QBE Shootout adds Bubba Watson, Ian Poulter, Kevin Kisner; reveals 2019 teams

The QBE Shootout added a former champion, a two-time major winner, and one of the contenders for a Presidents Cup captain’s pick in completing its field Tuesday. Ian Poulter, who won the 2010 tournament with Dustin Johnson, plus two-time Masters …

The QBE Shootout added a former champion, a two-time major winner, and one of the contenders for a Presidents Cup captain’s pick in completing its field Tuesday.

Ian Poulter, who won the 2010 tournament with Dustin Johnson, plus two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson and Kevin Kisner were among the 10 announced to the field by tournament host Greg Norman for the tournament, which is Dec. 11-15 at Tiburón Golf Club at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort.

“We are pleased to round out the field with such a quality group of players and equally thrilled with the compelling teams we’ve been able to put together,” Norman said in a release. “These dynamic duos comprised of young guns, recent Tour winners and established veterans are sure to create an exciting three-days of competition.”

The 24-person field features nine players whom won during this past season and a total of 80 career PGA Tour and LPGA victories as well as eight of the top 50 players in the world. There are also eight first-time participants in the annual event.

Kisner, who won the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play, was listed by many as a possibility to be one of Tiger Woods’ captain’s picks for the Presidents Cup.

Also competing are: 2019 Valero Texas Open winner Corey Conners; reigning Zurich Classic of New Orleans champion Ryan Palmer; former Australian PGA Championship winner Harold Varner III; Kevin Chappell, who earlier this fall became the 10th player in PGA Tour history to shoot 59; six-time PGA Tour winner Charley Hoffman; four-time Tour winner and two-time Shootout champion Sean O’Hair, and six-time Tour winner Rory Sabbatini.

This year’s QBE Shootout will also feature nine new teams competing for the $3.5 million purse. The three returning teams are defending champions Brian Harman and Patton Kizzire as defending champions, Billy Horschel and Brandt Snedeker who played in 2018, and the return of the team of Graeme McDowell and Poulter, who were paired together in 2008.

Lexi Thompson will be playing for the fourth straight year, and this time will be paired with O’Hair, who won the QBE Shootout with two different partners, Steve Stricker and Kenny Perry. Thompson played with Bryson DeChambeau her first year, and Tony Finau the past two.

Shootout rookies Viktor Hovland and Matthew Wolff also are paired together.

Finau, Patrick Reed, and Gary Woodland, all of whom have played in the Shootout multiple times, were three of Woods’ captain’s picks announced last week. Woods picked himself for the fourth selection.

Friday’s first round will be broadcast live by Golf Channel from noon to 2 p.m. and on Golf Channel Digital from 2-4 p.m. Over the weekend, the final two rounds will be live on Golf Channel from noon to 4 p.m., both Saturday and Sunday.

The QBE Shootout will once again feature a scramble format during the first round, a modified alternate shot format on Saturday, and a final-round four-ball on Sunday.

 

Mayakoba Golf Classic live updates, scores, TV info

Get live updates as the PGA Tour returns this week with the Mayakoba Golf Classic at El Camaleon Golf Club in Playa del Carmen, Mexico.

[jwplayer FbLbRmJ9-9JtFt04J]

The PGA Tour is back in action this week with the Mayakoba Golf Classic at El Camaleon Golf Club in Playa del Carmen, Mexico.

Brendon Todd is the winner, taking the title at 20-under par. It’s his second consecutive title on the PGA Tour, following up his win two weeks ago at the Bermuda Championship.

Mayakoba Golf Classic: Leaderboard | Photo gallery
More: Tee times, TV info | PGA Tour schedule, results

https://twitter.com/golfweek/lists/mayakoba-golf-classic

Eamon’s Corner: Let’s not pretend Mayakoba caddie drama didn’t happen

We all remember Cheapskate-Gate, where it was revealed that Matt Kuchar paid only a paltry percentage of his winner’s check to David Ortiz.

[jwplayer FbLbRmJ9-9JtFt04J]

The 2018 Mayakoba Golf Classic was won by Matt Kuchar, who also emerged as the biggest loser of the week.

