Here’s a look at some of the best photos from 2024 LIV Golf Mayakoba.
The first 36 holes of LIV Golf’s season-opener LIV Golf Mayakoba are in the books and Joaquin Niemann leads at 11 under (in large part to his opening 59 Friday).
Niemann made four birdies and three bogeys around El Camaleon Mayakoba Golf Course Saturday and was originally leading Dean Burmester and Jon Rahm, who is making his LIV debut this week, by four shots but he was assessed with a two-shot penalty after his round so he will start the final round at 11 under, two in front.
Sergio Garcia is alone in fourth at 7 under, six back, while Charles Howell III, Brooks Koepka and Patrick Reed are tied for fifth at 5 under.
On the team side, Torque GC leads the way at 15 under, with Legion XIII five back at 10 under.
The total purse is $20 million with the individual winner taking home $4 million and the winning team splitting $3 million.
Here’s a look at some of the best photos from 2024 LIV Golf Mayakoba.
“Myself more than anybody, just couldn’t be more excited for it.”
It wasn’t until three weeks ago it became official Caleb Surratt would join LIV Golf for the 2024 season.
The sophomore at Tennessee and reigning SEC individual champion had finished playing in the Jones Cup Invitational, which would be his final event as an amateur, though he didn’t know it then. He was spending time with his girlfriend when he received a call that would change his life.
He was joining LIV Golf and would be on the same team as Jon Rahm.
“It’s obviously been a whirlwind of events,” said Surratt, who was ranked 10th in the World Amateur Golf Ranking. “You go from moving out of your dorm room to competing with the best players in the world, and having two of them truly being your daily mentors on the golf course, it seemed like a big opportunity for me and my golf game, and of course everybody is going to be entitled to their opinion, but I have no doubt that this is what was best for me and my golf game and the future of my professional career.”
However, that doesn’t mean leaving Tennessee was easy for Surratt.
He was the best player on the Volunteers and a team leader. Last year, he became the first player in Tennessee history to earn first-team All-America honors. He was a member of the 2023 Walker Cup team and proven as one of the top amateurs in the world.
However, it wasn’t just Surratt who was making the decision.
“The conversations were a bit difficult,” he said. “I would say it was kind of tough to break the news because it’s a big change. I’m on a very highly competitive college golf team that I was the leader of, and to kind of have to step up and leave, it’s tough. One thing that I made very well a point was to not just break the news to them and say I’m leaving. It was more of including everybody that was close to me and on my team in my decision. It was a team decision. It was a group decision. It was not just Caleb Surratt saying what Caleb Surratt wants.”
When news dropped Tuesday of Surratt joining LIV Golf, Tennessee Golf’s social media accounts were one of the first to congratulate him on his move.
Surratt is not the first highly-ranked amateur to turn professional and join LIV Golf. David Puig and Eugenio Chacarra, the latter who won in LIV’s inaugural season, set the trail for top amateurs to join the breakaway circuit.
Come Friday, Surratt will tee it up at LIV Golf Mayakoba in Mexico on Rahm’s Legion XIII for his first professional start. Also on the team is Tyrrell Hatton, No. 16 in the world, and Kieran Vincent.
There have been plenty of changes in his life recently, but the foundations he built at Tennessee and before are guiding him in his newest chapter.
“I had all the support in the world from my teammates,” Surratt said. “I had all the support in the world from my coaches, and I think everybody sees how great of an opportunity this is, and myself more than anybody, just couldn’t be more excited for it.”
The course is famous for its picturesque setting along the Riviera Maya.
El Camaleon was the home to the first PGA Tour event in Latin America, and in 2024, LIV Golf will host its event at the Greg Norman-designed course for a second time.
The course is undergoing a renovation in preparation for the February 2024 event. The clubhouse, restaurants and a few of the holes have seen some major changes. El Camaleon opened in 2006, and these renovations are the first of its kind to improve the overall experience for the spectators, players and guests of the Mayakoba resort.
The clubhouse renovated the entry, locker rooms, pro shop and gathering place. The Koba Club House restaurant has taken on a brand new menu to accompany the new design.
