The PGA Tour is back in Mexico this week for the World Wide Technology at Mayakoba. The young Norweigan Viktor Hovland is the defending champion, as he was able to bring down Aaron Wise by a single shot last December. A few of the biggest names in golf will be looking to take the hardware away from the former Oklahoma State star, including two former world No. 1s.
Justin Thomas will make his second-straight start at this event looking to build on a T-12 performance last season. He’s made just one start on Tour since the new season got underway which resulted in a top 20 (T-18) performance at the CJ Cup. Brooks Koepka will be making his third start of the new season, as he’s still searching for his first top 30. He missed the cut at this event in 2020.
El Camaleón Golf Course will play as a par 71, hovering around 7,017 yards throughout the week as the yardage is subject to change.
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds a full list.
2021 World Wide Technology Championship at Mayakoba picks – Favorite
Abraham Ancer (+1500)
Ancer has loved playing in front of his home country of Mexico over the last few years, especially at this event where he finished T-12 in 2020, T-8 in 2019, and T-21 in 2018.
He finished last season with three top 10 finishes in his final four starts, including a win at the WGC FedEx St. Jude. Despite missing the cut at his first event of the new season, he came right back the next week and posted a top 15 at the CJ Cup.
Over Ancer’s last 24 rounds on the PGA Tour at venues measuring under 7,200 yards, he ranks inside the top 35 in Strokes Gained: Off the Tee, Ball-Striking, Tee to Green, and Total.
2021 World Wide Technology Championship at Mayakoba picks – Contender
Maverick McNealy (+5000)
Maverick McNealy hits his tee shot on the first hole during the final round of the Fortinet Championship at Silverado Resort and Spa on September 19, 2021 in Napa, California. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
The first several events of the young season have been a mixed bag for McNealy with a solo runner-up to Max Homa at the Fortinet Championship thanks to a late shank, and a missed cut at the Shriners. However, he posted a top 25 in his last start over in Japan at the Zozo Championship.
He’s played in this event the last two seasons with a T-26 back in 2019, and improved on that in 2020 with a T-12 performance.
So far this season McNealy ranks 20th in scoring average, important at an event where the winning score will be around 20 under. He’s been great off the tee ranking inside the top 30 in both distance and SG: Off the Tee.
2021 World Wide Technology Championship at Mayakoba picks – Long shot
Danny Lee (+10000)
After his final round 71 last week at the Butterfield Bermuda Championship, many may forget how great Lee played despite finishing T-2. Three holes on the back nine cost him, as he played 12-14 4 over.
Lee didn’t play here in 2020, but has a great track record from 2017-2019 with finishes of T-25, solo 2nd, and T-26 respectively.
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