The First Look: Tony Finau looks to defend Mexico Open at Vidanta

The Mexico Open at Vidanta promises an exciting showdown as the PGA TOUR returns to Mexico for this prestigious event. Here are the key points to note before the tournament kicks off:

Field Highlights:

• Tony Finau: The defending champion returns to the Mexico Open, looking to continue his fine form after a T19 finish at The Genesis Invitational. Finau has an impressive track record at Vidanta, having finished 2-1 in his previous appearances.
• Nicolai Højgaard: Fresh off a strong showing at The Genesis Invitational, Højgaard aims to build on his runner-up finish at the Farmers Insurance Open last season. He earned his PGA TOUR card via nonmember FedExCup points and looks to make an impact at Vidanta Vallarta.
• Robert MacIntyre: One of eight golfers in the field who earned their 2024 PGA TOUR cards via the DP World Tour, MacIntyre brings his first-year PGA TOUR membership to the Mexico Open.

Notable Storylines:

• Maverick McNealy: McNealy returns to action after a T6 finish at the WM Phoenix Open, marking his first top-10 finish on TOUR since 2023. With full status on TOUR this season, he aims to capitalize on his momentum.
• Brandon Wu: Wu, a strong performer at Vidanta Vallarta, finished third at the event last year and second in 2022. His consistent performance positions him as a contender once again.
• Sponsor Exemptions: The field includes several sponsor exemptions, including Cristobal Del Solar, Santiago De la Fuente, Fred Biondi, Omar Morales, Renato Naula, Jose Antonio Safa, Rodolfo Cazaubon, Roberto Diaz, Alvaro Ortiz, Sebastian Vazquez, M.J. Daffue, and Padraig Harrington.

Field Rankings:

• The highest-ranked players in the field include Tony Finau, Nicolai Højgaard, Mark Hubbard, Emiliano Grillo, Ryan Fox, Charley Hoffman, Thorbjørn Olesen, Thomas Detry, Patrick Rodgers, and Erik van Rooyen.

Course Details:

• Vidanta Vallarta, a par 71 course stretching 7,456 yards, presents a challenging yet picturesque setting for the tournament. The course features large landing areas off the tee and expansive greens protected by bunkers.

Records:

• The 72-hole record at the Mexico Open is held by Tony Finau, who shot 260 in 2023. Jon Rahm holds the 18-hole record with a 61 in the third round of the 2023 tournament.

How to Follow:

• Television coverage will be provided by Golf Channel and NBC, with streaming available via PGA TOUR LIVE on ESPN+. PGA TOUR Radio on SiriusXM and PGATOUR.COM/liveaudio will also offer coverage throughout the tournament.

With an impressive field of competitors, captivating storylines, and the picturesque backdrop of Vidanta Vallarta, the Mexico Open promises to deliver an enthralling spectacle for golf fans worldwide.