The course, famous for its picturesque setting along the Riviera Maya, enlisted architects to make strategic changes to many of the holes. Some have enlarged tee boxes and there is changed elevation to fairways, greens and bunkers. The fourth hole, in particular, is getting a new island green, and No. 8 is getting new changes to the size and slope of its green.
Hole 15 of Maykoba’s El Camaleon. (Mayakoba)
These improvements come while maintaining the unique charm of El Camaleon. The redesign aims to strike a balance between preserving the course’s natural beauty and introducing new elements to push professional competition and amateurs in 2024.
Golfweek’s Averee Dovsek stopped by and took a closer look at the renovations.
There are four resorts that make up Mayakoba: Andaz, Banyan Tree, Fairmont and Rosewood. Upon arrival, guests are greeted with traditional juices, small gifts and accompanied by an inviting staff. The check-in experience is peaceful and no detail gets left behind.
Between beautifully designed villas and the ambiance of each resort, the 595-acre property is a dream. The transportation system makes it convenient to get to the beaches, rivers, restaurants, shops, cooking classes, golf course, kayaking adventures and more. You can travel around the resort by bike, boats or golf carts.
Each restaurant at the property has a unique concept and taste, serving fresh seafood to Thai food with a tasteful design. The dining experience can accommodate dietary restrictions and flavor preferences.
Mayakoba is immersed in the Mayan ecosystem, surrounded by the river, trees, birds and even spider monkeys, which will gladly greet you at the sight of an apple at your doorstep.
Everything you need to know for the final round in Mexico.
It’s time for the final round in Mexico.
El Camaleon Golf Course at Mayakoba has played host to the 2022 World Wide Technology Championship at Mayakoba in Riviera Maya, Mexico. The course is a par-71 layout measuring at 7,034 yards. Greg Norman was the architect, and Viktor Hovland is a two-time defending champion, but it looks as if someone else will hoist the trophy come Sunday.
From tee times to TV and streaming info, here’s what you need to know for the final round of the 2022 World Wide Technology Championship at Mayakoba. All times Eastern.
1st tee
Tee time
Players
7:15 a.m.
Rory Sabbatini, Francesco Molinari
7:25 a.m.
MJ Daffue, Danny Lee
7:35 a.m.
Emiliano Grillo, Brendon Todd
7:45 a.m.
Ben Griffin, Nick Taylor
7:55 a.m.
Lucas Glover, Ryan Moore
8:05 a.m.
Chris Kirk, Russell Knox
8:15 a.m.
Carson Young, Billy Horschel
8:25 a.m.
Hayden Buckley, Philip Knowles
8:35 a.m.
K.H. Lee, Beau Hossler
8:50 a.m.
Ryan Armour, Sebastian Munoz
9 a.m.
Dylan Frittelli, Andrew Putnam
9:10 a.m.
Robert Streb, Harris English
9:20 a.m.
Joseph Bramlett, Justin Lower
9:30 a.m.
Ben Taylor, Aaron Wise
9:40 a.m.
Scottie Scheffler, Matt Kuchar
9:50 a.m.
Nick Hardy, Jason Day
10 a.m.
Eric Cole, Austin Eckroat
10:10 a.m.
John Huh, Patrick Rodgers
10:25 a.m.
Alex Noren, Adam Hadwin
10:35 a.m.
Charley Hoffman, Danny Willett
10:45 a.m.
Austin Cook, Justin Suh
10:55 a.m.
David Lingmerth, Sam Ryder
11:05 a.m.
Davis Riley, Maverick McNealy
11:15 a.m.
J.J. Spaun, Collin Morikawa
11:25 a.m.
David Lipsky, Taylor Montgomery
11:35 a.m.
Lee Hodges, Henrik Norlander
11:50 a.m.
Martin Laird, Dean Burmester
12 p.m.
Scott Piercy, Harry Higgs
12:10 p.m.
Joel Dahmen, Brandon Wu
12:20 p.m.
Matthias Schwab, Greyson Sigg
12:30 p.m.
Thomas Detry, Viktor Hovland
12:40 p.m.
Troy Merritt, Brian Harman
12:50 p.m.
Patton Kizzire, Seamus Power
1 p.m.