We all remember Cheapskate-Gate, where it was revealed that Kuchar paid only a paltry percentage of his winner’s check to David ‘El Tucan’ Ortiz, the local caddie he used that week.

Kuchar’s once-pristine reputation was spit-roasted on social media. The whole thing was a master class in how to botch a public-relations crisis.

But let’s hope that everyone doesn’t just pretend that last year’s drama didn’t happen.

Watch the video at the top of the page to see the latest edition of Eamon’s Corner.

[lawrence-related id=778010386,778009325,778008546,778006194,778003396]

Mayakoba Golf Classic: Fantasy golf power rankings

Here are the power rankings for the players competing in the Mayakoba Golf Classic beginning Thursday.

[jwplayer 0bIoyNLW-9JtFt04J]

The 2019 Mayakoba Golf Classic tees off this Thursday and marks the PGA Tour’s return from a three-event swing through Asia. El Camaleon Golf Club in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, remains host of the annual event which has been a staple of the fall portion of the Tour’s schedule. The Greg Norman-designed course measures 6,987 yards and plays as a par 71 under tournament conditions.

The 128-man field is fronted by defending champion Matt Kuchar and World No. 16 Tony Finau. Justin Thomas, Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, who were all victorious in Asia, are all absent this week in wait of next month’s Hero World Challenge. Next week’s RSM Classic will be the final full-field event until the Sony Open, running Jan. 9-12, 2020.

Mayakoba Golf Classic: Tee times, TV info | Betting odds
Field update: Rickie Fowler withdraws due to sickness

Fantasy Golf Rankings: Top 30

Here are my top-30 fantasy golf rankings for the 2019-20 Mayakoba Golf Classic at El Camaleon Golf Club.

30. Russell Henley

Strong approach game at a course requiring golfers to take tight angles and dodge bunkers.

29. J.T. Poston

Returns to North America off of two top-30 finishes at the WGC-HSBC Champions and Zozo Championship.

28. Keegan Bradley

The 47th-ranked golfer in the world placed T-13 in a strong field at the Zozo Championship, but he was previously in poor form in North America and missed the cut at the Houston Open.

27. Aaron Wise

Tied for 10th last year following a missed cut in 2018. Bounced back from missing the cut at the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open with a third-place finish at the Bermuda Championship.

26. Dylan Frittelli

Is closing in on the top 100 of the Official World Golf Rankings with a T-22 result at the Zozo Championship. Has a strong approach game and hits greens in regulation others can’t.

25. Cameron Champ

Photo Credit: Mark Konezny – USA TODAY Sports

Played in just two events since his win at the Safeway Open in September. Relies more heavily on his off-the-tee game than approaches.

24. Sebastian Munoz

Gained 1.56 strokes per round putting during his victory at the Sanderson Farms Championship. Hasn’t been able to recapture the success with the flat stick.

23. Russell Knox

Had three straight top 10s at this event before skipping last year’s tournament. Was the co-runner-up in 2016.

22. Graeme McDowell

The 2016 champion hasn’t finished better than T-24 since and missed the cut last year.

21. Charley Hoffman

The 2015 champ has missed four straight cuts since his victory. He can still create scoring opportunities but isn’t in consistent four-round form.

20. Jhonattan Vegas

One of the best in the field by Opportunities Gained. Finished T-10 in 2017 and made the cut in four of his last five tries.

19. Denny McCarthy

A spectacular putter who’s waiting to put it all together. The approach game is one of his greatest struggles as he’s often left saving par.

18. Rory Sabbatini

Finished T-33 at the Zozo Championship and T-31 at The CJ Cup. Enters the week 75th by the OWGR.

17. Danny Lee

Photo Credit: Brian Spurlock – USA TODAY Sports

Last year’s runner-up is coming off a T-10 at the Zozo and a solo runner-up at The CJ Cup against much stiffer competition.

16. Pat Perez

The 2017 champ rebounded from a T-34 finish in 2018 to tie for sixth last season. Was solo third at the Shriners but finished T-51 and T-31 in the first two events in Asia.

