Mayakoba Golf Classic Preview 2019

Mayakoba Golf Classic Preview 2019

Dates: November 11-17, 2019
Where: Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico
Course: El Camaleón Golf Club at the Mayakoba Resort
Par/Yards: 36-35—71/7,017
Field: 132
Defending champion:  Matt  Kuchar
Purse: $7,200,000 ($1,296,000 to winner)
FedExCup points: 500 to the winner
Format: 72-hole stroke play

For a list of Mayakoba Golf Classic Winners, follow the link.

Things to Know

• Former World No. 1 Jason Day returns to Mayakoba Golf Classic for first time since 2009
• Abraham Ancer returns as highest-ranked player from Mexico and first Mexican to make the Presidents Cup
• Nine-time winner Matt Kuchar looks to successfully defend a title for the first time on TOUR
• 12 Latin American players in the field, including six from Mexico
• Mayakoba Golf Classic became the first PGA TOUR co-sanctioned event to ever be contested outside of the United States and Canada in February of 2007
• 10th of a record 11 fall events on the 2019-20 PGA TOUR schedule – six of eight winners from the fall calendar of 2018-  19 qualified for the season-ending TOUR Championship
• El Camaleón Golf Club will play 7,017 yards, with the par-4 16^th hole lengthened by 30 yards to 515 yards

Mayakoba Golf Classic Preview — Notes on the field

• 2014 FedExCup champion Billy Horschel
• Six players who will compete in the 2019 Presidents Cup: Matt Kuchar, Tony Finau, Abraham Ancer, C.T. Pan, Jason Day, Joaquin Niemann
• Four winners of THE PLAYERS Championship: Si Woo Kim/2017, Jason Day/2016, Matt Kuchar/2012, Davis Love III/1992 & 2003
• 12 Latin American players:
  • Argentina (3): Fabian Gomez, Emiliano Grillo, Nelson Ledesma, Chile (1): Joaquin Niemann, Colombia (1): Sebastian Munoz, Mexico (6): Abraham Ancer, Roberto Diaz, Alvaro Ortiz, Carlos Ortiz, Jose de Jesus Rodriguez, Sebastian Vazquez, Venezuela (1): Jhonattan Vegas
  • Mexican-born Kristoffer Ventura, who represents Norway, is also in the field
• Major champions: Keegan Bradley, Jason Day, Jason Dufner, Zach Johnson, Davis Love III, Graeme McDowell
• Seven of the 11 past champions: Matt Kuchar (2018), Patton Kizzire (2017), Pat Perez (2016), Graeme McDowell (2015), Charley Hoffman (2014), Harris English (2013), Brian Gay (2008)
• Five winners from the 2019-20 PGA TOUR Season: Joaquin Niemann (A Military Tribute at The Greenbrier), Sebastian Munoz (Sanderson Farms Championship), Cameron Champ (Safeway Open), Lanto Griffin (Houston Open), Brendon Todd (Bermuda Championship)

A look back at the 2018 Mayakoba Golf Classic

Pos	Player	R1	R2	R3	R4	Total
1	Matt Kuchar	64	64	65	69	262 (-22)
2	Danny Lee	65	66	67	65	263 (-21)
T3	J.J. Spaun	69	65	65	66	265 (-19)
T3	Richy Werenski	65	66	67	67	265 (-19)
5	Brice Garnett	68	67	65	66	266 (-18)

• The victory marked Matt Kuchar’s eighth career PGA TOUR win at the age of 40 years, 4 months, 21 days
• Kuchar, who supplanted the previous tournament records for 36-, 54- and 72-hole score, earned his first victory since winning the 2014 RBC Heritage
• The win came in his fourth start at the event and was his second top-10 (T3/2008)
• For posting the best finish among the Mexican players, Armando Favela (T16) claimed the ‘Premio Mexico’ trophy

Current FedExCup standings

The top 10 in the FedExCup at the conclusion of the PGA TOUR Regular Season will be recognized through the Wyndham Rewards Top 10 program and be well-positioned entering the FedExCup Playoffs

Position	Player	Points	Wins	Top-10s	Points Behind	Starts	Projected Bonus
1	Lanto Griffin	737	1	1	—	6	$2 million
2	Rory McIlroy	713	1	2	24	2	$1.5 million
3	Justin Thomas	662	1	2	75	3	$1.2 million
4	Sebastian Munoz	627	1	2	110	5	$1.1 million
5	Kevin Na	603	1	1	134	5	$1 million
6	Sungjae Im	599	—	2	138	6	$850,000
7	Joaquin Niemann	587	1	1	150	5	$700,000
8	Hideki Matsuyama	566	—	2	171	5	$600,000
9	Cameron Champ	561	1	1	176	4	$550,000
10	Tiger Woods	500	1	1	237	1	$500,000