Russell Henley, Will Gordon
How to watch
You can watch Golf Channel for free on fuboTV. All times Eastern.
We recommend interesting sports viewing and streaming opportunities. If you sign up to a service by clicking one of the links, we may earn a referral fee.
Greyson Sigg had a unique first ace on the PGA Tour experience Saturday at the World Wide Technology Championship at Mayakoba in Riviera Maya, Mexico.
Sigg, who struggled out of the gate with two bogeys on his first two holes on day three at El Cameleon Golf Course at Mayakoba, made birdie on three of his last six holes on the front nine to turn with a 1-under 35.
On the 200-yard par-3 10th, Sigg stepped to the tee having no idea what was about to happen.
And after the ball went in the hole, he still had no idea what happened. Neither did his caddie. Neither did his playing partner.
Everything you need to know for the third round in Mexico.
For the fourth time in as many weeks, the PGA Tour is in a new country.
El Camaleon Golf Course at Mayakoba hosts the 2022 World Wide Technology Championship at Mayakoba in Riviera Maya, Mexico. The course is a par-71 layout measuring at 7,017 yards. Greg Norman was the architect, and Viktor Hovland is a two-time defending champion.
Russell Henley holds a three-shot lead after 36 holes. He sits at 16 under with Sam Ryder trailing behind at 13 under along with first-round leader Will Gordon.
From tee times to TV and streaming info, here’s what you need to know for the third round of the 2022 World Wide Technology Championship at Mayakoba. All times Eastern.
1st tee
Tee time
Players
7:15 a.m.
Dean Burmester, Ben Taylor
7:25 a.m.
Dylan Frittelli, Eric Cole
7:35 a.m.
Philip Knowles, MC Daffue
7:45 a.m.
Lee Hodges, Chris Kirk
7:55 a.m.
Sebastian Munoz, Aaron Wise
8:05 a.m.
Russell Knox, Lucas Glover
8:15 a.m.
Danny Lee, Ryan Moore
8:25 a.m.
Ben Griffin, Joseph Bramlett
8:35 a.m.
Nick Taylor, K.H. Lee
8:50 a.m.
Austin Eckroat, Austin Cook
9 a.m.
Nick Hardy, Carson Young
9:10 a.m.
Andrew Putnam, Henrik Norlander
9:20 a.m.
Billy Horschel, Jason Day
9:30 a.m.
Justin Suh, Rory Sabbatini
9:40 a.m.
Scottie Scheffler, Beau Hossler
9:50 a.m.
Charley Hoffman, Emiliano Grillo
10 a.m.
Hayden Buckley, David Lipsky
10:10 a.m.
Danny Willett, Thomas Detry
10:25 a.m.
Ryan Armour, Alex Noren
10:35 a.m.
Adam Hadwin, Justin Lower
10:45 a.m.
Robert Streb, Seamus Power
10:55 a.m.
Taylor Montgomery, Joel Dahmen
11:05 a.m.
Brendon Todd, J.J. Spaun
11:15 a.m.
Viktor Hovland, John Huh
11:25 a.m.
Francesco Molinari, Collin Morikawa
11:35 a.m.
Brandon Wu, Davis Riley
11:50 a.m.
Harris English, Troy Merritt
12 p.m.
Patrick Rodgers, Matthias Schwab
12:10 p.m.
Greyson Sigg, Scott Piercy
12:20 p.m.
Maverick McNealy, Matt Kuchar
12:30 p.m.
Harry Higgs, Martin Laird
12:40 p.m.
David Lingmerth, Brian Harman
12:50 p.m.
Will Gordon, Patton Kizzire
1 p.m.
Russell Henley, Sam Ryder
How to watch
You can watch Golf Channel for free on fuboTV. All times Eastern.
We recommend interesting sports viewing and streaming opportunities. If you sign up to a service by clicking one of the links, we may earn a referral fee.
The World Wide Technology Championship at Mayakoba in Riviera Maya, Mexico, featured a handful of big name players in the field. Scottie Scheffler, Viktor Hovland, Collin Morikawa and Billy Horschel — all in the top 20 in the Official World Golf Ranking — lived up to their well deserved reputations by at least advancing to the weekend. Only Tony Finau, No. 14 in the world, didn’t get the job done.
