Mayakoba Golf Classic: Top 10 power rankings at El Camaleon
The PGA Tour is on to a fifth country in the last five weeks as we find ourselves in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico, for the Mayakoba Golf Classic.
We’re getting down to the thin of things on the PGA Tour in 2018. Yes, it’s a 2018-19 wrap around schedule that’s only just begun, but the calendar New Year is still a good division line.
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There are just two full-field events remaining before we get to the silly season of Phil vs. Tiger, the highly-anticipated QBE Shootout (aka the Shark Shootout, aka the Franklin Templeton Shootout, aka…) and other diversions.
It’s already crunch time in a sense for Web.com Tour grads. They’re looking to make some hay before they have to wait until the Sony in January to get back out there.
This week the PGA Tour is at the Mayakoba Golf Classic. The event originated in 2007 and has been held each year El Camaleon.
El Camaleon is a 6,987-yard par 71 track that yields a lot of birdies.
Despite just three cracks per round at par-5’s, this event has annually produced a winning score of 13- to 21-under. That’s also with an alternate or weak field carving it up.
It’s rare to see a sub 7,000-yard course and it’s true to form in that it doesn’t favor a bigger hitter. Few, if any, of the 11 Mayakoba champions would be classified as a bomber.
It’ll be a wedge and putting fest, especially if possible rain in the forecast softens things up. I’ll look at proximity from 100-150 yards, strokes gained approach and putting as a few key stats. Course history is a good way to find some value plays, but if you’re looking for a winner it may be a bigger name making a rare appearance.
Most of the top European players are choosing either rest or the Race to Dubai Final Series, which makes this an American-heavy field.
It’s also awash with young pros oozing with talent. U.S. Amateur champ and Oklahoma State Cowboy, Viktor Hovland, is in the field as well as former UNLV star Shintaro Ban.
Twenty-one year old Joaquin Niemann is also present and is equipped with full status for 2018-19.
It’s not a top-heavy field, but there’s a lot of solid players throughout the 132 who will tee it up this week.
Some rain is in the forecast, so keep an eye out for any advantages to be had with tee times.
Let’s get down to it.