Golf Betting Picks: Mayakoba Golf Classic
Golf is back in the North American following a month’s worth of tournaments in Asia. This week it’s the Mayakoba Golf Classic, formerly known as the OHL Classic at Mayakoba. Join us as we take a quick look at the course, past winners, odds across the sports betting industry and our favorite golf betting picks for the Mayakoba Golf Classic.
If you’re looking for general golf betting tips, please refer to our PGA golf betting guide.
Mayakoba Golf Classic Course — El Camaleon Golf Club
- Par 71
- 6,987 Yards
- Field: 132 golfers (Top 65 plus ties make the cut)
El Camaleon Golf Club is a seaside venue in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico. The location invites the elements, such as coastal winds and rain, to impact play. Though wind and rain are no strangers to El Cameleon, the course often yields winning scores of nearly 20-under thanks to its short length. The lack of distance places a premium on accuracy, giving shorter hitters a real chance to walk away winners on Sunday.
Mayakoba Golf Classic — Past Winners
Speaking of winners, take a look at past champions that are in the field this week and their odds to win again.
- 2018 – Matt Kuchar +2800
- 2017 – Patton Kizzire +13500
- 2016 – Pat Perez +5500
- 2015 Graeme McDowell +6500
- 2015 – Charley Hoffman +11000
- 2014 – Harris English +4000
- 2008 – Brian Gay +7000
Matt Kuchar returns to defend his title at the same place that caused quite a firestorm for the veteran last season. Kuchar infamously tipped his substitute caddie, a worker at El Camaleon, well below average after shooting 22-under to win the Mayakoba Classic in 2018 and adding over $1M to his bank account. After criticism and jeers surrounded Kuchar the following weeks, Kuchar eventually coughed up more cash for the caddie known as “El Tucan.” The course obviously sets up well for Kuchar, but I’m staying away from backing him this week.
Golf Betting Picks at the Mayakoba Golf Classic
Abraham Ancer +2800 – Born near the border of Mexico in McCallen, Texas and later raised in Reynosa, Mexico, this is as close to a home crowd as Ancer will have behind him. Off the heels of his first President’s Cup invitation (International team), Ancer is playing with all of the confidence in the world; no longer timid and trying to adjust to Tour life, the former Oklahoma Sooner is coming off a fourth-place finish at the HSBC Champions. In August, Ancer was runner up at The Northern Trust. The 28-year-old has a 21st and 9tn his last two appearances at Mayakoba. He’s primed to raise the hardware this time back home in Mexico.
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Emiliano Grillo +3500 – As Kyle Porter of CBS points out, Grillo is the all-time strokes gained leader at El Camaleon. The Argentinian has two top 10 finishes along with last year’s 15th-place finish. Grillo doesn’t enter with great form, missing two of his last five cuts dating back to late September. Grillo is plenty comfortable at this course, and if he can just get some putts to fall — a lot to ask, I know — he has the game to end up in the winner’s circle.
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Harris English +5000 – In our list of past winners is Harris English, whose last professional win came at El Camaleon in 2013. English has experienced his fair share of struggles since, including a stretch of missing seven straight cuts in the summer of 2018, but he finally looks to be turning the corner. Most recently, English has a 4th, 6th, and 3rd in three of his last four events. English gained over 10 strokes in each of those tournaments with a healthy dose of strokes gained tee to green. His current form coupled with his experience in Playa Del Carmen, this is one of my favorite bets on the board.
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Chez Reavie +5500 (DK)- I’m a sucker for Reavie, especially at courses like this and in weaker fields. It paid off last June. We’re getting similar odds with Reavie as we did when we cashed him as the winner at the Travelers Championship. Reavie is no. 5 in strokes gained tee-to-green, no. 6 in strokes gained ball-striking, and no. 5 in strokes gained approach. He also has solid course history here, including a 4th in 2016.
Brian Gay +7000 (DK) – Another former winner, it’s been over a decade since Gay won in Playa Del Carmen, but the 47-year-old enters the week in great form. Albeit a weak field, Gay found himself on the metaphorical podium at the Bermuda Championship. Before that, Gay made five cuts in a row and finished 7th at the Shriners. If Gay, who only averages 280 yards off the tee, is going to win again, it’ll be at a course like El Camaleon that doesn’t require 300-yard drives every other hole. He may not find a better opportunity all season.
Harold Varner +7000 (DK) – With drives averaging over 306 yards, Varner certainly isn’t a short hitter. But that itch to hit the ball out of orbit gets him into trouble from time to time. Varner has a 6th and 5th at El Camaleon while driving the ball a bit shorter. He’s only missed two cuts since the PGA Championship. Varner has the talent and form to contend in this weaker field.
My Mayakoba Golf Classic Betting Card
Abraham Ancer +2800
Emiliano Grillo +3500
Harris English +5000
Chez Reavie +5500
Brian Gay +7000
Harold Varner +7000
Each bet is for 1 unit. Risking 6 units total for the tournament.
Image Credit: USA Today Sports Images