2025 Mexico Open Preview & Picks

The Mexico Open at VidantaWorld is the eighth event of the 2025 PGA TOUR season and one of six national opens that award FedExCup points, alongside the Puerto Rico Open, RBC Canadian Open, U.S. Open, Genesis Scottish Open, and The Open Championship.

This tournament also marks the first chance for players to earn FedExCup points toward the Aon Swing 5 for the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard. The top five players, not otherwise exempt, who accumulate the most FedExCup points at the Mexico Open at VidantaWorld and the following week’s Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches will qualify for the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

Pre-Tournament Storylines:

Ludvig Åberg

Ludvig Åberg secured his first Signature Event victory at the Genesis Invitational, held at Torrey Pines. He posted a final-round 66, finishing at 12 under par to claim a one-stroke victory over Maverick McNealy.

Jake Knapp

Jake Knapp earned his first PGA TOUR title at the 2024 Mexico Open at Vidanta, holding on for a two-stroke victory over Sami Välimäki. Since then, he has yet to capture a second win on TOUR but is coming off his best result of the season, finishing T17 at the Genesis Invitational.

Blades Brown

The 17-year-old is set to play in his third PGA TOUR event and his second since turning professional earlier this season. Last year, he finished T26 at the Myrtle Beach Classic, and in 2024, he competed in The American Express, where he missed the cut. Brown will turn 18 on May 21, at which point he will be eligible to earn PGA TOUR or Korn Ferry Tour status based on merit, as players under 18 cannot become TOUR members.

Tournament Information:

• Dates: February 20th – February 23rd, 2025
• Location: Vallarta, Mexico
• Course: VidantaWorld (Vidanta Vallarta Course)
• Course Type: Coastal, Resort
• Par: 71 (5x 3’s / 9x 4’s / 4x 5’s)
• Length: 7,436 yards
• Format: 72-hole stroke play
• Greens: Platinum paspalum .090”
• Fairways: Platinum paspalum .300”
• Rough: Platinum paspalum 2.5”
• Bunkers: 55
• Water Hazard(s): 12 (In-Play on 13 Holes)
• Average Green Size: 7,000 sq. ft.
• Stimpmeter: 11-11.5 ft.
• Purse/ Winner: $7,000,000 /$1,260,000
• FedEx Cup Points: 500
• Field: 132 Players
• Cut: Top 65 and Ties- 36 Holes
• Playoff Format: Sudden Death (18, 18, 17, 18)
• Course Scoring Average:
  • 2024: 70.07 (-0.93), Rank 21 of 51
  • 2023: 70.10 (-0.90), Rank 31 of 49
  • 2022: 70.32 (-0.68), Rank 24 of 50
• Historic Cut Line:
• 2024: -2
• 2023: -2
• 2022: -1

Social Media:

• Course Instagram: @golfvidanta
• Tournament X: @MexicoOpenGolf

Course Information:

Course Architect:

• Course Architect: Greg Norman (2015)
• Renovations: Greg Norman (2022)

Comparable Courses:

• El Cardonal at Diamante – World Wide Technology Championship – RESULTS
  • Coastal Course, Comparable Yardage, Similar Green Complex
• Grand Reserve Golf Club – Puerto Rico Open – RESULTS
  • Coastal Course, Comparable Yardage, Similar Green Complex, Advantage for Distance off the tee
• Corales Puntacana Championship – Puntacana Resort & Club (Corales Golf Course) – RESULTS
  • Coastal Course, Similar Green Complex, Advantage for Distance off the tee

Comparable Location (Vallarta, Mexico):

• El Cardonal at Diamante – Cabo San Lucas, Mexico – World Wide Technology Championship

Designer Link (Greg Norman):

• TPC San Antonio (Oaks Course) – Greg Norman (2010) – Valero Texas Open

Comparable Yardage (7,436 Yards):

• TPC Louisiana – 7,425 Yards – Zurich Classic of New Orleans
• TPC Twin Cities – 7,431 Yards – 3M Open
• TPC San Antonio (Oaks Course) – 7,438 Yards – Valero Texas Open