More on Defending Champion Matt Kuchar

• Making first start of the 2019-20 PGA TOUR Season
• Seeks to successfully defend a title on TOUR for the first time
• Making fifth appearance at Mayakoba Golf Classic (Won/2018, T68/2015, T3/2008, T18/2007)
• Went bogey-free on the front nine in all four rounds during his 2018 victory at Mayakoba
• First- and second-round 64s in 2018 tied his third-round 64 in 2008 as his low score in 16 trips around El Camaleón Golf Club
• One of nine players who has advanced to the FedExCup Playoffs all 13 seasons

Mayakoba Golf Classic Preview — Players In The Field

Jason Day

• 12-time PGA TOUR winner returns to Mayakoba Golf Classic for first time since 2009 (T28)
• Named by Ernie Els as captain’s pick for 2019 Presidents Cup International Team after failing to qualify on points
• Seeks first PGA TOUR title since 2018 Wells Fargo Championship
• Won MGM Resorts The Challenge: Japan Skins last month, defeating Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy and Hideki Matsuyama
• Former World No. 1 and 2015 PGA Championship winner

Abraham Ancer

• First player from Mexico to represent the International Team at the Presidents Cup
• Makes fifth consecutive start in the Mayakoba Golf Classic (T21/2018, T9/2017, T55/2016, MC/2015)
• T9 finish at 2017 Mayakoba Golf Classic joins Oscar Fraustro (2014) and Carlos Ortiz (2014) as best result of any Mexican players in the history of this event
• Finished T4 in his most recent start at the 2019 World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions
• Advanced to the FedExCup Playoffs for second consecutive season, ending No. 21 in the FedExCup, helped by a runner-up result at THE NORTHERN TRUST, the first of three FedExCup Playoffs events
• Won 2018 Emirates Australian Open

Tony Finau

• Named by Tiger Woods as captain’s pick for 2019 Presidents Cup U.S. Team after failing to qualify on points
• Posted T9 at 2019 Shriners Hospitals for Children Open, his lone top-10 in three starts this season
• Making fourth start at Mayakoba Golf Classic (2014/T7, 2016/MC, 2018/T16)
• Finished No. 45 or better in the FedExCup each season since becoming a PGA TOUR member (43/2015, 45/2016, 19/2017, 6/2018, 7/2019)

Joaquin Niemann

• Winner of 2019 A Military Tribute at The Greenbrier, becoming first player from Chile to win on the PGA TOUR
• Became third player born outside the United States to win on the PGA TOUR before turning 21 in the last 95 years, joining Seve Ballesteros and Rory McIlroy
• Named by Ernie Els as captain’s pick for 2019 Presidents Cup International Team after failing to qualify on points
• In five starts this season his opening-round scoring average is 67.00
• In his first season as a full-time PGA TOUR member in 2018-19, qualified for the FedExCup Playoffs and advanced to the BMW Championship, ending the season at No. 67 in the FedExCup standings
• Finished T60 at 2018 Mayakoba Golf Classic, his lone appearance at this event
• Former No. 1 ranked amateur in the world won the 2018 Latin America Amateur Championship before turning professional

Sebastian Munoz

• Following a T7 at the season-opening A Military Tribute at The Greenbrier, claimed his first PGA TOUR title at the 2019 Sanderson Farms Championship, defeating PGA TOUR Rookie of the Year Sungjae Im in a playoff
• Became first Colombian to win on TOUR since Camilo Villegas (2014 Wyndham Championship)

Cameron Champ

• Made first professional start at 2017 Mayakoba Golf Classic, missing the cut while playing on sponsor exemption
• Finished T10 at 2018 Mayakoba Golf Classic with four rounds in the 60s, including second-round 9-under 62
• Won 2018 Sanderson Farms Championship as a TOUR rookie and claimed second TOUR victory at 2019 Safeway Open, dedicating the win to his grandfather

Carlos Ortiz

• Earned 2014 Korn Ferry Tour Player of the Year honors after earning a three-win promotion that season
• Making sixth career start at the Mayakoba Golf Classic (T9/2014, MC/2015, T55/2016, T45/2017, MC/2018)
• Owns four career top-five finishes on TOUR (T3/2018 Sanderson Farms Championship, T5/2019 3M Open, T4/2019 Sanderson Farms Championship, T4/2019 Houston Open)

Kristoffer Ventura

• 24-year-old was born in Puebla, Mexico but represents Norway
• Former Oklahoma State University golfer won twice on Korn Ferry Tour in 2019 to earn PGA TOUR card (Utah Championship presented by Zions Bank, Pinnacle Bank Championship presented by Chevrolet)
• Shot four sub-70 rounds to finish T18 at 2019 Shriners Hospitals for Children Open; best result in nine starts on TOUR

