2023 Mexico Open at Vidanta Preview, Picks & Analysis

JON RAHM returns to Vidanta to defend his Mexico Open title and he will do so as the only member of the world’s top 10 in the field.

The Spaniard has enjoyed a quite extraordinary start to the year. It all began when he won the Tournament of Champions back in January, finishing the week on 27 under par. He won again in his next start at the American Express and should also have added the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines, where he closed with a 74 and ended in a tie for seventh. His next start came at the Phoenix Open, where he had another chance to win but had to settle for a third place finish.

He then won the Genesis Invitational, finished 39th at the Arnold Palmer Invitational after opening with a 65, withdrew from the Players Championship because of illness, and struggled at the WGC Dell Technologies Match Play. But he played superbly at Augusta National to win The Masters by four shots, seeing off both Brooks Koepka and a resurgent Phil Mickelson.

In 142 career starts on the PGA Tour, the Spaniard has missed just 14 cuts and won 11 times. He has been runner-up eight times, finished third 10 times and recorded an astonishing 70 top-10 finishes.

Remember that he also won the Open de Espana and the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai.

The Mexico Open was first played in 1944 but only became a PGA Tour event for the first time in 2022. Twelve months ago Rahm pulled out of a four-way tie with a 12-foot birdie putt on the 14th hole and then held on with pars for a 2-under 69 and a one-shot victory 

It was his first victory since taking the U.S. Open at Torrey Pines in 2021. How things have changed. 

(Image Credit: Kevin Diss Photography)

Tony Finau and Brandon Wu each closed with a 63, while Kurt Kitayama birdied the final hole from a back bunker for a 68. They tied for second.

“I like to think every time I tee it up I'm a favourite. I play to win,” Rahm said. “Fortunately, I got my seventh PGA Tour win. It was a pretty stressful weekend, all the way to the end. It wasn't my best putting weekend, but I stayed aggressive. I was confident in what I was doing. I have faith in every part of my game and it showed.”

Finau is back again. He has gone under the radar somewhat this season but he won the Houston Open, finished tied seventh at the Tournament of Champions and tied ninth at the Farmers Insurance Open. He hasn’t missed a cut since November last year.

Emiliano Grillo seems to have been around forever, but he is still only 30 years old. It is fair to say that he has failed to live up to his undoubted promise, with just a solitary victory to his name. There have been four missed cuts this season, but he also finished fourth at the Zozo, tied fifth at the Sanderson Farms Championship and tied seventh at the recent RBC Heritage.

Since 2017, Grupo Salinas has committed to promoting golf in Mexico for national and Latin American golfers. This is why exemptions have been granted to promising players in the region with the possibility of developing this opportunity in a PGA Tour event. With these exemptions, Grupo Salinas strengthens the ties between amateur and professional golf.

Argentine Mateo Fernández de Oliveira was the first to obtain the exemption, thanks to his victory in the Latin America Amateur Championship (LAAC). He said: "Playing in a PGA Tour tournament will be a dream come true, something I've always wanted. It's a goal accomplished. The fact that this tournament will be played in Mexico will make it even more special. Having opportunities like this will make me a better golfer; I will prepare and give my best.” 

Jose Cristobal Islas will compete for the second consecutive year after becoming the first amateur to win on the Mexican Professional Golf Tour, claiming the El Campanario Classic. He said: "I am pleased about the news of my invitation to the Mexico Open at Vidanta. I am excited for the challenge ahead, and I have nothing left to do but to start preparing myself as best as possible to give myself a chance in Vallarta.” 

Form Guide

It is difficult to see beyond Rahm making a successful defence after a meteoric start to 2023. He has already won four times this year, including that memorable performance at Augusta National.

The Course

Vidanta Vallarta was designed by Greg Norman. Although there are plenty of trees, the fairway are generous. Most greens are large and undulating and protected by cavernous bunkers. It is a par 73 measuring 7,287 yards.

To Win:

Jon Rahm. Who is going to finish second?

Each Way:

Tony Finau. Quietly going about his business

Each Way:

Emiliano Grillo. One of the best when on his game

Five to Follow:

Jon Rahm. In a class of his own in this field

Tony Finau. Fabulous ball striker

Emiliano Grillo. Needs to hits more fairways

Matt Wallace. Full of confidence again.

Aaron Rai. Enjoying some success on the PGA Tour

Five Outsiders to Watch:

Bill Haas. Looking to recapture past glories

Callum Tarren. Underrated English golfer

Erik Van Rooyen. One of golf’s sweetest swingers

Jimmy Walker. Finally showing signs of life again

Nick Watney. Another looking for a way back