used in the Korn Ferry Tour logo with permission. Standing over the shot with a 4-iron, the South African backed off and said, Bees! I'm going to have a cold beer after this round today with my parents and just keep it very simple, Pereda said. Van Rooyen also had a big finish, playing his final five holes in 4 under. These cookies are used to improve your experience and provide more personalized service to you. @austin_smotherman's caddie is a wizard. Bees! 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. Well send you latest news updates through the day. PGA TOUR, PGA TOUR Champions, and the Swinging Golfer design are registered trademarks. Here's the leaderboard after the first round: Round 2 of the 2023 Mexico Open will start at 8:45 am on Friday, April 28, with Brian Stuard, Kelly Kraft, and Joseph Bramlett teeing up on hole 1. It's 18 holes a day, and just 18 chances for birdie, and just commit to every shot.. He finished his round Thursday as though he'd love to see it on there again, closing with four straight. His start was less than ideal in the best of the weather. VALLARTA, Mexico -- Austin Smotherman already has his name on the Mexico Open trophy. "Just the reception, winning an event like that, the Mexico Open, which has such a deep history. I mean, still get a little bit of some goosebumps thinking about it, Smotherman said. He finished his round Thursday as though he'd love to see it on there again, closing with four straight. That included an eagle on the par-4 15th when he holed out from 141 yards. Goya played bogey-free and finished with a birdie from left of the green on the par-5 18th. I don't think I need to get ahead of myself. Austin Smotherman is an American professional golfer. Copyright 2023 PGA TOUR, Inc. All rights reserved. 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. Van Rooyen, who shot a 7-under 64 and sits just one shot back of the lead held by Austin Smotherman, was attacked by a swarm of bees on the 10th hole. "Just the reception, winning an event like that, the Mexico Open, which has such a deep history. Its funny, but certainly dont want to get stung by those bad boys.. 14 before holing out from 137 yards for an eagle on the next hole. So I dropped down, then he sees them, he dropped down. So I dropped down, then he sees them, he dropped down. Please logout and login again. Its funny, but certainly dont want to get stung by those bad boys.. I mean, still get a little bit of some goosebumps thinking about it, Smotherman 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. "A swarm of bees was probably not something @FredVR_ and crew saw coming @MexicoOpenGolf pic.twitter.com/4RjzysQ5qx. I just told my caddie, Bees, bees, bees. And he looks at me like I'm crazy, van Rooyen said. To his credit, van Rooyen (who is not allergic, he said with a smile) made par on the hole. The last time was on his final hole, the par-3 ninth, and he chipped in for his eighth birdie of the round. Bees! Before long, Chez Reavie and Francesco Molinari and the caddies hit the turf to avoid a swarm of bees. The Korn Ferry trademark is also a registered trademark, and is used in the Korn Ferry Tour logo with permission. Even so, the Mexico Open dates to 1944. Smotherman played bogey-free at Vidanta Vallarta. He finished with a 25-foot birdie putt, his third birdie putt of 15 feet or longer. Masters champion Jon Rahm, who won the Mexico Open at Vidanta for his only PGA Tour title a year ago, had five birdies on his last 11 holes to overcome a sluggish start for a 67. Born in 1994, Smotherman turned professional in 2016 and started playing on the PGA Latino America Tour and Korn Ferry Tour. Its funny, but certainly dont want to get stung by those bad boys.. Smotherman is winless on the PGA Tour. He also had a pair of birdies on the pars 5 on the back nine. Masters . VALLARTA, Mexico (AP) Austin Smotherman already has his name on the Mexico Open trophy. Michael Gligic of Burlington, Ont., finished with a 74. 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. He finished with a 25-foot birdie putt, his third birdie putt of 15 feet or longer. I mean, still get a little bit of some goosebumps thinking about it, Smotherman said. The last time was on his final hole, the par-3 ninth, and he chipped in for his eighth birdie of the round. Masters champion Jon Rahm, who won the Mexico Open at Vidanta for his only PGA Tour title a year ago, had five birdies on his last 11 holes to overcome a sluggish start for a 67. "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.". He missed only three greens on a gorgeous morning. Be the first one to comment on this story. Before long, Reavie and Molinari and the caddies hit the turf to avoid the swarm. March 23, 2023 4:45 pm ET. VALLARTA, Mexico (AP) -- Austin Smotherman already has his name on the Mexico Open trophy. Those first 13 holes we had virtually no wind, about as easy conditions as it can get. Austin Smotherman parents The funny moment seem to spur van Rooyen, who played his final five holes in 4 under and sits one shot back of leader Austin Smotherman after a 7-under 64. Van Rooyen also had a big finish, playing his final five holes in 4 under. He followed the plan perfectly. I just told my caddie, Bees, bees, bees. And he looks at me like I'm crazy, van Rooyen said. News, Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player. He finished his round Thursday as though he'd love to see it on there again, closing with. 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 26-year-old, one of seven players from Mexico playing in Puerto Vallarta at Vidanta Vallarta this week, was born in Mexico City and played collegiately at Jacksonville University. 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. Its just like any other sanctioned tour event for me. Pereda missed a 4-foot birdie putt on the par-5 18th but had no complaints about his first time playing on the PGA Tour. Consider a small monthly contribution to support your local journalists. Frankie and Chez, they look at me like Im nuts and then 30 seconds later the bees just went right at them. That included an eagle on the par-4 15th when he holed out from 141 yards. Terms of Use His name is on the trophy with Ben Crenshaw, Billy Casper, Lee Trevino, Bobby Locke and Roberto De Vicenzo. Overall, he holed eight birdies on Day 1. That included an eagle on the par-4 15th when he holed out from 141 yards. The last time was on his final hole, the par-3 ninth, and he chipped in for his eighth birdie of the round. Last Updated: 28/04/23 7:47am. 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. Standing over the shot with a 4-iron, the South African backed off and said, Bees! The last time he did so was on his final hole, the par-three ninth, where he ultimately chipped in for his eighth birdie of the round. Frankie and Chez, they look at me like Im nuts and then 30 seconds later the bees just went right at them. He won the 2021 Simmons Bank Open. Austin Smotherman dn u ti Mexico Open 2023 Austin Smotherman lm cho mi th trng tht d dng, trong 18 h u tin anh ghi tng cng 8 birdie.