Mexico Open at Vidanta: Selections, Round 1 Recap & Fines Issued

The Mexico Open at Vidanta is officially underway, and after an exciting first round, we’ve already seen some fireworks on the leaderboard. But before we dive into the action, let’s take a look at the selections—and the unfortunate fines that came with them.

Selections Recap

This week’s field saw a wide range of picks, from seasoned PGA Tour veterans to rising stars looking to make their mark. Here’s a full breakdown of who was selected:

League Picks for the Mexico Open

• Top-Ranked Selections: Aaron Rai (29), Akshay Bhatia (30), Stephan Jaeger (50)
• Trending Players: Patrick Rodgers (75), Taylor Moore (78), Michael Kim (80)
• Under-the-Radar Picks: Rasmus Hojgaard (43), Frankie Capan (137), Fred Biondi (683)
• Wildcard Picks: Aldrich Potgieter (198), Carson Young (151), Luke List (134)

Round 1 Recap: Hot Starts & Slow Beginnings

The first round at Vidanta saw plenty of low scores as players took advantage of prime scoring conditions. Some league picks wasted no time climbing the leaderboard, while others have some work to do heading into Round 2.

Making Moves Early

• Harry Hall (-7, 64) – A scorching start puts him near the top of the leaderboard. Hall came out firing, carding a bogey-free round with seven birdies.
• Aldrich Potgieter (-6, 65) – One of the more intriguing picks this week, Potgieter capitalized on a strong ball-striking day to set himself up for a big week.
• Akshay Bhatia (-5, 66) & Stephan Jaeger (-5, 66) – Both players delivered solid rounds, positioning themselves well for a weekend run.

Steady Play

• Aaron Rai (-4, 67) – Rai continues to showcase his consistency, keeping himself well within striking distance.
• Jake Knapp (-4, 67) & Patrick Rodgers (-4, 67) – Both players turned in solid performances to stay inside the top 25.
• Michael Kim (-3, 68) & Hayden Springer (-3, 68) – Solid starts, but they’ll need to push lower in Round 2 to stay in contention.

Needing a Big Round 2

• Beau Hossler (E, 71) & Fred Biondi (E, 71) – Not the worst start, but they’ll need to go lower on Friday to ensure they’re playing the weekend.
• Carson Young (+3, 74) & Luke List (+2, 73) – A rough first round, but there’s still time to turn things around.

Fines Update: The Cost of No Picks

Unfortunately, four players failed to make a selection this week and were hit with fines.

• Brandon, Jim, and Pauli – Each received a $5 fine for not submitting their pick.
• Carson – Since he also failed to make a pick last week, his fine increased to $10 under the Sutton Fine Rule, which increases fines for consecutive missed picks.

No pick means no chance at prize money, and for those fined, it also means they receive the golfer who finishes in last place this week as their selection. A costly mistake, both in the fine fund and the season-long race for earnings.

Looking Ahead

With Round 1 in the books, the leaderboard is already shaping up to be a wild one. Can Harry Hall continue his hot start? Will the likes of Bhatia, Jaeger, and Potgieter keep the pressure on? And who will fight their way back from a slow start?

One thing’s for sure—the Mexico Open at Vidanta is just getting started. Buckle up for Round 2! ⛳🔥