The Pressure of Being Mexico’s Sole Representative
Playing at home with high expectations from sponsors, event organizers, and fans is a challenge for María Fassi, the only Mexican among eight players in the LPGA Tour’s Mayakoba event.
Background on María Fassi
María Fassi, a 27-year-old golfer from Hidalgo, turned professional in 2019. She has earned over $1.2 million in her career, with notable achievements including participating in the LPGA Tour Mayakoba, the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, and the 2024 Paris Olympics. Fassi also competed in the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto.
LPGA Tour Mayakoba 2025: Fassi’s Debut in Mexico
The LPGA Tour Mayakoba marks Fassi’s return to Mexico as a professional golfer, six years after her debut on the tour. The five-year contract between the LPGA Tour and Mexico aims to strengthen golf in the country, with current sponsors including Banamex, Mayakoba México, XUNTAS, Riviera Maya, El Camaleón Mayakoba, Club Car, Maestro Dobel Tequila, and National Car Rental.
Fassi’s Performance in Mayakoba LPGA Tour
Third Round (Saturday): Fassi completed the round with a score of 71 (-1), totaling 142 (+2) and improving her performance from the previous rounds.
Second Round (Friday): Fassi finished with a score of 72, matching the course’s par, and had a cumulative +3.
- [Gaby López, the only Mexican with an LPGA card, did not make the cut with a score of 73 (+1) and a total of +8. The other Mexican players also failed to make the cut.]
- Andrea Ostos from Chihuahua signed a score of 79 (+7) for a total of +13 (T124).
- Clarisa Temelo concluded with 81 strokes (+9) and a total of +16 (132).
- Isabella Fierro finished with 74 strokes (+2) for a total of +10 (T114).
- Fernanda Lira ended her round with 76 strokes (+4) for a total of +8 (T97).
- María Balcázar finished with 80 (+8) and a total of +12 (T119).
- Carolina Rotzinger signed a score of 78 (+6) for a total of +25 (135).
First Round (Thursday): Fassi finished above the course’s par, scoring 75 (+3). Despite a promising start with two bogeys and two pars, she had a double bogey and a simple bogey to close the first part of the course, eventually placing T63.
Key Questions and Answers
- How difficult is it to meet the expectations of sponsors and organizers when you’re the only Mexican (of eight) to make it to the final day of the LPGA Tour in Mayakoba?
Fassi explained to El Economista, “We wanted to do well since it was the first tournament and with eight Mexican players competing, but it didn’t go as planned. I also had to play on the weekend, and I’m not in the position I’d like to be. However, if you ask any of us eight, I believe we’re extremely proud and grateful to the Santoscoy family for bringing the tournament to Mexico, making the country believe in Mexican golf, and ensuring LPGA is here for a long time.” - What challenges does María Fassi face with numerous sponsors backing her?
Fassi has at least ten sponsors, including AT&T and RSM. She mentioned that visualizing success on the course has been crucial, as she’s played this course multiple times and imagined her family cheering her on.
María Fassi’s Sponsors and Alliances
- FASSI@TGolf4HerStephens (since 2019) – Financial services agreement
- RSM – Procter & Gamble
- Taylor Made
- Rolex
- Nike
- DOWTzutzusport
- *Fundación María Fassi (https://www.fassisfriends.com/)
LPGA Tour Mayakoba 2025 Sponsors
- Banamex – Three-year contract (2025-2027)
- Mayakoba México
- México Riviera Maya Open
- XUNTAS
- Riviera Maya
- El Camaleón Mayakoba
- Club Car
- Maestro Dobel Tequila
- National Car Rental
