RIVIERA MAYA OPEN

April 28, 2026

Maria Fassi

El Camaleón Golf Course

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: All right, welcome to the media center at the 2026 Riviera Maya Open at Mayakoba. I'm joined by Maria Fassi. Going to answer a couple questions in English and open up to media for Spanish questions.

Back here in Mexico. Can we open up by talking about how important this event is to you?

MARIA FASSI: Yeah, I think for Mexican golf this is huge. I grew up watching the best in the world play when we had the tournaments in Mexico City, and it's the reason why I'm here today. It's what inspired me to play professional golf. I wanted to be just like Lorena Ochoa and, you know, all the amazing players that came to play.

We didn't have that for so long, and now that we're on or second year back after so many, we get to be that for so many of the girls and kids that come out and watch.

So I think it's a huge leap into the growth of the game, and obviously for me as a Mexican player it's just such an honor and I take a lot of pride in playing for Mexico in Mexico, getting to show some of the girls our beautiful country.

Q. There is nearly ten Mexican players in the field this week. What's it like to hear that and hear that number?

MARIA FASSI: Yeah, it's huge, especially with two of them coming from the Monday qualifier. They had to earn their way to be here, and I think it just continues to show that the game is there. That professional golf in Mexico continues to grow and that all the things that we're doing are working.

Obviously I think we have a long way to go, but I really like where we are right now as a country in terms of professional golf, and I think this tournament is only going to continue to push the limits and raise the ceiling for all those girls.

Q. There seems to be a theme of role models, Clarissa talked a little bit about it shortly ago; you just mentioned Lorena. What was it that you saw growing up that you wanted to emulate?

MARIA FASSI: I think for me, obviously what she did on the golf course speaks for itself, but just the person that she is, the human behind the golfer I think is what really drew me into just admiring her from a young age.

I still have obviously huge amounts of respect and admiration for the way she's handled her career, the things she's done to give back through her foundation, and the things she continues to do for us professional golfers.

And she always stays involved and in touch. She knows when you play good; she knows when you play bad. She's always there as a bouncing board for anything and everything.

So, yeah, we're extremely lucky to have somebody like her be Mexican and continue to inspire people after so many years of being retired. Yeah, we definitely have some very large shoes to fill.

Q. Lastly from me, can you talk a little bit about this golf course, what you really like about it and as well as how is your game feeling come into this week?

MARIA FASSI: It's a very difficult golf course. I think it's extremely challenging and demanding off the tee. Fairways are very, very narrow.

So I think it's just going to take, you know, a little extra attention on the tee, making sure that you're very committed to your lines. And obviously it gets windy out here is that just kind of adds to the level of difficulty.

But it's a beautiful place. It's in great shape. Obviously playing at home is a lot of fun. I know we're going to have good crowds. My family is here so on that side I'm just excited to tee it up on Thursday and have a great week.

You know, I think my game has been trending in a better direction than in the past. I feel a little more comfortable day after day. We've been doing a lot of good work with my team back home preparing for the season.

I just have to see a couple rounds put together, but the game feels good. Looking forward to an amazing week out here in Mexico.