Mayakoba Golf Classic: Expert Picks

Tournament Information

Mayakoba Golf Classic
Date: December 3^rd – 6^th
Course: El Camaleon Golf Club
Purse: $7.2MM ($1.6MM to winner)
2020 Winner: Brendan Todd (-20)

Course

El Camaleon Golf Club — Built in 2006 by Greg Norman, this 7,024 yard par 72 has a slope rating of 139 and a course rating of 74.8. The course takes you on a tour of sorts. It has dense tree filled areas, a beautiful view of the ocean and a bit of beach vibe along the way. It is a picturesque course that Norman designed to be adaptable to players with all abilities. The fairways are fairly generous but distance is a challenge. The bunkers can be long and deep so while it provides ample space to hit a fairway, the golfers need to keep it in play.

Photo by Darren Carroll/Getty Images

My Starting 4

Rickie Fowler (second selection this year) — Fowler was a top 20 finisher each of the last two years here. He’s only missed one cut this season but he has yet to crack the top 25 in any tournament. Hoping his strength on this course helps break that as he is comfortable with this course. His driving is going well but his approach shots have hurt him thus far.

Chez Reavie (second selection this year) — Reavie has been within the top 30 each of the last two years at El Camaleon. He started this season strong with a 3rd place finish at Safeway Open, he has missed two cuts since and has not landed back in the top 25. He is accurate (14th in driving accuracy) and working well with his irons (24th in strokes gained approaching the green). His putting is really holding him back.

Abraham Ancer (second selection this year) — Ancer has represented his home country well (born in Texas but raised in Reynosa, Mexico). He is one of two golfers to be in the top 15 each of the last two years at Mayakoba. He’s made the cut in every tournament this year and has top 15 finishes in two tournaments. He’s fairly strong in all parts of his game, accurate drives, good iron play and above average putting.

Brice Garnett (first selection this year) — A top 25 finisher the last two years, Garnett has two missed cuts to go with just one finish inside the top 25 this season. He is accurate (51st in driving accuracy) and putting excellent (29th in strokes gained putting) but his distance will hold him back here (225th in driving distance).

My Bench 2

Carlos Ortiz (first selection this year) — Another native here, Ortiz currently ranks 9th in FedEx ranking and he won at Vivint Houston a few weeks ago.

Emiliano Grillo (first selection this year) — Grillo has two finishes inside 30 here over the last two years. He has missed one cut in seven tournaments this season and he is 18th best on the tour in strokes gained approaching the green, he’s 6th on the tour in greens in regulation.

Fun Fact: This was the first PGA Tour event in Mexico this century.

2020-2021 Stats

Starting 4: avg finish 36^th (28^th percent)
Bench 2: avg finish 55^th (43^rd percent)