The PGA Tour heads to Vidanta Vallarta for this week’s Mexico Open, played at The Norman Signature Course for the fourth year in a row, where Akshay Bhatia heads the betting.
After last week’s Genesis Invitational a number of the leading players in the world have decided to swerve this Mexico trip, but there is still a strong field vying for glory and an enthralling spectacle is expected.
talkSPORT BET welcome offer – Get £20 in free bets*
The Mexico Open betting tips
- Rasmus Hojgaard to win and each-way @ 18/1
- Aldrich Potgieter to win and each-way @ 60/1
- Justin Lower to win and each-way @ 66/1
Hojgaard to make his mark in the US
Wide fairways and minimal rough make The Norman Signature Course a paradise for the bigger hitters and another powerful driver that could prosper here is Rasmus Hojgaard.
The 23-year-old Dane is averaging 318.2 yards in driving distance on the PGA Tour this season, leaving him tied-11th, and he will be one of the longest hitters in the field this week given several of those above him have opted not to play.
Although missing the cut at the Genesis last week, Hojgaard had been showing positive form with a T14 at the Dubai Desert Classic, a T22 at Pebble Beach and a T12 at the Phoenix Open.
With the Ryder Cup taking place at Bethpage Black later this year, Hojgaard will be eager to gather some early qualification points and put himself in the mind of European captain Luke Donald early.
Rising star Potgieter to make a big splash
Another power hitter that gets the nod is South African Aldrich Potgieter, who is in his debut PGA Tour season and was tied-15th on his last outing at the Farmers Insurance Open.
The 20-year-old was first in both strokes gained off-the-tee and driving distance in that event and he has impressed in those two areas in this campaign, as he is second and first respectively in the overall PGA Tour statistics.
Making his Mexico Open debut, Potgieter has the potential to thrive around this layout and could continue his impressive rise with a maiden title on the US circuit.
Justin won’t Lower his standards
American Justin Lower is also chasing his PGA Tour breakthrough and he should enjoy returning to an event he was tied-third in last year, albeit five shots behind winner Jake Knapp.
The 35-year-old impressed at the American Express last month, ending up T3, and he has also produced solid efforts at courses that are similar to The Norman Signature Course.
Lower finished fourth in April at Corales Golf Club, used for the Corales Puntacana Championship, while he was second at the Tiger Woods-designed El Cardonal at Diamante in Mexico in the World Wide Technology Championship.
Lower clearly has a liking for this type of test and he looks capable of getting in the mix.
talkSPORT BET welcome offer – Get £20 in free bets*
*18+ New customers only. Opt in & bet £10+ via mobile on any sports at 2.00+ odds within 7 days. No Cash out. Get 4x £5 Free Bets on selected markets. Free bets expire in 7 days. Card payments & Apple Pay only. T&Cs apply, see below. GambleAware.org | Please gamble responsibly
Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:
- Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
- Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
- Never chase their losses
- Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
- GamCare – www.gamcare.org.uk
- Gamble Aware – www.gambleaware.org
For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to www.gamstop.co.uk to be excluded from all UK-regulated gambling websites.
Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to talkSPORT. 18+. T&Cs apply. Gambleaware.org