Comparable Greens (Platinum paspalum .090”):

• Grand Reserve Golf Club – Sea Dwarf Paspalum – Puerto Rico Open
• Puntacana Resort & Club (Corales Golf Course) – Supreme paspalum .100” – Corales Puntacana Championship
• El Cardonal at Diamante – Platinum paspalum .090” – World Wide Technology Championship

Comparable Average Green Size (7,000 sq. ft.):

• PGA WEST (Nicklaus Tournament Course) – 7, 000 sq. ft. – The American Express
• Memorial Park Golf Course – 7, 000 sq. ft. – Texas Children’s Houston Open
• The Renaissance Club – 7, 000 sq. ft. – Genesis Scottish Open
• PGA National Resort (The Champion) – 7,000 sq. ft. – Cognizant Classic in the Palm Beaches
• Black Desert Resort – 7,000 sq. ft. – Black Desert Championship

TV Information (all times ET):

• Round 1: Thursday, February 20th, 2025
  • ESPN + (PGA TOUR Live) – 9:15 AM – 4:00 PM
  • Golf Channel – 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
• Round 2: Friday, February 21st, 2025
  • ESPN + (PGA TOUR Live) – 9:15 AM – 4:00 PM
  • Golf Channel – 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
• Round 3: Saturday, February 22nd, 2025
  • ESPN + (PGA TOUR Live) – 8:30 AM – 1:00 PM
  • Golf Channel – 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
  • NBC – 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM
• Round 4: Sunday, February 23rd, 2025
  • ESPN + (PGA TOUR Live) – 8:30 AM – 1:00 PM
  • Golf Channel – 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
  • NBC – 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Weather:

Course/ Tournament History:

The Vidanta Vallarta Course, located within the VidantaWorld resort in Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico, is a premier golf destination that has quickly become a staple in the world of professional golf. Designed by renowned architect Greg Norman, the course opened in 2015 and offers a challenging layout set against the stunning backdrop of the Pacific Ocean and the Sierra Madre mountains. The course is part of the VidantaWorld resort, a luxury destination known for its world-class amenities, including high-end hotels, restaurants, and recreational options. Looking ahead, VidantaWorld is set to open the BON Luxury Theme Park in 2026, further enhancing the resort’s appeal. Vidanta Vallarta has hosted the Mexico Open, which became an official PGA TOUR event in 2022, marking the course’s rise to prominence on the international golf scene.

VidantaWorld’s premier resort features two additional golf courses alongside Vidanta Vallarta. The Nayar Course, a Jack Nicklaus-designed par-70 layout, offers a strategic challenge, while The Lakes Course, a 10-hole, par-3 layout, provides a unique after-dark golf experience with illuminated fairways and greens.

The Mexico Open is a storied tournament with a rich history dating back to its inaugural event in 1944. Initially, it was a local event held at various venues, primarily in Mexico City, including Club de Golf Chapultepec. For many years, it was a prominent fixture on the Mexican golf scene before gaining more international recognition. Over time, the tournament has seen several name and format changes, with a notable shift in 1994 when it became part of the PGA TOUR Latinoamérica series. In 2022, the Mexico Open was elevated to an official PGA TOUR event, marking a new era in its legacy. Since then, it has been held at Vidanta Vallarta in Nuevo Vallarta, bringing PGA TOUR players to the country for the first time in decades.

Previous Tournament Venues:

Previous Tournament Names:

Tournament Records:

• Most Wins at Event:
  • 4, Al Espinosa (1944, 1945, 1946, 1947)

Course Records:

• 72-Hole Record (VidantaWorld (Vidanta Vallarta Course)):
  • 260, Tony Finau (2023)

• 18-Hole Record (VidantaWorld (Vidanta Vallarta Course)):
  • 61, Jon Rahm (third round, 2023)

• Largest Margin of Victory (VidantaWorld (Vidanta Vallarta Course)):
  • 3 Strokes – Tony Finau (2023)
    

Course Guide/ Scorecard:

The Vidanta Vallarta Course at VidantaWorld, originally crafted by Greg Norman in 2015, presents golfers with a challenging Par 71 layout spanning 7,456 yards. Notably, it boasts a distinctive configuration featuring five Par 3s, nine Par 4s, and four Par 5s.

