Mayakoba, Quintana Roo, May 21, 2025.- Mexican golfer Clarisa Temelo is one of the young faces of Mexican golf, who will be participating with an exemption card in the MEXICO Riviera Maya Open at Mayakoba, which begins this Thursday at the El Camaleón course in Quintana Roo, in the return of the LPGA Tour to Aztec territory.
“I’m very excited to be able to play in Mexico. I love to play representing my country and being able to play at home is very special for me. Although physically I’m a little tired, mentally I’m very happy to be here. I want to make the most of this opportunity,” said the 18-year-old Queretaro player in her presentation to the press.
The University of Arkansas student said that in preparation for this event, the most important of her career, she spent the previous weeks playing in the NCAA Nationals, where a couple of weeks ago she took second place in the NCAA Columbus Regional Women’s Events. “Last week I was also in Arkansas, we played six straight days, including the practice round, so I’m a little tired. I was also practicing with my coaches and with my teammates. Since there’s rest today I’m going to walk the course, because I haven’t played here in a long time.”
Clarisa said she is very excited that there is an LPGA event in Mexico, which means that golf in Mexico is growing and the potential that Mexican players have. She assured that among all the national players there is a great union on and off the course.
“As Mexicans, we always try to support each other. Personally, I am very happy when I see that another Mexican is doing well and I feel that this is something we all share. When I was given the invitation, many congratulated me and when they gave the invitation to the others, I was also happy, I feel that we all want to do well together to see golf grow in Mexico”.
With four victories in her career at amateur level, where she is currently ranked 55th in the WAGR world ranking, Clarisa, assured that she will seek to enjoy the event without putting pressure on herself with high expectations. “The truth is that I never like to set goals like scores or anything, because I just want to go out there, enjoy it, finish the rounds and say I gave it my all. As long as I get out there and say I’m happy with my effort, that’s enough.”
“This is a great opportunity to be eight Mexicans in the field, it has never been seen before. I feel that this also gives a lot of impetus to my generation and those below me. To say that there is an LPGA tournament in Mexico, that we can have the opportunity to participate and get an idea of what an event of this nature is. This is a great boost for golf in Mexico, and it inspires me a lot,” said Temelo, who acknowledged Lorena Ochoa’s undoubted influence in making this happen and in her sporting career.
At the end of last year in Lima, Peru, Clarisa Temelo made history by becoming the first Mexican to win the Women’s Amateur Latin America (WALA), a championship organized by The R&A and the ANNIKA Foundation.