15. Harris English

Hasn’t played since a T-4 at the Houston Open. Ranks third in the field in Greens in Regulation Gained over everyone’s last 36 rounds.

14. Kyle Stanley

A great course fit who excels on the approach and can create scoring opportunities.

13. Scottie Scheffler

The recent Korn Ferry Tour grad is an expert ball striker. Finished T-28 at the Houston Open but rebounded with T-3 at Bermuda.

12. Billy Horschel

Played all three events in Asia with a top showing of T-6 at the Zozo. He has six top 10s and just two missed cuts in 25 events in 2019.

11. Charles Howell III

Well-experienced at this venue. Placed T-7 in 2017 and T-4 in 2018 before a missed cut last year.


SUBSCRIBE to Golfweek and get the most comprehensive coverage of golf’s greatest athletes. Click here or call 1-800-996-4653 to subscribe.


10. Lanto Griffin

Photo Credit: Eric Bolte – USA TODAY Sports

The current FedExCup points leader and winner of the Houston Open didn’t compete in any of the Asian tournaments. Excels off the tee and on the greens, but can struggle with the approach.

9. Abraham Ancer

The best golfer on the PGA Tour hailing from Mexico has a top finish of T-9 in 2018.

8. Chez Reavie

Four straight made cuts in this event with a top showing of T-4 in 2017. An excellent ball striker who has a great approach game.

7. Kevin Kisner

Ranks 35th in the world after finishing T-9 in each of the final two events of last season’s FedExCup Playoffs. Not in great form after finishing outside the top 25 in the final two events in Asia.

6. Joaquin Niemann

Has slipped back to 55th in the world after peaking at 50th with his breakout win at A Military Tribute at The Greenbrier. Finished T-60 in this event last year.

5. Emiliano Grillo

Photo Credit: Steve Flynn – USA TODAY Sports

His 15th-place finish here last year was his worst result in his last three appearances. Leads the field with 1.91 total strokes gained per round in this event since 2015.

4. Jason Day

The winner of MGM Resorts The Challenge: Japan Skins. Hasn’t finished higher than T-22 in a stroke-play event since the Travelers Championship.

3. Matt Kuchar

Last year’s champ. He had three other top 10s and two runner-ups last season but none since the RBC Canadian Open.

2. Tony Finau

The top-ranked golfer in the field by the OWGR. An expert ball striker with a great approach game and more than enough distance for this shorter venue.

1. Viktor Hovland

Leads the field in Strokes Gained: Ball Striking, Strokes Gained: Approach and Opportunities Gained over everyone’s most recent 36 rounds. Had disappointing showings at The CJ Cup and Zozo Championship but was T-10 at The Greenbrier and T-11 at the European Tour’s BMW PGA Championship.

[opinary poll=”who-will-win-the-mayakoba-golf-classic_g” customer=”golfweek”]

[lawrence-related id=778011024,778011108,778011030,778010987]

Mayakoba Golf Classic: Round 2 tee times, TV info

Here are the tee times and viewing information for the first and second rounds of the Mayakoba Golf Classic.

[jwplayer 0bIoyNLW-9JtFt04J]

The Mayakoba Golf Classic at El Camaleon Golf Club started on Friday, a day late, due to inclement weather that delayed the start of the tournament.

Saturday will feature second-round action starting at 7 a.m.

Mayakoba: Leaderboard | Updates | Photos

The second round tee times can be seen below.

All times listed in Eastern Standard Time.

