Mayakoba Golf Classic

[DKW]

I know that this tournament is being held in Cancun from Feb. 18-24. Does anyone know much about this?

[mikelz]

I know that this tournament is being held in Cancun from Feb. 18-24. Does anyone know much about this?

This is its second year. Last year it was the same weekend as the L.A. Open (sorry corporate sponsor). Fred Funk won against a fairly weak field. http://www.pgatour.com/leaderboards/current/r457/index.html This year its purse is $3.5MM and has its own date. Look for it to be Tiger-free (probably forever). The WGC Match Play is the following week. I think this is a rest week for the top guys and a "get well" week for the other guys.

[nandoal28]

This is its second year. Last year it was the same weekend as the L.A. Open (sorry corporate sponsor). Fred Funk won against a fairly weak field.

The Mayakoba Golf Classic at Riviera Maya-Cancun (Feb. 21-24)

SHARES next week with the Accenture Match Play (Feb. 20-24). The Mayakoba field will consist of players outside of the top 64 in the World.

[DKW]

Thanks for the info. I have access to a room down there, and don't know if I am going to attend. I'm sure the warm sun and tropical breezes would be wonderful. Do the top golfers have the option of going if they want to?

[themasteroncbs]

I believe Greg Norman is playing in this event, for what it's worth.

[nandoal28]

Do the top golfers have the option of going if they want to?

They have the option, but they won't. All of the "best" players will be in Tuscon.

[Crafty]

For those of you familiar with the Big Break, Brian Kontak received a sponor's exemption into the event because of winning the show. I am curious to see whether he will be able to make a cut in a PGA Tour event.

[mikelz]

The Mayakoba Golf Classic at Riviera Maya-Cancun (Feb. 21-24)

Wow. Dont' get old. It's a bitch. When I wrote that I was reading the tour schedule. I thought Feb 20-24 and Feb 21-24 were different weekends.

[mikelz]

Thanks for the info. I have access to a room down there, and don't know if I am going to attend. I'm sure the warm sun and tropical breezes would be wonderful. Do the top golfers have the option of going if they want to?

I would go even if the PGA's top money guys wont's be there.

I went to the Pensacola Open in 1987 (called the Centel Classic then). The only 'star' in the field was Hubert Green. It was a fun tournament. Small crowds. The players were very accessible. I spent most of my time following Green, Kratzert or Sindelar. If you follow someone specific, you'll be able to see most everything because there's only a front row. ( my pick would be Tommy Armour III for what that's worth )

[treekiller]

I believe Greg Norman is playing in this event, for what it's worth.

Greg Norman and his design team built the Mayakoba golf course. He will be there to promote his masterpiece. I had the opportunity to play Mayakoba last October. It was a blast! Beautifully course through the forest, mangroves and down to the beach for 7th and the signature par 3 15th hole. The course didn't play very long, but there is a lot of water and trees if you hit an arrant shot.

[Shindig]

The course didn't play very long, but there is a lot of water and trees if you hit an arrant shot.

This may explain why Fred Funk won. And, for what it's worth, courses like this are more fun to watch them play.

[Eore]

is this the tourney that big break winner brain Kontak is exempt into?

[mikelz]

is this the tourney that big break winner brain Kontak is exempt into?

Yep, he's in.

Full field at http://www.mayakobagolfclassic.com/players.php Now if you guys can help me pick four players out there for ESPN Best Ball Challenge I would be grateful. Compared to this thing, the Coal Valley Open looks like the Western Open.

[Cleveland Gunmetal]

Thanks for the info. I have access to a room down there, and don't know if I am going to attend. I'm sure the warm sun and tropical breezes would be wonderful. Do the top golfers have the option of going if they want to?

As if you need an excuse to go to Cancun!!! Go man... have a blast!

[Cleveland Gunmetal]

Now if you guys can help me pick four players out there for ESPN Best Ball Challenge I would be grateful

I'm not doing ESPN BB this year but had a team the past two years. If it's anything like the past couple of years I doubt you'll have any problems as far as salary. Probably can't even get to 50 even if you wanted to.

A few guys I like this week; Steve Marino, Bubba Watson, Matt Kuchar, Parker McLachlin, Joe Durant, Brian Gay, James Driscoll. Maybe Cameron Beckman or Joe Ogilvie but Ogilvie doesn't make enough birdies. Best ball I'd go with; Marino Watson Durant McLachlin Good luck!

[Shindig]

Yep, he's in.

Some good players in there. In what might be alphabetical order by the time I'm done: * Eric Axley won the 2006 Valero Texas Open, edging out Anthony Kim's debut performance. * Jose Coceres almost won this last year. * John Daly is John Daly. * Joe Durant is a repeat winner on the PGA Tour. * Kenneth Ferrie got a front-row viewing of Phil's Sunday performance at Winged Foot. * Nick Flanagan earned a battlefield promotion to the PGA Tour last year. * Carlos Franco is a repeat winner on the PGA Tour and on the international circuit. * Fred Funk is Fred Funk, and won this event last year. * Shigeki Maruyama once shot a 58 in competition. He has won several times on the PGA Tour and Japan Tour. * Shaun Micheel won the PGA Championship some time ago and finished second to Tiger in 2006. * Jin Park is going to be a good player one of these days. You watch and see. * Corey Pavin won the U.S. Open a few years ago and shot that front-9 26 in Summer '06 (not at Winged Foot, obviously). * Nicholas Thompson is a NWT standout from last year. His younger sister, Alexis, IIRC, was the youngest to qualify for the U.S. Women's Open. * Esteban Toledo has bounced between the tours lately. He also pulled two women out of a burning car on the freeway a few weeks ago, I think. * Omar Uresti won the Wente Vineyards tournament on the NWT last year. * Bubba Watson has a pink shaft in his driver. You can see it a mile away. This is important, because that's about how far he can hit a golf ball with it. * Jay Williamson played his way onto the PGA Tour last year. His performances included losing a playoff to Hunter Mahan. * Dean Wilson is, technically, the reigning International champion and the last person to win a Stableford event on the PGA Tour. * Y.E. Yang is also a top player internationally, although in his first full year on the PGA Tour. Alternates: * Notah Begay III was a buddy of Tiger's at Stanford and has had a pretty good career himself.

[Lefty39]

I think Corey Pavin as a good chance at the Mayakoba Golf Classic, he played really well at pebble beach, and the course is not that long.

[Shindig]

Larry Mize is near the top of the leaderboard at Greg Norman's course. Has he no shame?

(just kidding about the shame! But when I saw his name at the top, my first thought was to wonder how Greg Norman would feel about it)

Seriously, the mix near the top, even not so far into the tournament, looks like this could be exciting too. The way the upsets have been going lately, it could be more exciting than Sunday at the Match Play.