Tournament: 

Get ready for the Mexico Open's third round at the stunning Vidanta Vallarta, designed by Greg Norman in 2015. Forget what you know about golf courses – this one's got lengthy par 4s and 5s, but it's not as tough as it seems, thanks to its player-friendly design. The PGA Tour heads south of the border to Nuevo Vallarta, where the Mexico Open, officially part of the tour since 2022, doesn't draw big names, and this year is no different. Defending champ Tony Finau is the highest-ranked at 24, among just four top-50 players. Vidanta, known for its forgiving fairways and laid-back Paspalum greens, is surprisingly one of the tour's easiest, even with its big yardage. The 132-player field faces a 7,456-yard, par 71 challenge, favoring the big hitters. With a more spread-out DraftKings slate, Finau's the pricey favorite, but keep an eye on his putting game. It's a wide-open competition, making betting choices interesting in this less star-studded event.

Course Breakdown:

Vidanta Vallarta, a par 71 golf course stretched over 7,456 yards, got a facelift ahead of hosting the PGA TOUR. They tacked on 250 extra yards and sprinkled in 51 new bunkers, spicing things up. Since opening in 2015, it's been hugging the Ameca River, treating golfer's to Sierra Madres views on every swing. Despite being armed with 106 bunkers, the fairways are all smiles, but players splitting eight of them a round lose their accuracy edge. Scoring Is not a cakewalk with Vidanta clocking in three of the toughest 50 holes last season, yet the average score was 70.097, so red numbers aren't strangers. The rough's a bit fluffier this year at 2½ inches, adding some defense. The greens are a tad slower at 11 feet due to an earlier calendar date. This resort-style Par 71 has six par 5s for the regular folks and is all about tropical vibes. To reach the place, players need to cross a giant river on a suspension bridge, adding a dash of adventure. The course flaunts six man-made mini-lakes and over 100 bunkers, giving it a wild twist. Compared to other Norman-designed courses, Vidanta plays like the pumped-up cousin of El Camaleón. The winning score in 2022 was 17-under par, showing some love to the big hitters, with longer drivers making waves in the top 10. Around-the-green skills take a backseat, and thanks to good weather, expect higher GIR %'s. The Paspalum greens play slow, helping out the shaky putters. If you're scouting for contenders, focus on the power hitters and check out how they've fared on similar setups like TPC Twin Cities, The Renaissance Club, and Coco Beach.

Field: 

The PGA Tour is going international this week with the Mexico Open at Vidanta. After the big Genesis Invitational and before the Florida swing, the Mexico Open isn't packed with star players. Defending champ Tony Finau is the highest-ranked at 24, and only Nicolai Hojgaard (34) and Emiliano Grillo (40) make the top 40. Despite the lack of big names, there's 500 FedEx Cup points and $8.1 million on the line, making it a chance for lower-ranked players to make a splash. The field includes young talents like Hojgaard and first-year PGA TOUR members. With only four top 50 players, the Mexico Open may not be star-studded, but it's still a 144-man competition with room for surprises in this diverse lineup.

Stats To Know

Top SG: Putting Targets

  • Hayden Springer - 1st on Tour
  • Pierceson Coody -  4th on Tour
  • Chesson Hadley - 5th on Tour
  • Justin Suh - 6th on Tour
  • Trace Crowe - 8th on Tour

Top SG: Off The Tee Targets

  • Cameron Champ - 1st on Tour
  • Keith Mitchell - 4th on Tour
  • Patton Kizzire - 6th on Tour
  • Alejandro Tosti - 7th on Tour
  • Carl Yuan - 10th on Tour

Top SG: Approach Targets

  • Tony Finau - 7th on Tour
  • Carson Young - 8th on Tour
  • Chez Reavie - 9th on Tour
  • Andrew Novak - 10th on Tour
  • Mark Hubbard - 13th on Tour

Best Course History

  • Tony Finau - A Win & 2nd Place (2 of 2 Cuts)
  • Patrick Rodgers - 2 Top 10s (2 of 2 Cuts)
  • Emiliano Grillo - 1 Top 5 (2 of 2 Cuts)
  • Stephan Jaeger - 1 Top 15 & 1 Top 20 (2 of 2 Cuts)
  • Carson Young - A Top 15 (1 of 1 Cut)

My Best Bets (7-11 Overall, 0.65 Units)

  • Taylor Pendrith Top 20 (+130)
  • Emiliano Grillo Top 20 (+130)
  • Carson Young Top 30 (+175)

One & Done Play

  • Keith Mitchell

Core Plays

Top Price

Tony Finau ($12,000)

Tony Finau's on fire in the golf circuit, rocking a T2-Win streak since 2022. His recent rounds boast a killer 64.83 scoring average, and he's bagged victory once and stayed consistently in the top five over the last two appearances. Making the cut in his last two outings and snagging the first position in 2023, Finau's eyeing his 10th straight cut. With a top-10 finish and two top-20s in the bag from the last three games, he's no pushover. Sure, his 2024 results might not scream success, but his game from tee to green is top-notch, gaining 13.57 strokes on Approach and 6.4 strokes OTT in the last three. As the defending champ, Finau's set to bring the heat, making him a must-watch in this upcoming tournament.