Round 2

1st tee

Tee time Players
7 a.m. Jhonattan Vegas, Joel Dahmen, Beau Hossler
7:10 a.m. Russell Henley, Nick Taylor, Talor Gooch
7:20 a.m. Harris English, Zac Blair, Bronson Burgoon
7:30 a.m. Ryan Armour, D.A. Points, Kevin Stadler
7:40 a.m. Charles Howell III, Michael Kim, Andrew Landry
7:50 a.m. Chez Reavie, Austin Cook, Zach Johnson
8 a.m. Chris Stroud, Peter Malnati, Bo Van Pelt
8:10 a.m. Matt Jones, Nick Watney, Graham DeLaet
8:20 a.m. Rhein Gibson, Tyler McCumber, Brandon Wu
8:30 a.m. Rafael Campos, Ben Taylor, Eugenio Lopez-Chacarra (a)
8:40 a.m. Wes Roach, Scott Harrington, Bo Hoag
11:30 a.m. Charley Hoffman, Vaughn Taylor, Scott Stallings
11:40 a.m. Aaron Baddeley, Brian Stuard, Emiliano Grillo
11:50 a.m. Ben Martin, Kevin Streelman, Martin Laird
12 p.m. Keegan Bradley, Satoshi Kodaira, Brendan Steele
12:10 p.m. Kevin Kisner, Graeme McDowell, Billy Horschel
12:20 p.m. Matt Kuchar, Tony Finau, Abraham Ancer
12:30 p.m. Aaron Wise, Pat Perez, Luke Donald
12:40 p.m. Robert Streb, Roger Sloan, Scottie Scheffler
12:50 p.m. Xinjun Zhang, Robby Shelton, Efren Serna, Jr.
1 p.m. Kramer Hickok, Sebastian Cappelen, Sebastián Vázquez
1:10 p.m. Tyler Duncan, Maverick McNealy, Jimmy Stanger

Round 2 – 10th tee

Tee time Players
7 a.m. James Hahn, Shawn Stefani, Mark Hubbard
7:10 a.m. Chris Kirk, Scott Brown, Adam Schenk
7:20 a.m. Brian Harman, Mackenzie Hughes, Patrick Rodgers
7:30 a.m. Jim Herman, Patton Kizzire, Rob Oppenheim
7:40 a.m. Lanto Griffin, Cameron Champ, Sebastián Muñoz
7:50 a.m. Joaquin Niemann, C.T. Pan, Jason Day
8 a.m. Harold Varner III, J.J. Spaun, Carlos Ortiz
8:10 a.m. David Hearn, Tom Hoge, Sepp Straka
8:20 a.m. Viktor Hovland, Kristoffer Ventura, Alvaro Ortiz
8:30 a.m. Michael Gligic, Chris Baker, Roberto Díaz
8:40 a.m. Hank Lebioda, Ryan Brehm, José de Jesús Rodríguez
11:30 a.m. Danny Lee, Wyndham Clark, Doc Redman
11:40 a.m. Kyle Stanley, Sam Ryder, Denny McCarthy
11:50 a.m. Brian Gay, Rory Sabbatini, Luke List
12 p.m. Keith Mitchell, Si Woo Kim, Davis Love III
12:10 p.m. J.T. Poston, Dylan Frittelli, Hudson Swafford
12:20 p.m. Scott Piercy, Brice Garnett, Russell Knox
12:30 p.m. Brendon Todd, Adam Long, Kevin Chappell
12:40 p.m. Fabián Gómez, Cameron Tringale, Kyoung-Hoon Lee
12:50 p.m. Henrik Norlander, Chase Seiffert, Ben Silverman
1 p.m. Mark Anderson, Matthew NeSmith, Will Gordon
1:10 p.m. Harry Higgs, Nelson Ledesma, Calum Hill

How to watch

All times listed in Eastern Standard Time.

Friday
Golf Channel: 1-5 p.m.
PGA Tour Radio: 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

Saturday
Golf Channel: 2-5 p.m.
PGA Tour Radio: 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

Sunday
Golf Channel: 2-5 p.m.
PGA Tour Radio: 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

[opinary poll=”who-will-win-the-mayakoba-golf-classic_g” customer=”golfweek”]

[lawrence-related id=778011030,778010987]

Mayakoba Golf Classic odds, predictions, picks and PGA Tour best bets

Here are the odds, predictions, picks and PGA Tour best bets for the Mayakoba Golf Classic beginning Thursday.

[jwplayer 0bIoyNLW-9JtFt04J]

The PGA Tour returns to North America this week for the Mayakoba Golf Classic at El Camaleon Golf Club in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. The course measures 6,987 yards and plays as a par 71 under tournament conditions.

