Erik van Rooyen got off to a great start in his quest to capture a second PGA TOUR title in Mexico in the previous four months, making two eagles on Thursday en route to an 8-under 63 and a one-shot lead in the Mexico Open at Vidanta.
At Vidanta Vallarta, Van Rooyen first pitched in for a second eagle on the 12th par-5 hole after hitting a 3-iron to 6 feet for an eagle on the sixth. His one error came on the fifteenth hole, when he missed the par putt after a straightforward chip ran seven feet past the pin.
Sami Valimaki, a Finnish player, shot 64 to become one of the ten DP World Tour players to receive PGA TOUR cards this year. On the sixth par-5, he shot a fairway metal into the hazard to save par. On the seventh, a reachable par-4, he drove for an eagle to a distance of 12 feet, saving par.
Among those reaching 65 was Cristobal Del Solar of Chile, who two weeks prior had established the record for the Korn Ferry Tour with a 57 in the Bogota Championship.
Van Rooyen played college golf at Minnesota, was raised in South Africa, and is baffled as to why he has such a wonderful feel for the game in Mexico.
A week before the cancer-related death of his college friend, he sensationally triumphed in the World Wide Technology Championship held in November of last year in Cabo San Lucas. His first significant performance on a major stage came at the World Golf Championship-Mexico Championship in Mexico City four years ago. Playing in the last group, he finished in a tie for third.
Coastal courses and Mexico City’s altitude, however, are very different.
“When I went back to Chapultepec a few years ago, I grew up on Kikuyu grass, or bent grass greens, which was the WGC that was there. This is a tiny bit different. I’m not sure what it is, but it has to be the people, the cuisine, and a tonne of other stuff.” Van Rooyen said.
The time is unimportant. One of the Signature Events, the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, was accessible to Van Rooyen. Following the Mexico Open, the newly revamped Aon Swing 5 will be filled, with berths at Bay Hill awarded to the top five FedExCup point earners from both this event and the Cognizant Classic in the Palm Beaches.
It was more important to him how well he was swinging, especially with his irons. His approach on the sixth hole, which skipped off the fringe and rolled to six feet, provided the proof.
“I feel like I left a few out there, greedily. However, for a shot like that, my 3-iron into that par-5 was excellent. I do not intend to hit that flag six feet away. A fair exchange in golf, and I’m rather pleased with the round.” Van Rooyen said.
At the age of 65, David Lipsky, Henrik Norlander from Norway, and MJ Daffue from South Africa joined Del Solar. Denmark’s Thorbjørn Olesen, who was included in the group at 66, earned a special invitation to play in the Masters on Wednesday.
On the eighth par-4, his 17th hole of the round, the reigning champion Tony Finau drove into the water and made double bogey. He opened with a 69 and closed with a birdie.
The event takes place one week prior to the start of the Florida swing on the route to the Masters, and it comes after a hectic West Coast swing that included the AT&T Pebble Beach, WM Phoenix Open, and The Genesis Invitational.
An invitation to the Masters is extended to the champion. With Olesen and Ryo Hisatsune receiving special invitations, there are only eight players in the field who are already eligible.
Mexico’s Santiago De la Fuente got off to a 67 start. After winning the Latin America Amateur Championship last month, he is also going to the Masters.
