Mexico Open Preview
The PGA Tour will be travelling countries for the next event, as players congregate in neighbouring country Mexico for the Mexico Open.
It was announced in January that there will be two events in Mexico for this season, and Vidanta Vallarta will play host for the next three years.
Abraham Ancer has committed to the event, and he’ll be looking to secure victory on home soil.
Course
Vidanta Vallarta measures 7,456 yards and boasts a par of 71, so it won’t be the longest course that the elite golfers will be tackling this year.
Designed by Greg Norman, the venue only opened its doors in 2015. Players won’t be asked tough questions off the tee, with large landing areas awaiting, but the greens can cause problems.
All 18 greens are protected by deep bunkers, which means precision with approaches will be the order of the day.
The course gently meanders down the Ameca River, and there are several outstandingly beautiful views of Sierra Madres offered throughout.
Field
Jon Rahm will be welcomed back to the fold, as the Spaniard makes his first start since The Masters.
Whilst he would have been desperate for a second major title, there’s only a few weeks before the PGA Championship – where he should contend.
Abraham Ancer will be a fan favourite during this tournament, and he’ll be looking to reward their loyalty with another PGA Tour victory.
It’s remarkable that the young Mexican has only one once on the PGA Tour, although there would be no better location than his home country for his second.
Carlos Ortiz will be another firm favourite across the week, and if he or Ancer can secure victory, there will be one long party in the surrounding area.
Gary Woodland, who has committed to multiple events this season, will travel over too. The American is winless since his U.S. Open triumph in 2019.
Patrick Reed is another major champion who is in the field, and he has good history of playing in Mexico – having won the World Golf Championships-Mexico Championship in 2020.
Reed did progress past the cut at Augusta, but his final outing of two-over contributed to a lacklustre week, where he carded six-over for all four rounds.
Graeme McDowell has been heavily present throughout the tour this year, and this week will be no exception with him scheduled to feature in Mexico.
The Northern Irishman looked like the unlikely contender during the previous Masters, but he faltered after his opening round.
Other notable members of the field include Daniel Berger, Cameron Champ, Kevin Na, Tony Finau and Englishman Aaron Rai.