To adhere to PGA TOUR standards, the course underwent significant alterations. This included replacing the geotextile and sand in the 106 traps, with 1,760 tons of white silica sand sourced from Veracruz, Mexico. Additionally, the sand in the practice area’s traps was also replaced.

The course’s par rating was adjusted from Par 73 to Par 71. Notably, the 4th and 16th holes were reclassified from Par 5s to Par 4s. Furthermore, nine holes underwent lengthening, including holes 1 to 4 of the first round and holes 10, 12, 14, 16, and 18 of the second round. As a result of these modifications, the course’s total yardage increased by 169 yards, now measuring 7,456 yards compared to its previous length of 7,287 yards.

Stretching over 7,400 yards, Vidanta Vallarta ranks among the longest courses on the PGA TOUR. Despite its length, the wide fairways provide ample room off the tee, making accuracy less of a concern. The 2-inch rough is relatively forgiving, and the large greens, averaging 7,000 square feet, enhance playability. However, the course presents a significant challenge with its abundance of bunkers, ranking among the top two on TOUR in total sand hazards. Additionally, coastal winds from the Pacific Ocean add another layer of difficulty, demanding precise shot-making. The Paspalum greens, common on seaside courses, create a sticky surface that limits bump-and-run opportunities, requiring a more controlled short-game approach.

The five Par 3’s range from 170 to 226 yards. Last year, No. 5 and No. 11 were the only two Par 3’s to have a scoring average under par.

No. 5, 208 yards, Par 3: “This first par 3 has a green protected entirely by traps, so it simulates an island-type green. The control of the spin will be very important to be able to attack the flag and get the long-awaited birdie.”

No. 9, 197 yards, Par 3: “With an elevated island-type transverse green with a lake in front and undulations on the surface of the green, it will allow players to get the best out of their control shots with medium irons, as well as the wind that, due to the height of the shot, will affect the flights of the ball from the start.”

There are nine Par 4’s at Vidanta Vallarta with the majority of those holes ranging between 450 and 500 yards. Last year, the easiest hole on the course last year was No. 7 which is a Par 4 listed at 297 yards which had a scoring average of 3.406.

No. 3, 445 yards, Par 4: “Another of the new tees protected by desert on the right side and lake on the left side, plus some traps halfway through. But what’s really tricky about this hole is the crosswind you usually find on the shots to the green. When achieving the fairway, the second shot will have to be applied to the sensitivity of the player to control the distance due to the crosswind and the bounce on the green that is divided into two floors, interesting flag positions on a hole that requires total control from the tee of tee.”

No. 7, 297 yards, Par 4: “A hole known as “risk-reward”, where players will be able to reach the green without problems, but they will have to take care of the water on the left side and the sand traps on the right side of the green. Without a doubt, one of the holes where we can see many fireworks as it is the shortest par 4 of the 18 holes.”

No. 15, 459 yards, Par 4: “Penalty lake all along the left side of the fairway from tee off to the green and with a sand trap in the middle of the fairway reachable with the drive. The green is flat with no undulations and with sand traps protecting its right side.”

There are four Par 5s on the course, No. 6, No. 12, No. 14, and No. 18. All of these holes had a scoring average under par in 2024.

No. 12, 637 yards, Par 5: “A long par 5 that makes it difficult to reach the two-way green. The imposing parota tree protecting the second shot makes players concentrate on a placement shot to achieve a short third shot that allows them to get down a stroke to par of the hole.”

No. 18, 548 yards, Par 5: “A parota shaft protects the tee shot. In addition, a narrow fairway covered with sand traps on the left side and an O.B. on the right side make it a challenge off the tee. However, it gives you a chance to get on two strokes with a chance of ending your round with an eagle. In case it is played conservatively, the third shot to the green requires maximum precision to be able to place the third shot close to the hole and be able to close their round with birdie.”

