Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, April 28, 2026.– Clarisa Temelo is set to compete in her second Riviera Maya Open at Mayakoba. With last year’s experience under her belt, she knows that while there is always a desire to give extra when playing in front of a home crowd, enjoying the moment can lead to better results.
Having played at El Camaleón last year gives her a clearer idea of how to approach the course, although she admits it remains a challenge to fully figure out due to its demanding layout.
“I’m sure that for all of us [Mexican players], representing Mexico is a source of pride. And playing at home, of course you want to give that extra and perform well in front of your people, but in the end, I think it’s more important to enjoy it—and if we do that, better results can come,” she said.
Regarding course strategy, she explained: “Honestly, I’m still trying to figure it out… the fairways are narrow, so it’s very important to hit good tee shots and place them in the right spots. The greens are also small, so your drive really determines whether you’ll have a good chance to create scoring opportunities.”
Another factor Temelo expects to make a difference this year is arriving more rested. “Last year I was very tired—I was coming off a full college season, had just finished Nationals, flew back that same night, and the next day I was already here playing. I didn’t know the course at all. So I feel I have a bit of an advantage now compared to last year. I’ve had practice rounds, I know the holes better, and I’m not dealing with the physical fatigue I had before.”
Temelo recently competed in the Augusta National Women’s Amateur earlier this month, where she was invited as one of the top 30 amateur players in the world. Although she missed the cut, she arrives in Mayakoba with a positive mindset.