Nicolai Hojgaard ($10,700)

Nicolai Højgaard is a solid pick for your One-and-Done (OAD) lineup, sitting as the second favorite in the field. Even though he's up against the big guns in signature events and major championships, his undeniable talent makes him a smart choice. In the last six months, he's nailed five top-five finishes, including a standout performance at Torrey Pines against a tough PGA field. Bagging a win in a competitive European Tour event and securing a Ryder Cup qualification, Højgaard is proving he's a force to be reckoned with. With 13 consecutive paydays worldwide, including a victory, he's a consistent threat on the PGA TOUR. His debut last year was impressive, leading the field in proximity, showcasing his potential to shine on golf's big stage. For a laid-back but strategic OAD selection, keep your eye on Højgaard.

Thomas Detry ($10,100)

Thomas Detry is killing it in golf this season, scoring top-20 finishes at the Farmers Insurance Open and AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. The big-hitting Belgian is now gearing up for Vidanta Vallarta, a course that plays to his strengths with powerful drives and killer long iron play. Even though it's his first time at Vidanta Vallarta, his solid history on similar courses like Corales, where he nailed three top-15 finishes, bodes well. Riding high on three back-to-back top-30 results, including a standout performance at Torrey Pines, the 31-year-old is set for success. Currently 27th in the FedExCup and rocking a cool T4 at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, Detry's second season on the PGA TOUR is shaping up to be a powerful one.

Mid Price

Taylor Pendrith ($9,600)

Taylor Pendrith is a go-to guy for me on those big, driver-heavy golf courses, and Vidanta Vallarta is just the spot. He's rocking the top 25 in carry distance, strokes gained/off the tee, approach play, and fairway proximity from 175-plus yards. Fresh from a cool ninth-place finish at Torrey Pines, where he nailed it in all major categories, Pendrith's got the groove going. With five top-15 results in his last seven rounds, including a sweet T9 at Torrey Pines, he's my pick. The big Canadian tends to shine in tropical spots, and he did well here last year. Plus, his game at venues like Detroit Golf Club and Torrey Pines lines up with the big shots. Keep an eye on Pendrith, especially after his slick 5.1 strokes putting at the Sony Open on slower greens.

Davis Thompson ($8,900)

PGA TOUR's Davis Thompson is on fire in his sophomore season, hitting a 3-for-4 streak with two top 25 finishes, including a solid T15 at the WM Phoenix Open. The former world No. 1 amateur player from the University of Georgia is making waves with his power, precision, and putting skills in his tournament debut. Fresh off a 15th-place finish in Scottsdale, Thompson heads to the 2024 Mexico Open at Vidanta Vallarta with +3500 odds to win. Ranking top-12 in SG/off the tee and approach proximity from 200-plus yards, he's geared up for success. Thompson's consistent game and strong skills make him a top contender for the event happening in Vallarta, Mexico.

Alejandro Tosti ($7,800)

At $7,800 this week, Alejandro Tosti is gearing up for some action. He rocked the Korn Ferry Tour in 2023 and nailed a cool T10 at this spot last year. Now, his recent form might not scream "superstar" with an average finish of 57th in the last three gigs, but he's been making the weekend cut in two out of three tournaments. Sure, he hasn't snatched a win or gone super low lately, but he's got this consistent below-par mojo going on. Tosti's got the length off the tee and a habit of hitting top-five scores in two of his last eight rounds. Despite some iffy iron plays, the dude's past record and potential make him a wild card worth keeping an eye on this week.

Value Price

Vincent Norrman ($7,600)

Vincent Norrman's got the skills to rock Vidanta Vallarta, bagging wins on both the PGA and DP World Tour. Check this out: he's a top 15 guy in carry distance, strokes gained off the tee, and more. Last year, he nailed an 18th place at Vallarta, acing it in all the major categories. The 26-year-old Swede's a big hitter and a steal on the slate. Sure, his putting been a bit off, but the slow Paspalum greens might cut him some slack. With two recent wins and a track record at Vallarta, Norrman's looking like a top bet for victory in a field that's a bit short on star power.

Sam Stevens ($7,100)

Big hitters have the upper hand at Vidanta Vallarta, and Stevens is a solid bet among them. Ranking top 25 for hitting it long, managing tricky fairways, and acing long-range shots on Paspalum courses, he's got the skills for this. Despite a 28th place in rough weather at the Waste Management, the 27-year-old is set to surprise this week. Hoping for his fifth straight weekend play, Stevens hasn't cracked the top 20 in the last three outings, averaging 45th. But, he's had some good rounds lately, finishing below par twice in his last four. Making his Vidanta debut, the guy's in good shape, especially after his T28 at TPC Scottsdale. Watch out for Stevens and his powerful driver on this unique course.

Justin Lower ($6,100)

Justin Lower's been on a roll lately, making the cut in 11 out of his last 14 starts. But here's the kicker – his finishes rarely crack the 25th spot. Despite that, he's become a hot pick for head-to-head betting, given that others in his odds range might not even make it to the weekend rounds. In his last stint at this event in 2022, he landed 64th and had a couple of rounds close to the leader. With four consecutive cuts made, averaging a 45th finish, Lower's keeping the momentum. Priced at $6.1K, he's a steal, excelling in slow-green putting and ranking top 10 in approach play. If you're eyeing a budget-friendly bet with serious upside, Lower's your guy this week.

Player Pool

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Stacks

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