Kim SeYoung Returns to Her "Land of Promise" Mexico

Heading to the Mexico Riviera Maya Open
Fond Memories of Winning the 2017 Lorena Ochoa Invitational
Many Top-ranked Players Absent Ahead of Next Week's US Women's Open

Kim SeYoung heads to Mexico.

Starting on May 22 (local time), Kim will compete in the LPGA Tour Mexico Riviera Maya Open (total prize money: $2.5 million), held over four days at El Camaleon Golf Club (par 72, 6,583 yards) in Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico. This marks the first time in eight years that an LPGA Tour event is being held in Mexico, following the Lorena Ochoa Invitational, which took place from 2008 to 2017.

SeYoung Kim challenges for the championship at the Mexico Riviera Maya Open. Photo by AFP Yonhap News

The tournament venue, El Camaleon Golf Club, hosted PGA Tour events from 2007 to 2022 and was the site of LIV Golf tournaments in 2023 and 2024. The 7th hole fairway features a large bunker, which is a local sinkhole phenomenon known as a cenote, often referred to as a "cave bunker."

Kim SeYoung has a special connection with Mexico. She won the Lorena Ochoa Invitational in 2017. Drawing on these positive memories, she is aiming for another victory. Her best result this season was reaching the Round of 16 at a match play event in April. She is now challenging for her first win in four years and six months, since the Pelican Championship in November 2020.

Notably, many top-ranked players are absent from this year's Mexico tournament. With the season's second major, the US Women's Open, taking place next week, some athletes have chosen to skip the Mexico event to manage their condition.

In addition to Kim SeYoung, 15 Korean players will compete, including Choi Hyejin, Shin JiEun, Lee SoMi, Jeon InGee, Park SungHyun, Lee JeongEun, and Yoon YiNa. Among the world's top 20 ranked players, only Charley Hull (ranked 15th, England) and Takeda Rio (ranked 17th, Japan) will participate.