Mayakoba Preview: What to expect at the fall stop in Mexico
The PGA TOUR heads to Mexico this week for the World Wide Technology Championship at the Mayakoba, previously known as the Mayakoba Golf Classic.
The tournament has been a part of the fall swing since 2014, and it now awards full FedEx Cup points, an invitation to the Masters, and a significantly increased purse.
Here's what you need to know for the week on the beach.
When: Nov. 4-7
Where: El Camaleon Golf Club, Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico
Purse: $7.2 million
Winner's Purse: $1.296 million
How to watch (all times ET)
Thursday, Nov. 4: 3:00-6:00 p.m. (Golf Channel)
Friday, Nov. 5: 3:00-6:00 p.m. (Golf Channel)
Saturday, Nov. 6: 2:00-5:00 p.m. (Golf Channel)
Sunday, Nov. 7: 2:00-5:00 p.m. (Golf Channel)
The field
Justin Thomas headlines a strong crop of players making the trip to Mexico this week. The World No. 7 will be joined by Tony Finau, Abraham Ancer, Tyrrell Hatton, Billy Horschel, and defending champion Viktor Hovland.
Rickie Fowler, Patrick Reed, Will Zalatoris, Matthew Wolff, Sergio Garcia, and Matthew Fitzpatrick round out the other notables in attendance.
The full field can be found here.
Featured groups (all times ET)
Group: Tony Finau, Billy Horschel, Brooks Koepka
Thursday - 7:39 a.m.
Friday - 12:19 p.m.
Group: Justin Thomas, Joaquin Niemann, Rickie Fowler
Thursday - 7:50 a.m.
Friday - 12:30 p.m.
Group: Lucas Herbert, Patrick Reed, Viktor Hovland
Thursday - 12:30 p.m.
Friday - 7:50 a.m.
Group: Abraham Ancer, Carlos Ortiz, Sergio Garcia
Thursday - 12:19 p.m.
Friday - 7:39 a.m.
The full list of tee times can be found here.
The course
El Camaleon is a par-71 course that measures a modest 6,897 yards. The coastal layout was designed in 2006 by Greg Norman and features Paspalum fairways, greens, and rough throughout the property. The course meanders through dense tropical jungle and oceanfront, so accuracy off the tee will be paramount. Similar to all coastal courses, its difficulty will be dictated by the wind. But the move on the PGA TOUR schedule from February to November has produced easier scoring conditions across the past few editions.
Ultimately, El Camaleon isn't a layout where sheer power is rewarded. It's more of a technical golf course where avoiding trouble off the tee, coupled with elite wedge play, is the roadmap to success.
Betting corner
Justin Thomas 11-1
Abraham Ancer 16-1
Viktor Hovland 17-1
Tony Finau 20-1
Brooks Koepka 25-1
Scottie Scheffler 25-1
Cameron Tringale 28-1
Aaron Wise 30-1
Billy Horschel 30-1
Shane Lowry 30-1
Tyrrell Hatton 30-1
Patrick Reed 35-1
Talor Gooch 35-1
Will Zalatoris 35-1
Harold Varner 40-1
Matthew Fitzpatrick 40-1
Matthew Wolff 40-1
(Odds source: theScore Bet)