South Africa’s Erik van Rooyen shot an eagle on his way to a score of 64 to move into second place behind Austin Smotherman after the opening round of the Mexico Open at Vidanta Vallarta on Thursday.

Van Rooyen’s round was highlighted by an eagle at the par-four 15th hole. He collected six birdies and one bogey in his round and sits tie in second place with Argentina’s Tano Goya.

Smotherman shot a bogey-free eight-under 63 to lead, being well acquainted with the tournament. The American won this event in Tijuana in 2018, when it was part of PGA Tour Latinoamerica.

On Thursday, he started on the back nine and put together birdie runs on the 12th,13th and 14th holes and then from holes six to nine, as well as a birdie on par-four third at the par-71 Vidanta Vallarta.

Tied for fourth at six under are Mexico’s Raul Pereda, Germany’s Stephan Jaeger, Canada’s Taylor Pendrith, and Eric Cole and Tony Finau, who is 16th in the world rankings.

Defending champion Jon Rahm, the No. 1 player in the world, is tied with 16 others in 14th place at four under. He started on the back nine, where he carded two bogeys and two birdies, before a bogey-free front nine with four birdies.

“It’s a good score, I’m happy with the score,” Rahm said of his 67. “Those first 13 holes we had virtually no wind, about as easy conditions as it can get. I wish I would have taken advantage of it more. I did make some good swings early on, I just couldn’t quite get the number and judge some lies off the fairway, but that’s just things that happen.”

Rahm, who has four wins in 10 starts in 2023, is seeking to become the first player to win five times in a season since Justin Thomas in 2016-17.

Photo by EPA/ATIENZA