Featured/ Signature Hole(s): 7

Key Statistics:

The Mexico Open takes place at VidantaWorld (Vidanta Vallarta Course). Here are the key statistics to keep an eye on for this week’s event.

Per DataGolf, this is the favored skillset at VidantaWorld (Vidanta Vallarta Course).

• Strokes Gained: Off the Tee
  • Success this week will hinge on players’ ability to position themselves effectively off the tee. While the course’s considerable length underscores the significance of distance, precision holds equal importance. Over the past three editions of the Mexico Open, every winner has ranked 11th or better in Strokes Gained: Off the Tee amongst the field.
  • Leaders in this category in the last 24 Rounds:
    • Samuel Stevens
    • Taylor Moore
    • Trevor Cone
    • Matthias Schmid
    • Rico Hoey
    • Chun-an Yu
    • Kurt Kitayama
    • Niklas Norgaard Moller
    • Will Gordon
    • Alejandro Tosti

• Strokes Gained: Approach
  • Excellent approach play has been a key factor in determining success at this week’s tournament. Over the past three editions of the Mexico Open, every winner has ranked 30th or better in Strokes Gained: Approach amongst the field. The last two winners of this event have ranked 8th or higher in this category.
  • Leaders in this category in the last 24 Rounds:
    • Kurt Kitayama
    • Antoine Rozner
    • Matteo Manassero
    • Andrew Putnam
    • McClure (Mac) Meissner
    • Kevin Roy
    • Charley Hoffman
    • Nicolai Hojgaard
    • Michael Kim
    • David Lipsky

• Strokes Gained: Putting (Paspalum)
  • The green complexes at VidantaWorld (Vidanta Vallarta Course) are Platinum paspalum. Over the past three editions of the Mexico Open, every winner has ranked 18th or better in Strokes Gained: Putting amongst the field.
  • Leaders in this category in the last 24 Rounds:
    • Ben Silverman
    • Davis Riley
    • Aaron Baddeley
    • Akshay Bhatia
    • Henrik Norlander
    • Patrick Rodgers
    • Sami Valimaki
    • Ben Griffin
    • Chan Kim
    • Emiliano Grillo

• Par 3 Scoring
  • There are five Par 3’s at VidantaWorld (Vidanta Vallarta Course) range between 170-226 Yards. Over the past two editions of the Mexico Open, both winners have ranked 3rd or better in Par 3 Scoring amongst the field.
  • Leaders in this category in the last 24 Rounds:
    • Sam Ryder
    • Nicolai Hojgaard
    • Thorbjorn Olesen
    • Justin Lower
    • Michael Thorbjornsen
    • Kevin Tway
    • Francesco Molinari
    • Brian Campbell
    • Beau Hossler
    • Vincent Whaley

• Par 4 Scoring: 450-500 Yards
  • Four of the nine Par 4’s at VidantaWorld (Vidanta Vallarta Course) range from 450-500 Yards. Over the past two editions of the Mexico Open, both winners have ranked 1st in Par 4 Scoring: 450-500 Yards amongst the field.
  • Leaders in this category in the last 24 Rounds:
    • Alejandro Tosti
    • Joe Highsmith
    • Carson Young
    • Patrick Fishburn
    • Antoine Rozner
    • Sam Stevens
    • Michael Kim
    • Matteo Manassero
    • Rikuya Hoshino
    • Alex Smalley

• Par 5 Scoring: 600-650 Yards
  • Two of the four Par 5’s at VidantaWorld (Vidanta Vallarta Course) range between 600-650 Yards. The two outliers are No. 14 which is listed at 585 Yards and No. 18 which is listed at 548 Yards.
  • Leaders in this category in the last 24 Rounds:
    • Kristoffer Ventura
    • Michael Kim
    • Vincent Whaley
    • Erik Van Rooyen
    • Trey Mullinax
    • Beau Hossler
    • Akshay Bhatia
    • Scott Piercy
    • Chan Kim
    • Aaron Rai

