After an absence of nearly a decade, Mexico is set to see a return of women’s professional golf. The LPGA Tour is in Mexico this week for the inaugural edition of the MEXICO Riviera Maya Open at Mayakoba. Just a week before the second major championship of the year, the US Women’s Open, the 144-player field with a $2.5 million purse will offer fans an opportunity to witness world-class women’s golf in a stunning tropical setting.

The El Camaleón golf course at Mayakoba will host the inaugural event from May 22-25, featuring notable players like Gaby Lopez and Maria Fassi. Four players from the top 25 Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings, including Charley Hullwill be playing. Along with notable names, the field will feature 16 LPGA Tour rookies, including Clarisa Temelo, an 18-year-old amateur, who has received an invitation to be a part of the inaugural edition of the MEXICO Riviera Maya Open at Mayakoba. Ranked 63rd in WAGR, she has achieved four victories in her career and is a talent worth watching.

Streaming options for the 2025 Riviera Maya Open

The first round kicks off on Thursday, the 22nd, at 6:30 am, with Golf Channel and NBC digital streaming the coverage for a short duration. While Golf Channel will continue to stream the event until Saturday, CBS and NBC digital will take over for the final-round coverage.

The detailed coverage schedule is as follows:

Fans can watch the event in person, with ticket access available on the LPGA Tour website and the official site of the Riviera Maya Open. Access to the public will open at 7:00 am with hospitality venues and a fan zone available from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm for the attendees. There will also be an extra attraction for attendees on site, with the pop band BACILOS performing on Saturday, the 24th.

With this event, we can see that Mexico is trying to fuel the growth of golf in the country, as well as elevate its profile as a golf tourism destination. Mexico’s representation, not just in the of players but also hosting events on the LPGA, PGA Tour and LIV Golf, is promoting diversity in the sport.

 LPGA’s comeback in Mexico after Lorena Ochoa Invitational

The key presenter for the Riviera Maya Open, along with Gaby Lopez, was Lorena Ochoa, a two-time major champion and LPGA and World Golf Hall of Fame member. To honor a national sporting icon and the rise of women’s golf in Mexico, the Lorena Ochoa Invitational was hosted on the LPGA Tour from 2008 to 2017. The event, originally a small, elite competition with 36 notable players, expanded to a 64-player match play format in its final year before its discontinuation. Players like Michelle Wie and Inbee Park are a few notable names who have claimed titles in this tournament. 

While the tournament was discontinued in 2017, it significantly boosted the visibility of women’s golf in Mexico and Latin America. Eight years later, its legacy set the stage for events like the 2025 Riviera Maya Open, marking LPGA’s return to Mexico, reflecting a renewed investment and interest in the sport in Mexico.