Karl Vilips shot a 9-under 62 on Thursday to take a one-stroke lead after the first round of the Mexico Open in Vallarta, Mexico.
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Karl Vilips took the first-round lead at the Mexico Open on Thursday, firing a 9-under 62 on the Vidanta Vallarta layout.
Vilips made five straight birdies on Nos. 11-15 on his opening nine, then added another birdie and a bogey before closing with four consecutive birdies to finish one stroke ahead of Kensai Hirata.
Speaking after his round, the 25-year-old Australian said, “Had it on a string for the first nine,” and added that he “got a little loose in the middle” before “got it back on course toward the end of the round.” He also noted, “It was lift, clean and place today so being in the fairway was a must for me and I took advantage of those drives that I hit.”
Hirata of Japan was at 63, while Ben Griffin was on 64 along with Marco Penge, Garrick Higgo and Jeffrey Kang. Alvaro Ortiz of Mexico opened with a 65, and said, “Bogey-free, played really solid. I felt like I was just flowing the whole day. Gave myself a lot of chances. I think I did very well from tee to green, which makes it very nice on this golf course.”
Mackenzie Hughes of Dundas, Ont., and Sudarshan Yellamaraju of Mississauga, Ont., were among those at 65, as was Ben Silverman of Thornhill, Ont. Corey Conners of Listowel, Ont., shot 68, while A.J. Ewart of Coquitlam, B.C., had a 70. Taylor Pendrith of Richmond Hill, Ont., and Adam Hadwin of Abbotsford, B.C., each posted 71, and Adam Svensson of Surrey, B.C., carded a 75.
The tournament in Vallarta was followed next week by the World Wide Technology Championship at El Cardonal at Diamante in Los Cabos. Defending champion Brian Campbell shot 67, Tom Kim also had 67, U.S. Open champion Wyndham Clark recorded 69, and John Daly II, playing on a sponsor exemption, opened with a 70.
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