Host since this tournament’s inception in 2007, the El Camaleon Golf Course lies in an idyllic spot on the water’s edge in Playa del Carmen that clearly suits Norway’s Viktor Hovland who is chasing a third straight win here.

Much of the focus will be on Hovland’s hat-trick chase, but some big names have made the trip, including Scottie Scheffler and Collin Morikawa, while Aussie Harrison Endycott has winning experience on this venue.

DEFENDING CHAMPION: Last year’s title defence got off to a strange start for Hovland, who had his driver snapped by Danny Lee on Wednesday during a speed training session that required him to borrow the same model with a different shaft from another player.

It didn’t seem to worry the Ryder Cup player, with Hovland reaching a tournament record score for 72 holes that included a third round 62.

Home hope Carlos Ortiz was the nearest challenger four strokes back of Hovland’s 23-under total, while Scottie Scheffler had a Sunday charge going seven-under through 13 holes before a double bogey at the 16th ended his run.

RIGHT: Hovland stands with the unique trophy in Mexico last year. PHOTO: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images.

COURSE: Measuring 7,043 yards, the par-71 Mayakoba Course of El Camaleon Golf Course gives up plenty of birdies each year when the PGA Tour comes to town. Unsurprising given it is designed primarily to be used as by resort guests.

Weaving its way through dense mangroves at times, and with a number of holes played right on the edge of the Caribbean Sea, the Norman design also incorporates some ancient caves, known as cenotes, into the layout, including in the middle of one fairway that inevitably gets plenty of TV time each year.

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PRIZEMONEY: US$8,200,000

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Viktor Hovland as the two-time winner here is clearly the man to beat at Mayakoba this week.

Not only does the World No.11 clearly love the place, but the Norwegian has been in very consistent form since way back at The Open when he tied for fourth. Consistently around the top-20 with occasional higher finishes, Hovland’s game is in tidy order and another PGA Tour win before the end of the year would suit him just fine.

Collin Morikawa makes his tournament debut here this week after an average run of form by his high standards of late.

Harrison Endycott is in good form and has good memories here. PHOTO: Courtney Culbreath/Getty Images.

This is layout where ball strikers excel, see Hovland, and Morikawa is certainly in that mould and if he is making the journey to Mexico, expect him to be grinding towards being in contention on Sunday.

Now the World No.2 after spending much of the year one spot higher Scottie Scheffler found this course to his liking last year when trying to run down Hovland and could be in the running again this week.

A disappointing 45th in his season opener at the CJ Cup, the Masters champion is a better player than that and will be looking to find some form before he puts the clubs away for Christmas and reflects on a very solid year.

Aaron Baddeley gets another PGA Tour start after his top-10 last week and can’t be discounted, but his fellow long haired Aussie who performed well last week Harrison Endycott is an interesting one here.

Finishing in a share of 10th in Bermuda, his best PGA Tour result, Endycott was part of Australia’s Eisenhower Cup winning team at this very venue when still an amateur and perhaps the good memories could see him on the leaderboard again this week.

72-HOLE RECORD: 261, Viktor Hovland (2021)

18-HOLE RECORD: 61, Roland Thatcher (2008)

PAST AUSSIE WINNERS: No previous Australian winner.

AUSTRALIANS IN THE FIELD: Aaron Baddeley, Harrison Endycott and Jason Day.

TV TIMES*
Round 1: Friday (Fox Sports 505 6am – 9am)
Round 2: Saturday (Fox Sports 505 6am – 9am)
Round 3: Sunday (Fox Sports 505 6am – 9am)
Round 4: Monday (Fox Sports 505 6am – 9am)
*AEDT, check local guides