• Driving Distance Gained
  • The Vidanta Vallarta Course is one of the longest courses on Tour playing over 7,400 Yards. Over the past three editions of the Mexico Open, every winner has ranked 11th or better in Driving Distance Gained amongst the field.
  • Leaders in this category in the last 24 Rounds:
    • Chris Gotterup
    • Aldrich Potgieter
    • Alejandro Tosti
    • Pierceson Coody
    • Michael Thorbjornsen
    • Tyler McCumber
    • Keith Mitchell
    • Paul Waring
    • Erik Van Rooyen
    • Tim Widing

• Greens in Regulation Gained
  • With large but undulating greens, those who frequently find the putting surface in regulation set themselves up for more birdie opportunities while avoiding the difficulty of scrambling from tight lies or tricky bunkers. Over the past three editions of the Mexico Open, every winner has ranked 7th or better in Greens in Regulation Gained amongst the field.
  • Leaders in this category in the last 24 Rounds:
    • Will Gordon
    • Andrew Putnam
    • Ben Griffin
    • Ben Kohles
    • Alex Smalley
    • Rasmus Hojgaard
    • Matteo Manassero
    • Patrick Rodgers
    • Vincent Norrman
    • Nicolai Hojgaard

• Birdies or Better Gained
  • VidantaWorld (Vidanta Vallarta Course) historically demands low scoring to contend. With each of the last three winners posting a winning score of -17 or better, players need to consistently convert birdie opportunities to keep pace.
  • Leaders in this category in the last 24 Rounds:
    • Joe Highsmith
    • Jesper Svensson
    • Maverick McNealy
    • Harry Hall
    • Rasmus Hojgaard
    • Stephan Jaeger
    • Jacob Bridgeman
    • Ryan Gerard
    • Frankie Capan
    • Justin Lower

• Sand Saves Gained
  • The Vidanta Vallarta Course boasts a significant number of bunkers, players will inevitably encounter them during the tournament. Excelling in bunker play will be crucial for contenders aiming to stay competitive and contend for victory this week. Over the past two editions of the Mexico Open, both winners have ranked 15th or better in Sand Saves Gained amongst the field.
  • Leaders in this category in the last 24 Rounds:
    • Beau Hossler
    • Vincent Whaley
    • Keith Mitchell
    • Isaiah Salinda
    • Brian Campbell
    • Ryo Hisatsune
    • Takumi Kanaya
    • Akshay Bhatia
    • Sam Ryder
    • Alejandro Tosti

• Proximity Gained: 200+ Yards
  • VidantaWorld (Vidanta Vallarta Course) sees a significantly higher volume of approach shots from the 200+ yard range compared to the PGA Tour average.

• Leaders in Proximity Gained 200+ Yards in the last 24 Rounds:
  • Alvaro Ortiz-Becerra
  • Rikuya Hoshino
  • Nicolai Hojgaard
  • Nick Hardy
  • Alex Smalley
  • Jackson Suber
  • Zac Blair
  • Kurt Kitayama
  • Wesley Bryan
  • Matthias Schmid

• Comparable Courses and Event History
  • The Data Golf Course History Tool suggests that past success at VidantaWorld (Vidanta Vallarta Course) has been a slight predictor of future performance in this tournament.

• Leaders in this category (Stokes Gained Total at VidantaWorld (Vidanta Vallarta Course)):
  • Patrick Rodgers
  • Jake Knapp
  • Stephan Jaeger
  • Akshay Bhatia
  • Kurt Kitayama
  • Carson Young
  • Sami Valimaki
  • Emiliano Grillo
  • C.T. Pan
  • Beau Hossler

The Field:

This year’s Mexico Open will feature a total of 132 competitors. Among them are just two of the top thirty players in the Official World Golf Ranking.