Mayakoba Golf Classic Preview — Miscellaneous Notes

• FedExCup leader Lanto Griffin looks to extend his 24-point lead over Rory McIlroy and seeks to overtake RSM Birdies Fore Love leader Sungjae Im (not in the field).
• RSM Birdies Fore Love program awards the player with the most birdies (or better) during the Mayakoba Golf Classic a $50,000 donation to his charity of choice.
  • The  top three players who accumulate the most birdies (or better) in the fall, beginning with A Military Tribute at the Greenbrier and concluding with The RSM Classic, will be awarded $300,000, $150,000 and  $50,000, respectively, for charitable donations to children-  and/or family-focused organizations of the player’s choice.
  • In sits atop the standings with 115 birdies, three more than Griffin (112). Denny McCarthy, with 104 birdies, is the next-closest challenger in the field
• 2013 Mayakoba Golf Classic champion Harris English opened the 2019-20 PGA TOUR Season with three top-six results in four starts and sits No. 16 in the FedExCup standings; Posted all 16 rounds at par or better this season
• Scottie Scheffler, the 2019 Korn Ferry Tour Player of the Year, makes his first appearance at the Mayakoba Golf Classic
• Norway’s Viktor Hovland, who earned his PGA TOUR card for 2019-20 via the Korn Ferry Tour Finals, makes his second appearance at Mayakoba after missing the cut in 2018; At 2019 THE CJ CUP @ NINE BRIDGES, set a PGA TOUR record for most consecutive rounds in the 60s, with 19, two more than Bob Estes previous record set in 2001
• Charles Howell III has made eight cuts in 10 consecutive appearances (2009-18) at Mayakoba Golf Classic, with three top-10s (T4/2017, T7/2016, T6/2013); Owns a scoring average of 68.72 at El Camaleón GC (36 rounds) with last 15 rounds par or better
• Pat Perez has won the most career money at Mayakoba Golf Classic of any player – $1,688,329 in seven starts
• Davis Love III, 55-year-old PGA TOUR Life Member and World Golf Hall of Fame member with 21 TOUR titles, will play his 769th PGA TOUR event, fourth-most all time (803/Mark Brooks, 799/Jay Haas, 784/Dave Eichelberger)
• 25-year-old Scotsman Calum Hill makes second career PGA TOUR start after turning professional in 2017; Owns three European Challenge Tour victories (two in 2019) and finished 61st at 2018 U.S. Open
• Chris Stroud is the only player in the field who has competed in all 12 editions of the Mayakoba Golf Classic; With eight made cuts and four top-15 finishes, plus a withdrawal after an opening-round 70 in 2018, claimed consecutive top-five finishes in 2011 (4^th), 2012 (T5) and 2013 (T3)
• Nine aces have been scored in tournament history, with none coming in the weekend rounds; Two players, Keith Mitchell (2017) and Thomas Aiken (2015), have aced their opening hole of the Mayakoba Golf Classic, both beginning on Hole No. 10
• Four players won the Mayakoba Golf Classic in their first start in the event; Johnson Wagner (2011), John Huh (2012), Harris English (2013) and Fred Funk (2007, inaugural event)

• In 2018, the 36-hole cut at 4-under 138 marked the lowest cut in tournament history; The previous-low 36-hole cut was 3-under in 2014
• Tournament records: 61 (18-hole), 128 (36-hole), 193 (54-hole), 262 (72-hole)

Mayakoba Golf Classic Preview — Notes on Mexican Players

• With the best finish among the Mexican players in 2018, Armando Favela (T16) claimed the ‘Premio Mexico’ trophy
• Esteban Toledo (2007, 2008, 2009, 2012), Jose de Jesus Rodriguez (2009, 2012, 2018), Oscar Fraustro (2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018), Carlos Ortiz (2014, 2016, 2017), Rodolfo E. Cazaubon (2015), Abraham Ancer (2016, 2017, 2018), Roberto Diaz (2017) and Armando Favela (2018) are the only Mexicans to make the cut in the Mayakoba Golf Classic  in the 12-year history of the event
• Four Mexican players (Jose de Jesus Rodriquez, Oscar Fraustro, Abraham Ancer, Armando Favela) made the cut in the 2018 Mayakoba Golf Classic, the most in tournament history
• Cesar Sanudo and Victor Regalado are the only native Mexican golfers to win on the PGA TOUR. Regalado won the 1974 Pleasant Valley Classic and 1978 Ed McMahon-Jaycees Quad Cities Open (John Deere Classic). Sanudo won the 1970 Azalea Open Invitational

Mexican golfers who have/had membership on the PGA TOUR

Player	Year(s) On Tour	Hometown
Cesar Sanudo	1969	Navajoa
Victor Regalado	1973	Tijuana
Rafael Alarcon	1983	Guadalajara
Esteban Toledo	1998	Mexicali
Alex Aragon	2006	Mexico City
*Carlos Ortiz	2014-15	Guadalajara
Oscar Fraustro	2014-15	Mexico City
Roberto Diaz	2017-18	Veracruz
*Abraham Ancer	2015-16	Reynosa
Jose de Jesus Rodriguez	2018-19	Irapuarto
* Currently On Tour

Charity

Since its inception in 2007, the tournament has contributed more than $2.7 million to a variety of charities and philanthropic causes, positively impacting the communities of Cancun and Playa del Carmen

The Mayakoba Golf Classic Preview 2019 is via PGA TOUR