2023 Mexico Open at Vidanta: Top 10 Power Rankings

A long golf course like Vidanta Vallarta plays to Tony Finau’s strengths. We saw it last year when he posted 71-68-66-63 to get in contention where he finished in T-2nd and one shot behind Jon Rahm.

Finau used phenomenal ball striking as he often does. He led the field with 3.69 strokes gained tee to green. He also was second with 2.04 SG on approach, per Data Golf.

The big guy from Utah comes in playing solid, though not spectacular, golf. Finau last teed it up a couple weeks ago at the RBC Heritage where he took T-31st. It was his 12th straight finish of 31st or better, but he’s without a top-10 his last seven times out.

I’m not too concerned about that result at the Heritage given how Harbour Town is an awful course fit.

Finau is already a winner this season last fall at the Cadence Bank Houston Open.

He’s first on the PGA Tour in strokes gained per round on approach (1.143) to help him sit fourth in total SG (1.936). On approaches from 175-200 yards, he’s 11th in proximity (31’0”).

Finau is having a good putting season by his standards at 44th in SG (.353).

Even if his driver isn’t accurate, Vidanta Vallarta doesn’t feature a lot of penal rough.

There are over 100 bunkers on property, though. Fortunately, Finau is 25th in sand saves (59.65%).

The winning score last year was 17-under, so a fair amount of birdies are needed. Finau ranks fifth in birdie or better percentage (37.31%).

I see Finau getting close to that number but with a similar fate playing out as he settles for runner-up once again at the Mexico Open at Vidanta.