Basis of qualification for each entrant this week:

• Tournament Winner in Past Two Seasons.
• Leading 10 players (not otherwise exempt) on DP World Tour
• Top 70 on Prior Year FEC Playoff & Elig List through the Playoffs
• Top 125 FedExCup Fall Point Lists
• Winners of the Arnold Palmer, Memorial, Genesis (Last 3 Years )
• Leading Points Winner from DP World Tour
• Players 2-30 on the Prior Season Korn Ferry Tour Points List
• Top 5 Finishers and Ties from PGA TOUR Q-School
• Top 10 and Ties from the Previous Event.
• 300 PGA TOUR Career Cuts Made
• PGA TOUR University #1 – Prior Season
• PGA Section Champion\Player of the Year.
• Designated Sponsor Exemptions
• Sponsors Exemptions – PGA TOUR Member not otherwise exempt.
• Sponsor Exemptions: DPWT / Korn Ferry Tour / Q-School Category
• Sponsors Exemptions – Unrestricted.
• Career Money Exemption.
• Major Medical Extension.
• Top Finishers from Korn Ferry Tour Medical.
• Open Qualifying.

Previous Winners in the Field (Event):

• Jake Knapp (2024 – VidantaWorld (Vidanta Vallarta Course)), Alvaro Ortiz Becerra (2021 – Estrella del Mar)

Debutants in the Field:

Event:

• Aldrich Potgieter, Anders Albertson, Antoine Rozner, Blades Brown, Braden Thornberry, Brian Campbell, Danny Walker, Erich Fortlage, Frankie Capan III, Gerardo Gomez, Isaiah Salinda, Jackson Suber, Jesper Svensson, Jesse Droemer, Joel Dahmen, John Pak, Jose Luis Ballester Barrio, Justin Hastings, Kaito Onishi, Karl Vilips, Kevin Velo, Kevin Yu, Kristoffer Ventura, Leaondro Mihaich, Luke Gifford, Mason Andersen, Matt McCarty, Matteo Manassero, Matthew Riedel, Matthew Watkins, Michael Thorbjornsen, Nick Hardy, Niklas Norgaard Moller, Noah Goodwin, Paul Peterson, Paul Waring, Quade Cummins, Rasmus Hojgaard, Ricky Castillo, Rikuya Hoshino, Riley Lewis, Sam Ryder, Steven Fisk, Takumi Kanaya, Taylor Dickson, Taylor Montgomery, Thomas Rosenmueller, Thriston Lawrence, Tim Widing, Vince Covello, Will Chandler, William Mouw, Zac Blair

Course:

• Tyler McCumber, Philip Knowles, Jeremy Paul

Players with Mexico ties in the Field:

Birthplace:

• Santiago de la Fuente – Ocotlán, Mexico
  • 2024 Latin America Amateur Champion (LAAC)

• Gerardo Gómez (amateur) – San Luis Potosí, Mexico
  • Freshman at the University of Arkansas
  • 2024 Mexico National Amateur Champion

• José Cristóbal Islas – Pachuca, Mexico
  • 2024 HIDALGO Champion (Gira de Golf Profesional Mexicana)
  • 2024 Mexico City Open Champion (Gira de Golf Profesional Mexicana)

• Álvaro Ortiz – Guadalajara, Mexico
  • 2021 Mexico Open Champion (PGA Tour Latinoamérica)

• José Antonio Safa (amateur) – Torreon, Mexico

Exemptions:

• Jose Luis Ballester Barrio – Sponsors Exemptions (Unrestricted)
• Blades Brown – Sponsors Exemptions (Unrestricted)
• Santiago de la Fuente – Designated Sponsor Exemptions
• Erich Fortlage – Designated Sponsor Exemptions
• Gerardo Gomez – Designated Sponsor Exemptions
• Padraig Harrington – Sponsors Exemptions (PGA TOUR Member not otherwise exempt)
• Justin Hastings – Sponsors Exemptions (Unrestricted)
• José Cristóbal Islas – Sponsors Exemptions (Unrestricted)
• Philip Knowles – Sponsor Exemptions (DPWT / Korn Ferry Tour / Q-School Category)
• Leandro Mihaich – Designated Sponsor Exemptions
• Álvaro Ortiz – Designated Sponsor Exemptions
• Scott Piercy – Sponsors Exemptions (PGA TOUR Member not otherwise exempt)
• Jose Antonio Safa – Designated Sponsor Exemptions
• Norman Xiong – Sponsor Exemptions (DPWT / Korn Ferry Tour / Q-School Category)

