OHL Classic at Mayakoba - Power Rankings
This week is a big one for golf in Latin America, as the OHL Classic at Mayakoba will celebrate its tenth year. The community is ready to celebrate, and ten extra dollars has even been added to the prize purse as a symbolic recognition of this milestone.
Jeff Shain, of PGATOUR.com, enlightens us on this week’s venue. El Camaleón GC, 7,039 yards, par 71.
“The Chameleon” winds through three distinct landscapes – tropical jungle, dense mangroves and sand-lined oceanfront along the Riviera Maya. Designer Greg Norman even incorporated a cenote – an underground cavern common to the area – into the heart of the fairway on No. 7 (No. 1 for resort play). Opened in 2004, the PGA TOUR made its first visit three years later, with the event spending six years opposite the World Golf Championships-Dell Technologies Match Play until moving into its own fall slot in 2013. Back in September, El Camaleón served as one of two hosts for the World Amateur Team Championships.
Let’s take a look at my rankings for this week, as well as my DraftKings lineups.
Scott Piercy – Hasn’t taken a break for a while now, but continues to perform. Establishing himself as an elite competitor.
Jim Fuyrk – “Mr. 58” playing in his first event of the season. It will be very interesting to see how 2016-2017 progresses for Jim after having last season cut short due to injury.
Jon Rahm – His career has got off to a very hot start. Seems like he will find the winner’s circle soon. Early season events with limited talent depth seems like the perfect opportunity.
Russell Knox – Has experienced success at this event. Runner-up last year to Graeme McDowell.
Emiliano Grillo – Has consistently put himself in contention over the last four months.
Webb Simpson – Doesn’t always put himself in contention, but is one of those players who can make a serious Sunday charge at any moment. It should never be a surprise to see him contend.
Gary Woodland – Tremendously talented athlete who continues to work to build a greater level of competitive consistency. Can break through for a big week at any time.
Billy Horchel – The former FedEx Cup champion who grinds it out each and every week.
Luke Donald – Not the player he once was, but has shown signs of returning to form over the last year.
Keegan Bradley – Major winner and a player who likes this event, having finished T8 last season. Coming off a T7 finish last week.
Sleeper Pick
Patrick Rodgers - He has been quiet lately, but has shown in the not too distant past that he has the game to make some noise out on Tour. Has played well in some past early season events.
And now a look at my DraftKings picks for the week.
Last week, Rod Pampling showed that you can never count the veterans out. This week’s event has only crowned two younger competitors in its nine years. For this reason, history says that my picks for this week are foolish, but I’m choosing not to see them this way. I do have Furyk, Piercy, Crane & Herman, but I also like some of our younger players this week. Early season is a great time for the younger competitors to establish themselves on Tour.
Starting Lineup
Jon Rahm - $10,700
Scott Piercy - $9,800
Cameron Smith - $8,100
Jamie Lovemark - $7,000
Danny Lee - $6,700
Ben Crane - $6,600
Alternate Lineup
Jim Fuyrk - $10,200
Harris English - $9,500
Webb Simpson - $8,000
Patrick Rodgers - $7,200
Wesley Bryan - $7,100
Jim Herman - $6,400
This article was written by Jonathan Carr (@jonathanwcarr) as part of our weekly #FantasyGolf series. Each week we preview the upcoming PGA Tour event and highlight some of the players we'll be keeping an eye on. As a scratch golfer himself, Jonathan has a keen eye for what it takes to be successful on and off the golf course. His passion for golf is surpassed only by his passion for his faith and his family.
Read some of Jonathan's other articles here.