Courtesy of historical data from Fantasy National, the stats best associated with success at this venue are:

  • Strokes Gained: Approach
  • Strokes Gained: Ball Striking
  • Opportunities Gained
  • Greens in Regulation Gained

My model looks at the most recent 36 rounds for each golfer in the field.

Mayakoba Golf Classic: Tee times | Fantasy power rankings
Field update:
 Rickie Fowler withdraws due to sickness

Mayakoba Golf Classic – Tier 1

Photo Credit: Rob Kinnan – USA TODAY Sports

Odds provided by BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Monday at 8:30 p.m. ET.

Viktor Hovland +2000

Hovland, 22, is tied with Jason DayMatt Kuchar and Tony Finau as the tournament favorite, according to the sportsbooks. He is ranked 97th by the Official World Golf Ranking and is still looking for his first career win after turning pro in the summer. Hovland leads the field in each of the four key stats.

Emiliano Grillo +3300

Grillo is a course horse. He finished 15th last year, T-9 in 2018 and T-10 in 2017. He’s coming off a T-30 in a much stronger field at the Zozo Championship in Japan, and he placed T-26 at The CJ Cup the week before. He ranks second to Hovland in most key stats and shares the lead in SG: Approach.

Mayakoba Golf Classic – Tier 2

Photo Credit: Butch Dill – USA TODAY Sports

Chez Reavie +5000

Reavie participated in all three events the PGA Tour just played in Asia. His best result was a T-46 at The CJ Cup in South Korea. The 33rd-ranked golfer by the OWGR ranks sixth by the stat model and is in the top five of the field in SG: Ball Striking, SG: Approach and Opportunities Gained.


Looking to place a bet on this tournament? Get some action on it at BetMGM.  Sign up and bet at BetMGM now!


Kyle Stanley +8000

Stanley plummeted down the OWGR last season while missing the cut in 10 of 25 events and picking up just one top-10 finish with a T-8 at the Wells Fargo Championship. He was ranked as high as 26th at the conclusion of the 2018 WGC-Bridgestone Invitational.

Mayakoba Golf Classic – Longshots

Photo Credit: Ray Carlin – USA TODAY Sports

Charley Hoffman +10000

Hoffman was the 2015 champion at El Camaleon. This number is too great for a winner from just five years ago as a $10 bet returns a $1,000 profit. He hasn’t made the cut in his last four appearances at this event, but he finished T-36 at The CJ Cup and certainly has experience on the course, even with the poor recent results.

Keith Mitchell +12500

Mitchell ranks just 73rd by the stat model, but he’s an excellent value as he has typically been priced much lower than this in more competitive fields. He made the cut here in each of his last two tries.

Get some action on this tournament by signing up and betting at BetMGM. If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com.

