Here’s why the Mexico Open provides a great opportunity for the PGA Tour’s rookies

Starts are harder than ever to come by on the PGA Tour, and that’s why this week’s Mexico Open at VidantaWorld is so important to the 2025 rookie class.

There are 32 golfers who are in their first season on the PGA Tour this year, and every single one of them is in the field this week at Vidanta Vallarta. That means nearly 25 percent of the field in Mexico is comprised of Tour rookies. It’s the first time every rookie has played in an event together this season.

Many fans may look at weeks like this, realize there are only two major champions in the field and two golfers in the top 40 of the Official World Golf Ranking, and not tune in. It should be the opposite because of everything that’s on the line for those who are showing up, including this year’s crop of rookies.

That makes this week a prime opportunity for someone to have a life-changing victory, as Jake Knapp accomplished last year. A couple rookies are off to great starts to making that dream become reality.

After the morning wave, Jeremy Paul is tied for the lead after a stellar par save following a penalty on the closing par-5 18th. He shot 7-under 64 and is co-leading with Harry Hall, who won for the first time on Tour last year in a five-man playoff. Isaiah Salinda is a fellow rookie in Mexico who opened in 6-under 65 with nine birdies, and he’s T-3.

“There’s some holes that are gettable out here and there’s on the other hand a lot of holes that are very long par 4s and you’re trying to make par,” Paul said. “So you really want to take advantage of the opportunities that you have here because there’s a lot of holes where par’s a good score as well, so I was happy to capitalize on my chances on the front nine.”

There’s an elevated push each week for players to perform well, as the number of golfers who keep their Tour cards drops from 125 to 100 after the season.

With a win comes not only a big paycheck but job security. From a winner’s exemption to spots in the signature events, the rewards are endless for young players who find a way to win in this era of the PGA Tour.

Fellow rookies near the top of the leaderboard include William Mouw (T-6) and Danny Walker (T-13), who both earned their Tour card via the Korn Ferry Tour in 2024.

Even for those who aren’t rookies, this week provides an avenue into some big events coming during the Florida Swing. Last year, Knapp wasn’t in the field at the Arnold Palmer Invitational or the Players Championship, and his win got him into both.

Alejandro Tosti is another player who is tied for third a shot back of the leaders. Last year, Tosti finished runner-up at the Houston Open, his best finish on Tour. After that, his best finish the rest of the year was T-9 at the Shriners Children’s Open.

In fact, Tosti lost his card but earned it back at Q-School. He knows how important and life-changing the difference between first and second can be. That doesn’t make it easy to stay in the moment.

“Controlling my emotions and staying in the present is going to be key for me,” Tosti said after his opening 65. “I can see myself, a guy that can go forward very easy and bring myself back to the present is going to be the key for the next couple days.”

This article originally appeared on Golfweek: PGA Tour rookies capitalizing on start at Mexico Open 2025