Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, April 29, 2026.– Nataliya Guseva says she is delighted to return to Mexico for her second consecutive appearance at the Riviera Maya Open at Mayakoba.
In addition to enjoying the local cuisine of the Riviera Maya, the world No. 110 in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings believes she is in a position to contend for her first professional title on the LPGA Tour.
“I feel like it would be amazing to win, because I always receive so much support in Mexico. So winning one of my first events here would be very rewarding. I’m not trying to think too much about winning or anything like that—of course those thoughts come, but it’s very important to focus on the process and let the victory come naturally. But that would definitely be the ultimate goal. I would be very happy and grateful,” said Guseva, who would become the first golfer from her country to win an LPGA Tour event if she achieves it.
Last year in Mayakoba, Guseva finished tied for 26th with a total of 288 (even par). While it wasn’t the result she had hoped for, she emphasized how much she learned from playing El Camaleón Golf Course.
“I would say the wind conditions here are obviously very strong. I think I’m quite a good player in windy conditions. So honestly, it was great to have seen the course last year, to know the greens and the layout. Today I played the front nine and already knew all the lines. I think I have a very good understanding now, and that will definitely help me this week. I’m really happy to apply all that knowledge over the next four rounds and hopefully show good results.”
The 23-year-old from Moscow joined the Epson Tour in 2022 and a year later became the first Russian player to earn an LPGA Tour card for the 2024 season. She added that coming to Mayakoba is always a pleasure because of how players are treated.
“Being here feels almost like a vacation. I said it last year as well. The weather, the nature, the food—great guacamole, great margaritas. I’m someone who really enjoys food in general, but I also loved all the nature here. Last week we played in Houston and it felt like a Major. But here I enjoy it so much that it feels more like a vacation mode.”
Guseva also noted that Mexico has taken an important step in promoting golf in Latin America and expressed her hope to see more events in the region.
“It would be great to show new generations that we’re growing the game, by playing in Mexico and hopefully in other Latin American countries as well.”
So far this season, Guseva has competed in seven events, making three cuts. She finished 50th at the Honda LPGA Thailand, 52nd at the HSBC Women’s World Championship in Singapore, and 24th at the JM Eagle Championship—her best result of the year.
She missed the cut at the Founders Cup presented by Fortinet, the Ford Championship presented by Wild Horse Pass in Arizona, the Aramco Championship, and most recently at the Chevron Championship—something she hopes to avoid this week in Mayakoba.
