Before the PGA Tour heads to the Sunshine State for the Florida Swing, it’s south of the border for the Mexico Open at Vidanta in Vallarta.
Defending champion Tony Finau — coming off a top-20 finish at the Genesis Invitational — is hoping to make a run at back-to-back titles. Last year, Finau beat Jon Rahm by three shots.
Other players in the field include Nicolai Hojgaard, Emiliano Grillo, Keith Mitchell, Patrick Rodgers and Ryan Fox.
Will Zalatoris — runner-up at Riviera Country Club — withdrew from the field earlier this week. With an important stretch coming up, it’s no surprise to see this field lack a bit of star power.
Golf course
Vidanta Vallarta | Par 71 | 7,456 yards
Erik van Rooyen of South Africa lines up a putt during the pro-am prior to the Mexico Open at Vidanta at Vidanta Vallarta on April 26, 2023 in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco. (Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images)
Course history
Vidanta Vallarta – Course History for the #MexicoOpen
Includes finish position and Strokes Gained per round from both events here in 2022 and 2023.
-It is currently the least predictive (out of 44) annual course on Tour.
Past Winners/Odds
2023 – Tony Finau (-24) +800
2022 -… pic.twitter.com/DkYhTI9eJc— Ron Klos (@PGASplits101) February 19, 2024
Betting preview
Hideki Matsuyama of Japan poses for a photo with the trophy after winning the 2024 Genesis Invitational at Riviera Country Club. (Photo: Harry How/Getty Images)
Justin Thomas (16/1): MC
Ludvig Aberg (20/1): T-19
Cameron Young (30/1): T-16
Sahith Theegala (35/1): T-37
Normally I’d say it wasn’t a great week, but we cashed Hideki Matsuyama at 70/1 in our sleepers list. Gotta love hitting a big number like that. Let’s get another in Mexico.
| Player | Odds | Player | Odds |
| Tony Finau | (+750) | Erik van Rooyen | (+3500) |
| Nicolai Hojgaard | (+1600) | Davis Thompson | (+3500) |
| Stephan Jaeger | (+2200) | Jake Knapp | (+4000) |
| Keith Mitchell | (+2200) | Ryo Hisatsune | (+4500) |
| Thomas Detry | (+2500) | Doug Ghim | (+4500) |
| Taylor Pendrith | (+2500) | Brandon Wu | (+4500) |
| Emiliano Grillo | (+2500) | Mark Hubbard | (+5000) |
| Thorbjorn Olesen | (+3000) | Mackenzie Hughes | (+5000) |
| Ryan Fox | (+3500) | Cameron Champ | (+5000) |
| Patrick Rodgers | (+3500) | Aaron Rai | (+5000) |
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Jake Knapp of the United States looks on from the third green during the second round of the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale on February 09, 2024 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images)
This will be Knapp’s first start at the Mexico Open, but his game should set up perfectly with Vidanta Vallarta.
This golf course rewards distance — Tony Finau defending champion, Cameron Champ back-to-back top 10s — and Knapp can move it.
As for recent appearances, Knapp finished T-3 at the Farmers Insurance Open — another course that rewards performance off the tee — and T-28 at the WM Phoenix Open.
Maverick McNealy watches his putt on the 14th green during round 2 of the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale. Mandatory Credit: Cheryl Evans-Arizona Republic
In a weaker field, this might be the perfect week for McNealy to earn his first Tour win.
McNealy made the cut at last year’s Mexico Open and is coming off a T-6 performance at the WM Phoenix Open.
At a low-scoring event, taking one of the best putters on the planet is never a bad idea.
S.H. Kim hits his tee shot on the third hole during the third round of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am golf tournament at Pebble Beach Golf Links. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Kim has played well over his last two starts, tying for 31st at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and for 28th at the WM Phoenix Open.
At last year’s Mexico Open, Kim finished T-24.
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