5th Nov 2017 | Mayakoba Golf Classic
OHL Classic Trends
The PGA Tour travels to Mexico for the OHL Classic, formerly known as the Mayakoba Classic.
With Europe’s best in South Africa and the big American names enjoying some down-time, the OHL Classic might have a weak field but it is no less competitive. The beautiful El Camaleon golf course in Cancun is a worthy setting for this PGA Tour event.
At less than 7,000 yards, this par-71 course is one of the shorter tracks on tour but certainly no push over. Quality and experience usually come to the fore, 50-year-old Fred Funk triumphed in the inaugural event back in 2007.
With numerous players missing I have widened the qualifying criteria to the top-80 on tour, but definite trends still exist.
Top-60 on tour for driving accuracy
Long hitters have very little advantage on El Camaleon, seven of the last nine winners ranked 100+ for driving distance. Accuracy is the name of the game. Past champions Graeme McDowell, John Huh, Johnson Wagner, Mark Wilson, Brian Gay and Fred Funk all ranked inside the top-30 on tour for driving accuracy in the year they won. Pat Perez just missed out ranking 76th last season.
Top-70 on tour for GIRs
Scoring is generally low at El Camaleon and players need to hit plenty of greens to give themselves birdie opportunities.
Top-70 on tour for adjusted scoring average
Thick vegetation lurks off-line and poor shots are penalised. Birdies are needed and bogeys avoided, creating an all-round test. In a weakened field the best players still shine, with eight of the last ten winners ranking inside the top-70 for adjusted scoring average on tour.
Players that fit all three trends:
Chez Reavie
Emiliano Grillo
Rickie Fowler
Russell Knox
Odds correct at time of publishing: 05:33 5th Nov, 2017 but subject to change