Odds

Golfer Odds
Jason Day 20/1
Matt Kuchar 20/1
Tony Finau 20/1
Viktor Hovland 20/1
Billy Horschel 22/1
Charles Howell III 28/1
Joaquin Niemann 28/1
Abraham Ancer 30/1
Denny McCarthy 33/1
Emiliano Grillo 33/1
Russell Knox 33/1
Scottie Scheffler 33/1
Kevin Kisner 35/1
Aaron Wise 40/1
Cameron Champ 40/1
Harris English 40/1
Keegan Bradley 40/1
Lanto Griffin 40/1
Carlos Ortiz 50/1
Chez Reavie 50/1
Danny Lee 50/1
Dylan Frittelli 50/1
Harold Varner III 50/1
J.T. Poston 50/1
Pat Perez 50/1
Rory Sabbatini 55/1
Brian Gay 60/1
Brian Harman 60/1
Beau Hossler 66/1
Brice Garnett 66/1
Cameron Tringale 66/1
Graeme McDowell 66/1
Harry Higgs 66/1
Kevin Streelman 66/1
Nick Taylor 66/1
Scott Piercy 66/1
Sebastián Muñoz 66/1
Xinjun Zhang 66/1
Bronson Burgoon 80/1
Kevin Stanley 80/1
Mark Hubbard 80/1
Martin Laird 80/1
Ryan Armour 80/1
Scott Harrington 80/1
Si Woo Kim 80/1
Whyndham Clark 80/1
Zach Johnson 80/1
Austin Cook 90/1
Brian Stuard 90/1
Doc Redman 90/1
Kramer Hickok 90/1
Luke List 90/1
Nick Watney 90/1
Sam Ryder 90/1
Vaughn Taylor 90/1
Adam Schenk 100/1
Brendon Todd 100/1
Charley Hoffman 100/1
Fabián Gómez 100/1
Hank Lebioda 100/1
Jhonattan Vegas 100/1
Matt Jones 100/1
Roger Sloan 100/1
Scott Stallings 100/1
Straka Straka 100/1
Shawn Stefani 100/1
Talor Gooch 100/1
Aaron Baddeley 125/1
Adam Long 125/1
Bo Hoag 125/1
Brandon Wu 125/1
Brendan Steele 125/1
C.T. Pan 125/1
Calum Hill 125/1
David Hearn 125/1
J.J. Spaun 125/1
James Hahn 125/1
Jiel Dahmen 125/1
Keith Mitchell 125/1
Kevin Chappell 125/1
Maverick McNealy 125/1
Patton Kizzire 125/1
Peter Malnati 125/1
Robert Streb 125/1
Tyler Duncan 125/1
Andrew Landry 150/1
Henrik Norlander 150/1
Jason Dufner 150/1
Kyoung-Hoon Lee 150/1
Luke Donald 150/1
Patrick Rodgers 150/1
Robby Shelton 150/1
Scott Brown 150/1
Wes Roach 150/1
Zac Blair 150/1
Kristoffer Ventura 175/1
Chris Kirk 200/1
Hudson Swafford 200/1
Mac Hughes 200/1
Matthew NeSmith 200/1
Rafael Campos 200/1
Rhein Gibson 200/1
Roberto Diaz 200/1
Rylan Brehm 200/1
Chis Baker 250/1
Chris Stroud 250/1
Graham DeLaet 250/1
José de Jesús Rodriguez 250/1
Michael Gligic 250/1
Sebastian Cappelen 250/1
Ben Martin 300/1
Ben Taylor 300/1
Chase Seiffert 300/1
Jim Herman 300/1
Mark Anderson 300/1
Satoshi Kodaira 300/1
Nelson Ledesma 400/1
Sebastián Vazquez 400/1
Will Gordon 400/1
Bo Van Pelt 500/1
D.A. Points 500/1
Davis Love III 500/1
Kevin Stadler 500/1
Michael Kim 500/1
Alvaro Ortiz 1000/1
Eugenio Lopez-Chacarra 2500/1

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

[opinary poll=”who-will-win-the-mayakoba-golf-classic_g” customer=”golfweek”]

[lawrence-related id=778011030,778010987]

Mayakoba Golf Classic: Fantasy Golf Power Rankings

Previewing the 2019-20 Mayakoba Golf Classic and looking at the best fantasy golf selections for El Camaleon Golf Club.

The 2019 Mayakoba Golf Classic tees off this Thursday and marks the PGA Tour’s return from a three-event swing through Asia. El Camaleon Golf Club in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, remains host of the annual event which has been a staple of the fall portion of the Tour’s schedule. The Greg Norman-designed course measures 6,987 yards and plays as a par 71 under tournament conditions.

The 128-man field is fronted by defending champion Matt Kuchar and world No. 16 Tony FinauJustin ThomasTiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, who were all victorious in Asia, are all absent this week in wait of next month’s Hero World Challenge. Next week’s RSM Classic will be the final full-field event until the Sony Open, running Jan. 9-12, 2020.

Fantasy Golf Rankings: Top 30

Here are my top-30 fantasy golf rankings for the 2019-20 Mayakoba Golf Classic at El Camaleon Golf Club.

30. Russell Henley

Strong approach game at a course requiring golfers to take tight angles and dodge bunkers.