Notable Withdraws/ Changes:

• Keith Mitchell WD -> Norman Xiong IN (on his own number)
• Vince Covello IN (receives the open DPWT/KFT/Q-School exemption)
• Maverick McNealy WD -> Philip Knowles IN (on his own number)
• Fred Biondi IN (open exemption)
• Norman Xiong WD -> Vince Covello IN (own number)
• Jonathan Byrd IN (receives final exemption)

Tee Times & Groupings:

The Odds:

Here are the current favorites for this week’s event:

Tournament Props:

Playoff:

• Will There Be a Playoff at the Mexico Open? (Yes +350 / No -500)

Since the Mexico Open became an official PGA TOUR event in 2022 and moved to its current venue at VidantaWorld (Vidanta Vallarta Course), the tournament has yet to be decided by a playoff.

Hole-in-One:

• Will There Be A Hole-in-One at the Mexico Open? (Yes -145/ No +110)

2024: Rafael Campo made a remarkable hole-in-one on the par-3 17th hole during the second round at Vidanta Vallarta on Friday.

2023: No holes-in-one were recorded.

2022: Kiradech Aphibarnrat and Scott Gutschewski both scored holes-in-one on the par-3 5th hole in the same round. This marked only the fourth time in history that multiple holes-in-one were made on the same hole in the same round of a stroke-play event, with the last occurrence being at the 2016 Masters on the 16th hole in the final round.

Recent Horses for Courses (VidantaWorld (Vidanta Vallarta Course)):

(Only using data from the 2022-24 Mexico Open held at Vidanta Vallarta)

Recent Donkeys for Courses (VidantaWorld (Vidanta Vallarta Course)):

(Only using data from the 2022-24 Mexico Open held at Vidanta Vallarta)

Previous Winners Scores, Prices, and Strokes Gained (Rank at Tournament):

• 2024: Jake Knapp (-19)
  • Price: 50-1

• 2023: Tony Finau (-24)
  • Price: 8-1

• 2022: Jon Rahm (-17)
  • Price: 5-1

Previous Winners Incoming Form (Last 5 Starts):

• 2024: Jake Knapp
  • T28 – WM Phoenix Open (PGA)
  • T3 – Farmers Insurance Open (PGA)
  • MC – The American Express (PGA)
  • T70 – Sony Open in Hawaii (PGA)
  • T10 – Korn Ferry Tour Championship (KFT)

• 2023: Tony Finau
  • T31 – RBC Heritage (PGA)
  • T26 – Masters Tournament (MAJ)
  • T17 – WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play (PGA)
  • T19 – THE PLAYERS Championship (PGA)
  • T24 – Arnold Palmer Invitational (PGA)

• 2022: Jon Rahm
  • T27 – The Masters (MAJ)
  • T9 – WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play (PGA)
  • T55 – THE PLAYERS Championship (PGA)
  • T17 – Arnold Palmer Invitational (PGA)
  • T21 – The Genesis Invitational (PGA)

Previous Winners Finishes at Event:

2024: Jake Knapp

• Tournament Debut

2023: Tony Finau

2022: Jon Rahm

• Tournament Debut

Picks:

Outrights

Kurt Kitayama (+2200) – DraftKings

Ben Griffin (+3300) – FanDuel

Alex Smalley (+4000) – FanDuel

Michael Thorbjorsen (+6000) – FanDuel

Jesper Svensson (+6600) – BetMGM

Top 20 (Inc. Ties)

Nicolai Højgaard (+160) – DraftKings

Carson Young (+220) – DraftKings

Top 40 (Inc. Ties)

Aldrich Potgieter (+100) – BetMGM

Antoine Rozner (+115) – BetMGM

Best of luck, and as always you can find me on Twitter @GatorBetting and Instagram @Gator_Sports_Betting. Any feedback whether positive or negative is always encouraged.