Mayakoba is preparing for what may be the best edition in its history, and they assure that it will be worthy of the memory, for all that it represents for the sport.
With 15 years of history, the golf tournament (the first of the PGA Tour to be held outside the United States and Canada) is set to bring in seven of the best players in the world, led by Justin Thomas, number 7 in the world. , defending champion Viktor Hovland (No. 15) and Mexicans Abraham Ancer (No. 12) and Carlos Ortiz (No. 70) to play at El Camaleón field between November 4-7.
“It is a very special moment for the tournament as we celebrate 15 years and welcome our sponsor. I am very sure that it will be the best edition in our history, with young and veteran players who are part of the world top ”, commented Joe Mazzeo, director of the tournament, referring to the fact that the alliance with World Wide Technology for seven years will allow them to reach to horizons never seen before. “This year you will see a golf course in impeccable condition, this time we have had a couple of months with good weather, the rain has not been extreme like last year.”
Stars such as Tony Finau (No. 11 in the ranking), Harris English (No. 14), Tyrrell Hatton (No. 17) and Billy Horschel (No. 20) confirmed their attendance at the Riviera Maya.
For Hovland, who won in 2019, being part of such a monumental field is an honor and everyone will give one hundred percent to pursue the title.
“The truth is that it is wonderful that they are entering this support for seven years to ensure that this event is and continues to grow. I know that the autumn schedule is very important and the players are ready to compete, we are looking forward to it, “said the Norwegian golfer from a video call, who seems to feel comfortable in Latin America having a triumph in Puerto Rico, the first for him in PGA. “I have been to Latin America many times, two victories were there and in the other places I have been the people are wonderful, with spectacular fields and I think I play very well there.”
In fact, the young star recognizes that Mayakoba marked a before and after for him, allowing him to reach a good level and that ended up having an impact on his selection for Team Europe in the Ryder Cup.
“Before Mayakoba I was not at my best. I was working during the year and I wanted to show that I could play well, better. In Mayakoba I took my revenge and it was wonderful, I love this golf course; doing it gave me more confidence to play well and face some of the best golfers from around the world. “
In addition to Hovland, former Mayakoba champions such as Graeme McDowell, Brian Gay, John Huh, Charley Hoffman, Pat Perez, Patton Kizzire, Matt Kuchar, Brendon Todd and English himself will try to repeat the glory in the Mexican Caribbean.
As if this were not enough, the Spanish Sergio García, the English Justin Rose and the Swedish Henrik Stenson will play the tournament for the first time.
Of course, the decision was made not to sell tickets or allow capacity for the tournament, reserving attendance to a few guests, as part of the strict protocols of the circuit in the face of the pandemic, in a decision that “was not easy”, but was necessary to take care of fans and players, but there will be the Golf for All program, which will give children the opportunity to live with stars on the green.
“There have been challenges and obstacles, there are always in these tournaments. Fortunately we have a team that solves problems and prevents them. The challenge that we have been able to overcome is what happens in Mexico and golf ”, said the manager.
A champion Mexican?
Little by little, Mexico has approached the PGA Tour. Since the debut of Víctor Regalado in 1972 and the arrival of the professional circuit in our country in 2007, the first thought was to see Mexicans at the highest level of golf.
But now the sport has evolved and some of our compatriots have already won tournaments, such as Abraham Ancer (FedEx St. Jude Invitational) and Carlos Ortiz (Houston Open), so it is not unreasonable to think that they will get into the fight in the World Wide Technology Championship at Mayakoba.
“We are close to seeing a Mexican champion in Mayakoba. It is more than possible and I have to say that they are among the favorites to win, ”said Mazzeo.
In addition to Ortiz and Ancer, Mexicans Roberto Díaz, Juan Carlos Benítez and Juan Diego Fernández, the latter two who received exemptions by virtue of winning the qualifying events at Mayakoba Match Play.
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