29. J.T. Poston

Returns to North America off of two top-30 finishes at the WGC-HSBC Champions and Zozo Championship.

28. Keegan Bradley

The 47th-ranked golfer in the world placed T-13 in a strong field at the Zozo Championship, but he was previously in poor form in North America and missed the cut at the Houston Open.

27. Aaron Wise

Tied for 10th last year following a missed cut in 2018. Bounced back from missing the cut at the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open with a third-place finish at the Bermuda Championship.

26. Dylan Frittelli

Is closing in on the top 100 of the Official World Golf Rankings with a T-22 result at the Zozo Championship. Has a strong approach game and hits greens in regulation others can’t.

25. Cameron Champ

Photo Credit: Mark Konezny – USA TODAY Sports

Played in just two events since his win at the Safeway Open in September. Relies more heavily on his off-the-tee game than approaches.

24. Sebastian Munoz

Gained 1.56 strokes per round putting during his victory at the Sanderson Farms Championship. Hasn’t been able to recapture the success with the flat stick.

23. Russell Knox

Had three straight top 10s at this event before skipping last year’s tournament. Was the co-runner-up in 2015.

22. Graeme McDowell

The 2015 champion hasn’t finished better than T-24 since and missed the cut last year.

21. Charley Hoffman

The 2015 champ has missed four straight cuts since his victory. He can still create scoring opportunities but isn’t in consistent four-round form.

20. Jhonattan Vegas

One of the best in the field by Opportunities Gained. Finished T-10 in 2016 and made the cut in four of his last five tries.

19. Denny McCarthy

A spectacular putter who’s waiting to put it all together. The approach game is one of his greatest struggles as he’s often left saving par.

18. Rory Sabbatini

Finished T-33 at the Zozo Championship and T-31 at The CJ Cup. Enters the week 75th by the OWGR.

17. Danny Lee

Photo Credit: Brian Spurlock – USA TODAY Sports

Last year’s runner-up is coming off a T-10 at the Zozo and a solo runner-up at The CJ Cup against much stiffer competition.

16. Pat Perez

The 2016 champ rebounded from a T-34 finish in 2017 to tie for sixth last season. Was solo third at the Shriners but finished T-51 and T-31 in the first two events in Asia.

15. Harris English

Hasn’t played since a T-4 at the Houston Open. Ranks third in the field in Greens in Regulation Gained over everyone’s last 36 rounds.

14. Kyle Stanley

A great course fit who excels on the approach and can create scoring opportunities.

13. Scottie Scheffler

The recent Korn Ferry Tour grad is an expert ball striker. Finished T-28 at the Houston Open but rebounded with T-3 at Bermuda.

12. Billy Horschel

Played all three events in Asia with a top showing of T-6 at the Zozo. He has six top 10s and just two missed cuts in 25 events in 2019.

11. Charles Howell III

Well-experienced at this venue. Placed T-7 in 2016 and T-4 in 2017 before a missed cut last year.


SUBSCRIBE to Golfweek and get the most comprehensive coverage of golf’s greatest athletes. Click here or call 1-800-996-4653 to subscribe.


10. Lanto Griffin

Photo Credit: Eric Bolte – USA TODAY Sports

The current FedExCup points leader and winner of the Houston Open didn’t compete in any of the Asian tournaments. Excels off the tee and on the greens, but can struggle with the approach.

9. Abraham Ancer

The best golfer on the PGA Tour hailing from Mexico has a top finish of T-9 in 2017.

8. Chez Reavie

Four straight made cuts in this event with a top showing of T-4 in 2016. An excellent ball striker who has a great approach game.

7. Kevin Kisner

Ranks 35th in the world after finishing T-9 in each of the final two events of last season’s FedExCup Playoffs. Not in great form after finishing outside the top 25 in the final two events in Asia.

6. Joaquin Niemann

Has slipped back to 55th in the world after peaking at 50th with his breakout win at A Military Tribute at The Greenbrier. Finished T-60 in this event last year.

5. Emiliano Grillo

Photo Credit: Steve Flynn – USA TODAY Sports

His 15th-place finish here last year was his worst result in his last three appearances. Leads the field with 1.91 total strokes gained per round in this event since 2015.

