The PGA Tour returns to the site of one of last season’s biggest controversies involving Matt Kuchar and his stand-in caddie ‘El Tucan’. But you’ve heard enough about that. Here are my Mayakoba Golf Classic betting tips and preview…
The details
Venue: El Camaleon Golf Club, Playa Del Carmen, Mexico
Date: November 14-17, 2019
Course stats: Par-71, 6,987 yards
Course summary: A fairly short layout which is set on the Mexican coast. Low scoring is a regular occurrence here unless the wind gets up.
Purse: $7,200,000
Defending champion: Matt Kuchar (-22)
Mayakoba Golf Classic betting tips: Who will win?
Abraham Ancer (30/1 with bet365) is yet to get over the line on the PGA Tour but there were plenty of occasions last season when he came close.
With a place on the International Presidents Cup team secured, Ancer will be looking for a big week in his home country and has had success here in the past.
He recorded a top 10 finish two years ago and tied for 21st last time out. His recent form has been good with his best performance of the season coming last time out at the WGC in China where he finished tied for 4th.
Russell Knox (30/1) has one of the strongest records at this event in recent years without sealing a win.
He missed last year’s staging but before that recorded three consecutive top 10 finishes with his best a tied second in 2015 when Graeme McDowell won.
The Scot knows how to get the job done on the PGA Tour but hasn’t done so since 2016 despite playing plenty of good golf.
Knox has only teed it up once in the last four weeks but his recent form is positive. A tied 28th at the Houston Open has been backed up by a T11 at the Bermuda Championship so he’s in good shape to continue his strong run of form here.
Danny Lee (50/1) still has a lot of potential yet to fill. He has been a solid performer on the PGA Tour in recent seasons with his sole victory coming a the 2015 Greenbrier.
The New Zealand star struggled to get going in the opening events of the 2020 season but found some brilliant form as the PGA Tour spent some time in Asia and looks a good each-way prospect this week.
His most recent finish is a tied 10th at the Zozo Championship which backed up his solo 2nd at the CJ Cup the week prior.
He recorded his best finish at this event in 2018 when shooting 6-under on Sunday to finish just one shot back of champion Kuchar.
Mayakoba Golf Classic betting tips: Outside shot
Chris Kirk (150/1) could be an interesting outsider having recently opened up about personal struggles and returns to the PGA Tour seemingly in a good place.
The American took time away from the game and has not teed it up on the PGA Tour since the Zurich Classic in April.
He has had a top 10 finish at this tournament on the past but this is an unpredictable return so a small each-way stake would be advised.
For the latest prices, visit bet365.
