First held in 1999, the WGC Mexico has led an interesting life. It’s been held at multiple courses in America and even three courses in Europe before taking root at Donald Trump’s Doral resort in Florida. Unfortunately for fans of that venue, the event organisers felt sufficiently concerned with some of Trump’s remarks during his presidential campaign that they decided to pull the plug on Doral and move the prestigious event to Mexico.
The irony of the decision to move the WGC Mexico to Club de Golf Chapultepec was not lost on Rory McIlroy who claimed the players would “jump the wall” to play this week. Indeed, all of the world’s best player (minus the ill Jason Day) are competing at the course in the mountainous area to the west of Mexico City.
When they arrive, the field will quickly have to come up with a strategy for the par 71 layout. Do they try to overpower the 7,330 yard course (it plays significantly shorter due to the effects of altitude) or do they try to plot their way around the tree-lined fairways before trying to hit their approach shots in nice and tight to the Bentgrass/Poa Annua grass greens? The quality of the players and caddies in attendance this week means we could be in for a fascinating battle of styles at the top of the leaderboard come Sunday.
Unfamiliar Greens to Help Rose
It is scary to think about how much Justin Rose would have already won in his career if his putting was as good as the rest of his game. The flat stick has let Rose down time and time again but he has still managed to be one of the best golfers in the world over the last decade.
Rose is a major champion and a previous winner of this event back in 2012. Given that the unfamiliarity of the greens will take the advantage away from the best putters this week, Rose should have a great chance of winning at 25/1 with Betfair.
Hot Oosthuizen Ready to Strike
Louis Oosthuizen’s recent form reads thus: T21-5-3-T41-9-T46-9. The South African is clearly doing something right with results like those but it’ll amount to nothing unless he can start winning again. Chapultepec could be just the place for him to get off the mark for 2017. He’s straight off the tee, a quality ball striker and plenty powerful enough for an each way bet at 50/1 with Bet365.
Noren’s Form at Altitude a Major Plus
One of the most endearing things about Alex Noren is that he’s not a fan of his own golf game. He often talks in interviews about being almost ashamed of his swing when he sees it on television which is one of the main reasons he works so hard on the range. However, Noren cannot argue with his own results. His four wins on the European Tour last year have propelled him to number 10 in the world which gives him a chance to shine on this big stage. Noren’s got good form at altitude with two wins at the European Masters and he looks way too big to ignore for an each way bet at 100/1 with Coral.