This year’s Mexico Open returns to a Greg Norman “Signature Course” on the coast near Puerto Vallarta at the Vidanta Vallarta Resort. Since this is a relatively new course that was played for the first time last season, it brings plenty of variables into play, and I tend to take a conservative approach to the week in these instances. We also have a remarkably weak field teeing it up, though Jon Rahm is back to defend his 2022 win. Just eight of the world’s top 100 are in Mexico this week, making this a stark contrast from the designated events that have been so prominent this spring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Vidanta Vallarta is a par-71 course that measures 7,456 yards. It ranks as the 7th longest course on Tour. It is a unique track with five par-3s to go with four par-5s and only nine par-4s. While the par-3s are average in length, five of the par-4s are over 475 yards, and three of the par-5s are over 585 yards. I’m building a card around bombers this week with minimal rough, wide-open fairways and sticky Paspalum grass lining the course. Along with distance, I’m prioritizing SG: APP, emphasizing long irons, since 44% of the approach shots here last year came from more than 200 yards out. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For more course details, check out Ron’s<\/a> course preview<\/a>. It’s the best in the business, bar none. Here’s an important tidbit about Vidanta Vallarta:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The course gets much of its teeth from some lengthy par-4s. Five measure at least 475 yards and are especially challenging when played into the wind. They combined to average 0.26 strokes over par with a birdie or better rate of only 7.9%. Three of the par-5s are massive, with two over 600 yards, including the 12th hole, which is beastly in length at 637 yards and an eagle rate of only 0.9%. In fact, Vidanta Vallarta has the longest combination of par-4s and par-5s on Tour.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Off the tee, players will be met with wide landing areas on fairways that are perfect for bombers who love to hit a ton of drivers. Almost 78% of drives were over 280 yards which is one of the highest rates on Tour. Last year, long hitters like Rahm, Finau, Cameron Champ, Kurt Kitayama, and Patrick Rodgers filled the top 10 of the leaderboard as 7 of the top 10 finishers ranked in the top 16 for Driving Distance on the week.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n My goal with this piece is to touch on the golfers I’m targeting this week. There are millions of ways to bet on this beautiful game, so I’ll share my opinion on the best way to bet on each golfer in my player pool at this week’s event. When pricing out finishing position bets (T5, T10, T20s, etc.), I’ll often lean towards BetMGM<\/a> even if there’s a better number elsewhere because of MGM’s advantageous dead-heat rules. So know the rules of the books that you’re betting on! <\/p>\n\n\n\n