LPGA Returns to the Riviera Maya: Mayakoba Set to Host 2nd Edition of Mexico Riviera Maya Open

Article originally featured on Excelsior.

With a $2.5 million purse and a world-class field, El Camaleón prepares for another historic week of elite women’s golf.

By: Sebastián Díaz de León December 9, 2025

PLAYA DEL CARMEN, Mexico – Mayakoba is once again preparing to welcome the elite of women’s professional golf with the official announcement of the second edition of the Mexico Riviera Maya Open at Mayakoba. This premier LPGA Tour event will take place from April 27 to May 3 at the iconic El Camaleón golf course.

The announcement featured legendary figures of Mexican golf: Lorena Ochoa, a 27-time LPGA winner and Hall of Famer, and Gaby López, a three-time tour champion and current star. Both emphasized Mexico’s growing prominence as a world-class destination for international sporting events.

Tournament Director Gustavo Santoscoy García noted that this second edition is poised to elevate the level of competition even further. “We will be announcing the full roster in the coming days, but I can confirm we are expecting an even more powerful field. Our goal is to bring the very best in the world to Mayakoba,” Santoscoy García stated.

The tournament will feature a field of 144 golfers competing for a $2.5 million purse, solidifying its status as one of the most attractive stops on the LPGA circuit. In its 2024 debut, the event posted impressive numbers: more than 7,000 fans attended the tournament, and the television broadcast reached 2.3 million viewers—figures organizers expect to surpass this year.

Defending Champion and International Power

Japan’s Chisato Iwai will return as the defending champion. Iwai captured the inaugural title with a spectacular final-round 66 (-6), securing a commanding six-stroke victory over American Jenny Bae in a dominant performance at El Camaleón.

Local Heroes: Mexico’s Star Power

The home crowd will have plenty to cheer for as three Mexican stars lead the field:

  • Gaby López, Mexico’s premier LPGA veteran.

  • Clarissa Témelo, competing via sponsor invitation.

  • María Fassi, a fan favorite and national standout, also joining via invitation.

For López, playing on home soil remains an emotional experience. “It sparks so many emotions—adrenaline, nerves, and pressure. It’s natural when you want to represent Mexico at the highest level,” López said. “The LPGA players are thrilled to return; they find our country incredibly attractive and they feel right at home here. I’m excited to be back and to improve on last year’s performance.”

The Endorsement of a Legend

Lorena Ochoa’s presence added a prestigious touch to the presentation. The former World No. 1 highlighted the significance of the tournament for the development of golf in Mexico.

“It’s wonderful to see Gaby take on the role of host, welcoming these tournaments as a player just as I once did,” Ochoa remarked. “El Camaleón is one of the most challenging courses of the year, and I am certain this edition will be even more successful than the last.”

With a demanding course, a field destined to be one of the strongest of the season, and an increasingly engaged fan base, the Mexico Riviera Maya Open at Mayakoba is firmly established as the flagship event for women’s golf in Latin America. Everything is set for a historic week at El Camaleón.

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