Vilips takes first-round lead at Mexico Open

Karl Vilips shot a nine-under 62 on Thursday at Vidanta Vallarta to take the first-round lead at the Mexico Open. The 25-year-old Australian used two separate birdie streaks, including five consecutive birdies on his opening nine and four in a row to finish. Kensai Hirata sits one stroke behind Vilips, while Marco Penge, Ben Griffin, Garrick Higgo, and Jeffrey Kang are two back after carding 64s.

Vilips is competing to improve his position from 141st in the FedEx Cup Fall standings, with players battling to reach the top 100 to secure tour cards. Defending champion Brian Campbell and Tom Kim opened with rounds of 67, while US Open champion Wyndham Clark, the only top-10 golfer in the field, finished with a 69.