Shin Ji-eun, Without a Sponsor, Shares Lead at 4-Under

Strong Start at Mexico Riviera Maya Open Round 1
Iwai and Two Others Share Lead; Choi Hyejin Tied for Fifth
Jeon Jiwon Tied for Tenth, Kim Seyoung Opens in 48th Place

Shin Ji-eun, who is currently without a sponsor, has laid the groundwork for victory in Mexico.

On May 22 (local time), at the El Camaleon Golf Club (par 72, 6,583 yards) in Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico, Shin carded a 4-under-par 68 in the first round of the LPGA Tour Mexico Riviera Maya Open (total prize money: $2.5 million), taking the top spot on the leaderboard. Three other players, including rookie Iwai Chisato from Japan, also joined this leading group.

Shin Ji-eun, who lost her sponsor, took the joint lead in the first round of the Mexico Riviera Maya Open. Photo by AFP Yonhap News

Until last year, Shin Ji-eun was sponsored by Hanwha Q Cells, but after the company withdrew its support, she now competes wearing an unbranded cap. She recorded seven birdies, one bogey, and one double bogey. After reducing her score by four strokes over 15 holes and building momentum, she stumbled with a double bogey on the 16th hole (par 4). However, she immediately recovered by making consecutive birdies on the 17th and 18th holes, regaining all the lost strokes. Tied for the lead by one stroke, she now has a chance to claim her second career victory since the 2016 Texas Shootout.

Among Korean players, Choi Hyejin finished in a tie for fifth place, one stroke behind the leaders, with a 3-under-par 69. Jeon Ji-won tied for 10th at 2-under-par 70, Lee Jeongeun5 tied for 18th at 1-under-par 71, and Lee Jeongeun6 completed the round tied for 25th at even-par 72. Kim Seyoung, who won the 2017 Lorena Ochoa Invitational held in Mexico, finished tied for 48th at 2-over-par 74.

This year, many top-ranked players did not participate in the Mexico tournament. Some players chose to skip this event in order to manage their condition, as the second major of the season, the US Women's Open, begins next week.