Last week world’s No. 1 Scottie Scheffler made his post-Masters return in New Orleans.
This week, the new world’s No. 2, Jon Rahm, makes his post-Masters return in Mexico.
Rahm is the only player from the world’s top 10 in the field at the new event — the Mexico Open. The field is skinny on big names but perhaps the man who will draw the biggest galleries is Tequila company co-owner Abraham Ancer. Ancer got into the business with a friend and together they produce Flecha Azul. Ancer is a tequila lover. “I can throw down, for my size, some tequila and the next day, 7:00 in the morning,” he said, explaining his love of the adult beverage native to Mexico. “I’m hitting balls and I’m completely fine, which is amazing. If you mix it with some sugar, or other drinks, yeah, you’re going to be messed up.”
After Rahm and Ancer, it’s a search for big names. Saudi-rumor avoiding Kevin Na is showing up along with Gary Woodland. Aaron Rai proved he’s a good team player last week in New Orleans but this week the first-year PGA Tour guy who won on the DP World Tour, is on his own.
The event is being staged at Vidanta Vallarta, a par 71, 7,456 yard layout. Ironically, it’s a Greg Norman design and considering Norman’s current persona-not-grata status with the PGA Tour, it’s an interesting selection of venues.
There is plenty of room to drive the golf ball but the greens are protected by huge bunker complexes. The Ameca River borders the course and it has views of the Sierra Madre mountains on every hole.
There will be a lot of eyes on Rahm. With the U.S. Open less than two months away, Rahm still hasn’t won on the PGA Tour since his 2021 U.S. Open victory.
3 Comments
baxter cepeda
There will be a lot of eyes on Ancer, and unless he really thinks tequila is good for you, this could be a big week for the Mexican.
Same with the Ortiz bros.
Also rooting for Tringale. Is he the best player not to win a Pro event ? We met this guy once. Stop me if you heard this before: he is one of the nice guys. He really is. And he is really good. He needs to find a win already. Good chance as any this week.
Bye this whole growing the game in puerto vallarta is NOt the same. They shouldn’t be at this resort course because Shark designed it. They shouldn’t be there because they should be at Chapultepec or someone real Mexican families can be inspired. This is going to turn into another Mayakoba or Bahamas; not nearly as many fans; at least that’s the assumption. But we will see.
All in know is that wgc Mexico even felt big time. This feels like another small time pga tour event.
Tom Edrington
Perhaps something you did not know: Back when Ricky bought his first house in Jupiter, a smaller one in a quiet neighborhood, Tringale and some mini-tour guys used to stay there — Ricky’s free frat house. At least now Tringale can afford his own pad! And Ricky’s moved into a mega-mansion on the river.
baxter cepeda
No I did not know that story. Just another example of why we want Rickie back.