OHL Classic at Mayakoba – Picks, Sleepers & Preview
OHL Classic at Mayakoba – Daily Fantasy Sports Preview
Tee it Up and Play
Back to just one event on the PGA tour this week, with the OHL Classic at Mayakoba from Mexico. It would be a big surprise if the finish to this week’s tournament is as dramatic as last week’s WGC event in China, when Bubba Watson holed from the bunker for an eagle and a place in the playoff against Tim Clark. Watson then holed a long putt at the first playoff hole to win the title.
The Field
It would be fair to say that that this final tournament before the winter break is not particularly star studded. Defending champion Harris English tees up along with last year’s runner up Chris Stroud, while early season winners Ben Martin and Robert Streb also tee up. Carlos Ortiz leads the Mexican contingent.
The Course
The tournament is played at the El Camaleón course which is 6,987 yards long and has a par of 71. The course was designed by Greg Norman and plays alongside the Riviera Maya.
Past Tournaments
Last year Harris English won the tournament by four shots from both Brian Stuard and Chris Stroud, a 62 in round two paving the way to victory for English. In 2012, John Huh stormed through the field on the Sunday with a 63 and claimed a playoff spot against Robert Allenby, who had squandered a two shot lead standing on the 72nd tee. The playoff would last eight holes and Huh was eventually victorious when Allenby bogeyed. Other winners of the event are Johnson Wagner, Cameron Beckman, Mark Wilson, Brian Gay and Fred Funk.
Eight Picks
Robert Streb – Streb is a player who is bang in form right now. His last five events have seen him finish in the top ten four times, one of those a win at the McGladrey Classic. His world ranking currently sits at a career high of 87, and he will enter this week thinking another win could be on the cards.
Charles Howell III – Howell III is not the same player he was a few years back, however he still has a very solid game – the last three years has seen him make the cut 68 times from 88. Where he struggles is making an impact at the weekend, but the last three events have seen him finish in the top twenty twice. He also has form at this event, finishing 6th and 16th in the last two tournaments.
Will MacKenzie – MacKenzie is an up and down player who it has to be said misses his fair share of cuts. However, right now he is in top form with four made cuts in a row including a second place at the McGladrey Classic. Last year he played well at this event with four rounds in the 60’s to finish 12th.
Brian Stuard – Stuard has had a disappointing start to the season, kicking off with three straight missed cuts. He turned this around last week when finishing 13th a fortnight ago at the CIMB classic. What makes him a pick this week is his 2nd place at this event last year.
John Huh – Huh won this tournament in 2012 and finished 23rd last year. He is another player who can be both hot and cold, with many missed cuts but has the ability to finish in contention on a Sunday as shown by two third place finishes this year. Huh is a player who seems to play better in the weaker field events.
David Hearn – Hearn has started this PGA tour season very well, finishing 68th, 7th and 14th in his three starts so far. Hearn is a very solid player who makes the cut around 75% of the time, so you’ll be confident this player will earn you points in all four rounds this week.
Hudson Swafford – Sleeper Swafford has started the new PGA tour season extremely well, with three top twenty finishes in his opening four events. He also finishes in the top twenty five in the final three events of the Web.com tour finals previous to that. Another solid finish would make Swafford a great value pick this week.
Carlos Ortiz – Sleeper Ortiz won three events on the Web.com tour last year which earned him his PGA tour card. His start to the season has been solid, with three made cuts from three. This week is interesting, as it will see this Mexican player play at home on the PGA tour for the first time and he will surely have the backing of much of the crowd, especially if in contention.
The Betting
Harris English is the early favorite for this event, but to say this event is wide open is something of an understatement. Ben Martin, Chris Stroud, Charles Howell III, Robert Streb, Will MacKenzie, Brian Stuard and Kevin Stadler are all seen to be in contention; however you’ll be able to receive odds of at least 20/1 on all players apart from English.
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