Arpichaya Yubol turned in a clean, bogey-free 6-under 66 at El Camaleon Golf Course at Mayakoba on Saturday, catapulting into solo second place with one round remaining at the Riviera Maya Open at Mayakoba.

The 23-year-old sits at 11-under 205, three shots behind leader Rolex Ranking Women’s World Golf No. 1 Nelly Korda with 18 holes remaining at the second-year LPGA Tour event.

The Thai native who has made two cuts in four starts this season was methodical and precise throughout the round, playing steady golf against the coastal winds that define the Yucatan Peninsula layout. She opened on the front nine, picking up birdies at the par-3 4th, the par-5 7th and the par-3 8th to turn in 33.

“Mexico is kind of windy because Cancun is kind of island, so just make sure your ball is on the fairway every hole as I can do,” Yubol said. “I just play like on the big game, like kind of keep the ball on the green and try to make easy putt and sometime[s] you can make birdie. That’s my game plan this week.”

She carried that same patience into the back nine, adding birdies at the par-4 12th, the par-4 17th and the par-5 18th to close in 33 and post a matching 66, her lowest round of the week.

Part of what fueled Yubol’s energy was her playing partner, fan favorite Gaby Lopez, who drew a large and enthusiastic following.

“I’m really excited because I’m play[ing] with Gaby, so that’s kind of [nice to] have a big fan and big crowd and her family and everyone here,” Yubol said. “It’s [been a] long time to have a big crowd like this follow on my group. It’s fun.”

Sunday brings a different kind of excitement; Yubol will be paired with Korda for the first time in her LPGA career, on her 24th birthday.

“It’s like my dream,” Yubol said. “I never play with her before. Like… Nelly Korda, Lydia Ko, they both kind of like my idol, because they play very good. And if I have to play with her tomorrow, it’s just like my dream come true.”

Adding to the personal significance, Yubol’s father is carrying her bag this week, a detail she doesn’t take lightly.

“I can see his face. He is really happy and excited, too, so this is the best position right now for us,” Yubol said. “He’s getting old now. He says probably maybe this is last like time caddie if he tired. So, I remind myself all the time you have to focus on your game and then everything happens [as it] happen.”

Yubol finished tied for ninth at this event in 2025 in its inaugural year. Yubol tees off with Korda and Minami Katsu Sunday at 8:57 a.m. (EST) for the final round at El Camaleon Golf Course at Mayakoba.

Arpichaya Yubol Posts Bogey-Free 66 to Climb Into Contention in Mexico

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