He’s not the only notable name that isn’t moving on or will have a chance to make a run at the title. Here’s a closer look at some of the notables who failed to make the top 65 and ties and are heading home from the Yucatan Peninsula empty-handed.
Everything you need to know for the second round in Mexico.
For the fourth time in as many weeks, the PGA Tour is in a new country.
El Camaleon Golf Course at Mayakoba hosts the 2022 World Wide Technology Championship at Mayakoba in Riviera Maya, Mexico. The course is a par-71 layout measuring at 7,017 yards. Greg Norman was the architect, and Viktor Hovland is a two-time defending champion.
Scottie Scheffler and Hovland both fired opening-round 6-under 65s, however, they are three shots back of Will Gordon. Gordon fired a 9-under 62 on Thursday and is looking to build upon his good start to the season. He has made the cut in all four starts.
From tee times to TV and streaming info, here’s what you need to know for the second round of the 2022 World Wide Technology Championship at Mayakoba. All times Eastern.
1st tee
Tee time
Players
7:55 a.m.
Adam Hadwin, Justin Lower, Matthias Schwab
8:06 a.m.
Ryan Palmer, Ryan Moore, Adam Svensson
8:17 a.m.
Russell Knox, Rory Sabbatini, Sam Ryder
8:28 a.m.
Lucas Glover, Andrew Landry, Matt Kuchar
8:39 a.m.
Chez Reavie, Erik van Rooyen, Jim Herman
8:50 a.m.
J.J. Spaun, Sepp Straka, Aaron Wise
9:01 a.m.
Danny Willett, Matt Wallace, Lee Hodges
9:12 a.m.
Nick Hardy, Harry Hall, Carson Young
9:23 a.m.
Erik Barnes, Philip Knowles, Isidro Benitez
9:34 a.m.
Austin Eckroat, Sam Stevens, Brad Adamonis
9:45 a.m.
Michael Gligic, Kyle Westmoreland, Sebastian Vazquez
12:35 p.m.
Kevin Tway, Kevin Streelman, Aaron Rai
12:46 ap.m.
Byeong Hun An, Hayden Buckley, Greyson Sigg
12:57 p.m.
James Hahn, Davis Riley, David Lipsky
1:08 p.m.
Chad Ramey, Joel Dahmen, Francesco Molinari
1:19 p.m.
Seamus Power, Collin Morikawa, Emiliano Grillo
1:30 p.m.
Scottie Scheffler, Viktor Hovland, Keith Mitchell
1:41 p.m.
Patton Kizzire, Patrick Rodgers, Mark Hubbard
1:52 p.m.
Michael Kim, Beau Hossler, Callum Tarren
2:03 p.m.
Brent Grant, Eric Cole, Adri Arnaus
2:14 p.m.
Ben Griffin, Herrison Endycott, Enrique Marin Santander
2:25 p.m.
Zecheng Dou, Paul Haley II, Ryan Hall
10th tee
Tee time
Players
7:55 a.m.
Nate Lashley, Danny Lee, Kramer Hickok
8:06 a.m.
Ryan Armour, John Huh, Alex Noren
8:17 a.m.
Adam Long, Brian Harman, Maverick McNealy
8:28 a.m.
Ryan Brehm, Tom Hoge, Brendon Todd
8:39 a.m.
Tony Finau, Harris English, Sebastian Munoz
8:50 a.m.
Billy Horschel, Justin Rose, Jason Day
9:01 a.m.
Andrew Putnam, Henrik Norlander, Austin Smotherman
9:12 a.m.
Troy Merritt, Chris Kirk, Max McGreevy
9:23 a.m.
Thomas Detry, Taylor Montgomery, Brandon Matthews
9:34 a.m.
Harry Higgs, S.H. Kim, Armando Favela
9:45 a.m.
MJ Daffue, Matti Schmid, Jose de Jesus Rodriguez
12:35 p.m.
David Lingmerth, Doug Ghim, Brandon Wu
12:46 ap.m.
Jason Dufner, Aaron Baddeley, Ben Martin
12:57 p.m.