4. Jason Day

The winner of MGM Resorts The Challenge: Japan Skins. Hasn’t finished higher than T-22 in a stroke-play event since the Travelers Championship.

3. Matt Kuchar

Last year’s champ. He had three other top 10s and two runner-ups last season but none since the RBC Canadian Open.

2. Tony Finau

The top-ranked golfer in the field by the OWGR. An expert ball striker with a great approach game and more than enough distance for this shorter venue.

1. Viktor Hovland

Leads the field in Strokes Gained: Ball Striking, Strokes Gained: Approach and Opportunities Gained over everyone’s most recent 36 rounds. Had disappointing showings at The CJ Cup and Zozo Championship but was T-10 at The Greenbrier and T-11 at the European Tour’s BMW PGA Championship.

Follow @EstenMcLaren and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1364]

Mayakoba Golf Classic odds, predictions, picks and PGA Tour best bets

Analyzing the 2020 Mayakoba Golf Classic and which golfers are the best options for the event. Who will win at El Camaleon GC? We break it down within.

The PGA Tour returns to North America this week for the Mayakoba Golf Classic at El Camaleon Golf Club in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. The course measures 6,987 yards and plays as a par 71 under tournament conditions.

Courtesy of historical data from Fantasy National, the stats best associated with success at this venue are:

  • Strokes Gained: Approach
  • Strokes Gained: Ball Striking
  • Opportunities Gained
  • Greens in Regulation Gained

My model looks at the most recent 36 rounds for each golfer in the field.

Mayakoba Golf Classic – Tier 1

Photo Credit: Rob Kinnan – USA TODAY Sports

Odds provided by BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Monday at 8:30 p.m. ET.

Viktor Hovland +2000

Hovland, 22, is tied with Jason DayMatt Kuchar and Tony Finau as the tournament favorite, according to the sportsbooks. He is ranked 97th by the Official World Golf Ranking and is still looking for his first career win after turning pro in the summer. Hovland leads the field in each of the four key stats.

Emiliano Grillo +3300

Grillo is a course horse. He finished 15th last year, T-9 in 2017 and T-10 in 2016. He’s coming off a T-30 in a much stronger field at the Zozo Championship in Japan, and he placed T-26 at The CJ Cup the week before. He ranks second to Hovland in most key stats and shares the lead in SG: Approach.

Mayakoba Golf Classic – Tier 2

Photo Credit: Butch Dill – USA TODAY Sports

Chez Reavie +5000

Reavie participated in all three events the PGA Tour just played in Asia. His best result was a T-46 at The CJ Cup in South Korea. The 33rd-ranked golfer by the OWGR ranks sixth by the stat model and is in the top five of the field in SG: Ball Striking, SG: Approach and Opportunities Gained.


Looking to place a bet on this tournament? Get some action on it at BetMGMSign up and bet at BetMGM now!


Kyle Stanley +8000

Stanley plummeted down the OWGR last season while missing the cut in 10 of 25 events and picking up just one top-10 finish with a T-8 at the Wells Fargo Championship. He was ranked as high as 26th at the conclusion of the 2018 WGC-Bridgestone Invitational.

Mayakoba Golf Classic – Longshots

Photo Credit: Ray Carlin – USA TODAY Sports

Charley Hoffman +10000

Hoffman was the 2014 champion at El Camaleon. This number is too great for a winner from just five years ago as a $10 bet returns a $1,000 profit. He hasn’t made the cut in his last four appearances at this event, but he finished T-36 at The CJ Cup and certainly has experience on the course, even with the poor recent results.

Keith Mitchell +12500

Mitchell ranks just 73rd by the stat model, but he’s an excellent value as he has typically been priced much lower than this in more competitive fields. He made the cut here in each of his last two tries.

2019-20 winners: Joaquin Niemann – A Military Tribute at The Greenbrier (+2800)

Get some action on this tournament by signing up and betting at BetMGM. If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @EstenMcLaren and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

[lawrence-newsletter]