Mexico Open PGA Course Preview

Vidante Vallarte

Hey there, fellow golf enthusiasts, it’s Josh Thomas here, and today we’re venturing south of the border for an in-depth course preview of Vidanta Vallarte, home to the Mexico Open. This breathtaking course offers its own unique set of challenges that will test the world’s best golfers as they battle it out for the title. But we’re not just here to talk about the course; we’re going to dive into the world of PGA DFS and analyze how these challenges can help you construct a winning lineup for the Mexico Open. So, buckle up, grab a margarita, and let’s explore the beauty and intricacies of Vidanta Vallarte!

The Course:

Nestled in the picturesque setting of Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico, this stunning course offers golfers a unique blend of challenge and beauty, making it an ideal venue for the Mexico Open.

Designed by renowned golf course architect Greg Norman, Vidanta Vallarte showcases his signature style, incorporating the natural beauty of the surroundings with a strategic and challenging layout. Spread across nearly 7,000 yards, this par-72 course winds through lush tropical landscapes, offering breathtaking views of the Sierra Madre Mountains and the Pacific Ocean.

Some notable features of Vidanta Vallarte include:

1. Wide Fairways: The course is known for its wide fairways, which benefit long hitters. The rough is paspalum and not very penal, this course is essentially a ‘Bombers Paradise’.
2. Water Hazards: Vidanta Vallarte incorporates several water hazards into its design, including lakes, streams, and ponds, which can come into play on many holes. Players must be mindful of these hazards as they plot their strategy around the course.
3. Large, Undulating Greens: One of the defining characteristics of Vidanta Vallarte is its large, undulating greens. These can prove challenging to navigate and will test even the best putters on Tour. Golfers with a strong putting game and good green-reading skills will have an edge on the field.
4. Bunkers and Green-side Protection: Many of the greens at Vidanta Vallarte are well protected by bunkers and other hazards, making accurate approach shots essential. Golfers who excel in their iron play and bunker skills will fare better on this course.
5. Wind: Given its coastal location, wind can be a significant factor during the tournament. Players who can control their ball flight and perform well in windy conditions will be at an advantage. Will typically see more wind in the afternoon.

In summary, Vidanta Vallarte offers a fantastic golfing experience that combines natural beauty, strategic design, and a range of challenges. Golfers competing in the Mexico Open will need to be on top of their game and adapt to the varying conditions to find success on this remarkable course.

Tournament Set-up: 

Par: 35-36—71

Yardage: 7,456

Stimpmeter: 11.5

Course Statistics

Average Green Size: 7000 sq. ft.

Number of Sand Bunkers: 106

Number of Holes Water is in Play: 12

Paspalum is the surface from tee to green.

Links to DFS Army Tools

• PGA Research Station – Every single stat you could want for this week’s event!
• PGA Cheatsheets – Notes on all the viable players in the field
• PGA Domination Station – One-click Optimized Lineups in Seconds

Keys to Success 

Strokes Gained

In DFS golf, strokes gained is one of the most important metrics for evaluating player performance. At Vidanta Vallarte, you’ll want to focus on players who excel in the following categories:

1. 1. Strokes Gained: Off-the-Tee (SG:OTT) – Players who can drive the ball long and straight will have an advantage on this course.
   2. Strokes Gained: Approach (SG:APP) – Precision iron play will be essential to navigate the large, well-protected greens.
   3. Strokes Gained: Putting (SG:P) – The undulating greens at Vidanta Vallarte will reward players with a strong putting game.

Key Stats

When analyzing players for the Mexico Open, keep an eye on these stats:

1. Driving Distance (DD) – Longer hitters will have an advantage on some of the longer holes at Vidanta Vallarte.
2. Greens in Regulation (GIR) – Hitting greens consistently will be crucial for scoring opportunities and avoiding bogeys.
3. Scrambling – A strong short game will come in handy when players miss the greens, helping them save par.

Course History

Course history can be a useful indicator of how well a player might perform at a particular event. Because this course has only hosted a PGA tour event once, it can be a bit more difficult. The results from last year are below and we will see if we can find any inklings to strategy based on the top 5.

Bombers, bombers, bombers. That’s what I take from that leaderboard. If you can get it out there and find some semblence of a short game then you can go low. We also saw that even if you don’t start super hot you can get there on the weekend, like Tony Finau did.

DFS Strategy

When constructing your DFS lineup for the Mexico Open, consider the following tips:

1. 1. Emphasize recent form: Golfers entering the tournament in good form may be more likely to perform well at Vidanta Vallarte.
   2. Focus on course fit: Look for players whose game suits the demands of Vidanta Vallarte, including strong drivers and precise iron players.
   3. Seek value and low ownership: In DFS, finding value and low-owned players can help set your lineup apart from the competition. Look for golfers who may be underpriced or overlooked based on their skill set and course fit.

 

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Weather:

Weather can always plays a role here, and while it can change quickly right now it appears to be PERFECT.

Final Thoughts:

The field this week, while not stacked, is fun and it’s always interesting to see how guys do on a newish course. I will break it all down for our VIPs with my weekly PGA Cheatsheets! Good luck this week!!

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