Scott Piercy, Austin Cook, Charley Hoffman
1:08 p.m.
J.T. Poston, Cameron Champ, Robert Streb
1:19 p.m.
Martin Laird, Richy Werenski, Nick Taylor
1:30 p.m.
K.H. Lee, Garrick Higgo, Tyler Duncan
1:41 p.m.
C.T. Pan, Russell Henley, Zac Blair
1:52 p.m.
Dylan Frittelli, Brian Davis, Justin Suh
2:03 p.m.
Dean Burmester, Ben Taylor, Augusto Nunez
2:14 p.m.
Joseph Bramlett, Will Gordon, Travis Vick
2:25 p.m.
Robby Shelton, Kevin Yu, Travis Trace
How to watch
You can watch Golf Channel for free on fuboTV. All times Eastern.
We recommend interesting sports viewing and streaming opportunities. If you sign up to a service by clicking one of the links, we may earn a referral fee.
“For Will (Gordon), the biggest thing was for him to understand how good he truly is.”
On Wednesday night, on the eve of the World Wide Technology Championship at Mayakoba, Scottie Scheffler took part in a cooking class at the Fairmont Mayakoba in Riviera Maya, Mexico, host of the tournament. How is Scheffler, the reigning Masters and PGA Tour Player of the Year, in the kitchen?
“I mean, I get by,” he said. “Last night was fun having them show us what to do. Yeah, it was definitely a lot of fun.”
Scheffler’s game was cooking on Thursday morning at El Camaleón Golf Course as he carded a bogey-free 6-under 65, his lowest opening round score to par on Tour this year and three strokes off the lead set by Will Gordon in the first round.
“I think when you’re hitting the ball well here, you’re going to get a ton of looks,” said Scheffler, who enjoyed a bunch of tap-in birdies. “No. 9 may have been the longest birdie putt I made today and it was like seven feet.”
Scheffler’s 30-week reign at World No. 1 ended two weeks ago when Rory McIlroy won the CJ Cup in South Carolina, but a victory or solo second would lift him back to the top spot. Scheffler’s sizzling start was matched by Norway’s Viktor Hovland, who played in the same threesome and is striving for his own unique measure of achievement this week.
Hovland is the two-time defending champion of the event and seeking to become just the fourth player to win the same tournament three consecutive years in the last 30 years on the PGA Tour. Hovland started slowly, mixing two birdies and two bogeys on his first nine holes, before coming alive.
“I just kept telling myself that I’m playing well,” he said. “I was a little frustrated being only even par after that front nine making really nice birdies, but bogeying 13, that’s usually – I mean, that’s two shots right there. Then hit it in the water on 17 as well and that just shouldn’t happen. So I gave away a few shots on that side, but really happy on the back there.”
Hovland carded four birdies and holed a bunker shot for eagle at the par-5 seventh hole to post 65, two strokes better than his opening-round performance on his way to his two victories in the Yucatan Peninsula.
“So even improved on that,” said Hovland, who is 49 under in his last nine rounds at El Camaleón.
It was a day to go low or be left in the dust. Over an inch of rain fell on Wednesday, leaving the course soft and meant the Tour implemented preferred lies. The big guns weren’t the only ones who took advantage. Second-year Tour pro Will Gordon, the 2019 SEC Player of the Year out of Vanderbilt and a first-team All-American, birdied the first four holes on the back nine en route to shooting 9-under 62. Gordon turned pro the same year as Hovland and Scheffler but is still searching for his first Tour title.
Will Gordon of United States plays his shot from the 14th tee during the first round of the World Wide Technology Championship at Club de Gold El Camaleon at on November 03, 2022 in Playa del Carmen. (Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images)
He earned his Tour card for the 2020-21 season but finished 159th in the FedEx Cup standings and needed another year of seasoning on the Korn Ferry Tour. Last season, the 26-year-old notched his first professional victory at the Albertson Boise Open to return to the big leagues.
“For Will, the biggest thing was for him to understand how good he truly is,” said Sirius XM PGA Tour Radio’s John Rollins. “I think he’s finally starting to figure that out and kind of get his feet underneath of him. Expect some good things out of Will Gordon this season.”
