After a rousing event at PGA National last week in The Honda Classic, the tour heads south for the latest World Golf Championship event in Mexico.
It's the second straight year that the event will be held in Mexico City at Club de Golf Chapultepec, a course placed at very high altitude around the sprawling metropolis.
Dustin Johnson outlasted Tommy Fleetwood to win last year's event, telling us that the event places a premium on ball-striking, something to keep in mind when making this week's picks.
Favorite to watch (odds 25-1 or less)
Jordan Spieth
Spieth shot par or worse in three of his four rounds at this event last year, but showed he can go low with a sizzling round of 63, the lowest of the week. Spieth is currently ranked 22nd on tour in strokes-gained on approach, a number that will certainly help at the tricky layout. The 24-year-old's putting woes look to be solved from earlier in the season and he will remind everyone he's still one of the predominant forces on tour with a win this week.
Odds to win: 11-1
Top-5 odds: 5-2
Second tier (odds 25-1 or greater)
Paul Casey
Casey has gained a reputation as one of the world's most consistent players and that's certainly the case again this season. The 40-year-old has made six starts worldwide and has posted five top-20 finishes without missing a cut. He's making his second start in Mexico City, closing with rounds of 67 and 66 to sit 16th in last year's event. Don't be shocked if he's in contention yet again on the weekend.
Odds to win: 28-1
Top-5 odds: 13-2
Long shot (odds 50-1 or greater)
Gary Woodland
The Phoenix Open champ is in fine form entering this week's event with three top-12 finishes in his last five events. Woodland struggled to a 38th-place showing in Mexico last year, with only one round in the 60s, but his improved form must have him full of confidence this time around. The veteran ranks 17th on tour in strokes-gained on approach, and at 66-1 he's worth a look.
Odds to win: 66-1
Top-5 odds: 10-1
Super long shot (odds 80-1 or greater)
Haotong Li
Li has made the cut in all three PGA Tour events this season, and has a European Tour win already in the books thanks to his victory over Rory McIlroy in the Dubai Desert Classic. The Chinese star is 10th on tour this year in strokes-gained on approach and his supreme ball-striking should help him overcome an unfamiliar course on his first start in Mexico.
Odds to win: 100-1
Top-5 odds: 18-1
Hit this bet, buy a car (odds 125-1 or greater)
Kyle Stanley
With two missed cuts in his last two events, Stanley hasn't been in strong form lately, but he's still worth a look this week in Mexico. Prior to the past two events, Stanley had made all six cuts this season including two top-10 finishes. His ball-striking stats are currently underwhelming, but his history as a top-quality player from tee-to-green should be a factor this week. At 150-1, he's worth a long-shot bet.
Odds to win: 150-1
Top-5 odds: 25-1
Last week's results
Tommy Fleetwood: 4th
Ollie Schniederjans: T-64
Brandt Snedeker: MC
Keegan Bradley: T-49
Wesley Bryan: MC
Season Record (8 events)
Wins: 3 (Bubba Watson 50-1, Dustin Johnson 15-2, Jon Rahm 8-1)
Top five: 6
(Odds courtesy: Bodog)
(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)
