The four World Golf Championship events sit just below golf’s majors in terms of prestige. Given that three of the majors take place in America, there’s long been a clamour for the WGCs to spread their wings a bit. We already have the WGC Champions in Shanghai and as of last year we had a WGC in Mexico. For those not exactly enamoured with the US President, there is a pleasing irony that this new Mexican event replaced the WGC tournament formerly hosted at the Trump-owned Doral.
Last year’s tournament was a high class affair eventually won by Dustin Johnson and while DJ is back to defend his title, several big names have decided against making the trip to Club de Golf Chapultepec in Mexico City. Still, there’s plenty of quality left in the 65 man field so we should be in store for another thrilling renewal.
Who Will Win?
There’s a two way duel for favouritism in the first WGC event of the calendar year with Dustin Johnson and Justin Thomas available between 6/1 and 8/1. Both men are winning for fun at the minute and both took to the course last year so their favouritism is understandable.
On first viewing, Club de golf Chapultepec is a tight, tree-lined course. You’d think that driving accuracy would be absolutely vital but the effects of altitude change things. With the benefit of the ball flying around 15% further through the air, the big hitters can pretty much fly most of the trouble. From there it’s about quality wedge play and getting to grips with the fast, sloped Poa Annua greens. Tune in this week and you’ll see plenty of birdies and eagles but also more missed short putts than normal.
The idea that this is a second shot golf course was given credence last year by the performance of Tommy Fleetwood. At that time, the Englishman was relatively unknown in America and the way he challenged the best in the world at triple figure odds was a real shock.
Far from being unexpected, a Fleetwood charge this time around is almost a certainty following his stellar play on both the PGA and European Tours in the last year. In fact, the best odds you’ll get on Fleetwood are the 18/1 that Bet365 are quoting. That’s still a good price if he wins though and he certainly looks to have the bit between his teeth so back him to get the better of his more illustrious opponents.
Betting Tip – Tommy Fleetwood at 18/1 with Bet365
Outsiders and Each Way Tips
The fact that Phil Mickelson finished in the top 10 at last year’s WGC Mexico Championship tells you all you need to know about the importance of driving accuracy at Golf Club de Chapultepec. Lefty hit it in some wild places but was able to recover thanks to his incredible short game and putting. On the back of some of his best form for a while, Mickelson has a chance to at least go close again in Mexico so back him each way at 25/1 with Ladbrokes.
Thomas Pieters is another man who’s playing well at the moment. He’s struggled to put four rounds together but after another promising display in Florida last week he too looks a decent each way option at 40/1 with Coral.