So far, so good. He’s made the cut in all four of his starts this season and played the weekend at nine straight tournaments in all. Gordon’s prodigious length off the tee and a dialed in putter – he took just 25 putts – were a winning combination in the first round.
“I don’t know what the rest of the week holds, nothing’s promised and nothing’s given, so I’ve just got to continue to try to go out and earn it,” he said.
“He makes it again! Our boy,” Bjornstad exclaimed in 2020. “Look how ice cold he is. He’s unreal that kid! What a star.”
Pull it up on YouTube if you haven’t heard them as words don’t do it justice. Even for Hovland, it holds special significance, especially having Bjornstad, who was the first Norwegian golfer to play the PGA Tour, on the call. When Hovland was 13 years old and growing up in Oslo, Bjornstad, retired from the pro ranks and took over coaching Norway’s elite junior team.
“I was a little starstruck,” Hovland said. “A few years later he’s commentating my wins on Tour. I think that was pretty cool. Obviously the emotions there were very genuine. It’s cool to listen to.”
Bjornstad and his cohort might lose their collective minds if the 25-year-old Hovland wins again at El Camaleon Golf Course at Mayakoba in Riviera Maya, Mexico. The last player to win a single Tour event three years in a row is Steve Stricker at the John Deere Classic (2009, 2010, 2011), and in the last 40 seasons on the Tour only three players have done so – Tiger Woods (an astounding six different times) and Stuart Appleby at the Sentry Tournament of Champions (2004-06) are the others.
“I loved it even before winning it two times,” Hovland said during his pre-tournament interview on Wednesday. “To come back here as a two-time champion is very special. Yeah, see if I can add another one this week.”
Viktor Hovland of Norway celebrates with the trophy on the 18th green after winning the 2021 World Wide Technology Championship at Mayakoba on El Camaleon Golf Course in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Hovland considers El Camaleon, a par-71 layout playing to 7,034 yards, one of the few courses where the fourth-year pro feels like a veteran. He played the World Amateur Team Championship there in 2016 when Norway had its best finish, a T-5, and made his PGA Tour debut as an amateur there in 2018 and missed the cut by a stroke. The next year, as a pro, he missed the cut by a stroke. The last two year’s he’s gotten revenge. In 2020, Hovland was seven strokes back after 36 holes and said to his caddie, “I wish I could have one of those weeks where I put the putting and the long game together,” he recalled. “If I could do that, I’d be fighting for a win.”
He stuck to his game plan, and everything clicked. He birdied the 72nd hole to defeat Aaron Wise by a shot, becoming the fifth European player since World War II to win multiple PGA Tour titles before turning 24 (joining Seve Ballesteros, Sergio Garcia, Rory McIlroy, and Jon Rahm.) It also sent the Norwegian broadcast team into a state of heightened adolescent excitement.
“We had a collective headache after he was finished,” Bjornstad said.
Last year, Hovland set a tournament record, shooting a 72-hole total of 23-under, despite having his driver shaft snap on the range on the eve of the tournament.
“When something like that happens, you just kind of go, ‘Oh, man, come on, like really, is that gonna happen?’” he said.
It barely slowed Hovland down. He borrowed a shaft from fellow pro James Hahn, shot 62 in the third round and matched the tournament record in margin of victory (four shots), after winning on 20-under the previous year. He’s led the field in birdies (28 and 25) the last two seasons.
We can't get enough of Norway’s emphatic call on Viktor Hovland’s ACE. 🤩🇳🇴
Hovland, who helped Oklahoma State win the 2018 NCAA title on its home course, Karsten Creek, in Stillwater, compared doing so to the pressure of trying to three-peat in Mexico.
“People were kind of expecting us to win and we were certainly expecting to win as well. And being at home, it can work to your advantage, but at the same time it can also be an added pressure,” he said. “I think it comes back to if you’re feeling really confident about your game, I think the heightened pressure can kind of help you because it just almost hyper-focuses you to perform that week, but if you don’t have the skills to back it up for that week, it can also go the other way to where you’re trying to force things instead of it kind of naturally happening. I think it all depends on where the state of your game is. I certainly don’t see it as a disadvantage this week.”
