Nelly Korda brings two wins and three runner-up finishes into the Riviera Maya Open, where the LPGA field battles for a $2.5 million purse.
The LPGA Tour heads to Mexico this week for the Riviera Maya Open at Mayakoba, and the spotlight follows Nelly Korda.
After winning the Chevron Championship for her second victory of the season, Korda arrives at El Camaleon Golf Course with serious momentum.
She’s making her tournament debut, but her 2026 form already speaks loudly: two wins and three runner-up finishes in five starts. That’s dominance, and it makes her the clear headliner in a 125-player field competing for a $2.5 million purse.
Korda will play the opening rounds with Akie Iwai and Mexico’s Gaby Lopez. Iwai finished tied for 21st at the Chevron and tied for 16th at Mayakoba last year.
Lopez, playing in her home country, has also started strong in 2026 with a tie for fifth at the Fortinet Founders Cup and a tie for 12th at the Chevron.
Defending champion Chizzy Iwai is another name to watch. She won last year’s Riviera Maya Open by six shots for her first LPGA Tour victory, but she’s looking to rebound after missing the cut at the Chevron.
She’ll be grouped with Linn Grant and Carlota Ciganda, both of whom played well at Mayakoba in 2025.
Augusta National Women’s Amateur champion Maria Jose Marin also brings intrigue. The Arkansas standout received a sponsor exemption and will tee it up alongside Jennifer Song and Bianca Pagdanganan.
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Alexa Pano, Paula Reto and Celine Borge form another notable group as each tries to find traction early in the season.
Coverage begins Thursday and Friday on Golf Channel, with weekend coverage shifting between Golf Channel Digital, Golf Channel, CBS and Paramount+.
With Korda chasing another title and several players eyeing a breakthrough, Mayakoba should deliver plenty of storylines.
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