Erik van Rooyen rides front-nine 29 to lead at Mexico Open

Feb 10, 2024; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; Erik van Rooyen eyes a putt on the 16th hole during the 2024 Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale. / Joe Rondone-USA TODAY Sports/File Photo

Erik van Rooyen shot an 8-under-par 63 to take the first-round lead at the Mexico Open at Vidanta on Thursday in Vallarta, Mexico.

Scorching the front nine with an eagle on the par-5 sixth hole and birdies on Nos. 3, 4, 7 and 9, van Rooyen went out in 29. The South African mixed in an eagle, a birdie and a bogey with his six pars on the back nine.