Austin Smotherman leads in Mexico, Martin Trainer is 81st

A faultless run is Austin Smotherman’s performance on Mexican soil. Author of 8 birdies, the former winner of the 2018 Mexico Open takes the provisional lead of the tournament at -8 and creates a surprise at the end of this first round. The American tied the course record with his returned card of 63 (-8): “I still get a little goosebumps thinking about it. The welcome, the fact of winning an event like that, the Mexico Open, which has such a deep history, are all reasons to rejoice. There are names on this trophy that are in the Hall of Fame. A national open, anywhere, is very special. »

A shot behind, at -7, the leader is followed by the Argentinian Tano Goya who, like the American, did not make any bogey with a total of 7 birdies. He is alongside South African Erik van Rooyen, who scored an eagle on hole 15, 6 birdies and a bogey. The latter had a few adventures at hole n°10, attacked by bees: “I said to my caddy: “Bees, bees, bees”. He looked at me like I was crazyracont van Rooyen. So I lowered my head, then he saw them and lowered his head. It’s funny, but it’s important not to get bitten by these critters. »

In 4th position at -6, we can count the world No. 16, Tony Finau accompanied by the German Stephan Jaeger, the American Eric Cole, the Canadian Taylor Pendrith and the Mexican Raul Pereda. In 9th position, there are only Americans with Scott Harrington, Richy Werenski, Austin Cook, Sean O’hair and Brandon Wu at -5.

Martin Trainer is behind in 81st position

Defending champion Jon Rahm is not far from the top 10 in 14th position at -4. The world No. 1 made 6 birdies and 2 bogeys on the Vidanta course: “On the first 13 holes, there was hardly any wind, conditions as easy as possible. I would have liked to enjoy it more. I’m happy to have played as well as I did on the last nine holes and to have putted on the last hole. »

Martin Trainer, the only Frenchman engaged in Mexico, is in par, author of an eagle on hole n°6, 2 birdies and 4 bogeys. He is in 81st position on the leaderboard.