This article is part of our FantasyDraft PGA series.
OHL Classic at Mayakoba
Playa del Carmen, Mexico El Chameleon
GC - Par 71 – 6,987 yards
Field – 132 entrants
Purse - $7.1M
The Preview
The penultimate event before many players take off for a winter break, the OHL Classic at Mayakoba will exhibit a full field of 132 this week as Mexico's only PGA Tour event. The event made headlines in 2007 as the first PGA Tour event contested outside of the U.S. and Canada, and since 2013 has maintained a slot on the fall calendar. With a notably high purse of $7.1 million, it's the highest-stakes golf tournament in Latin America. El Chameleon GC, a 2004 course crafted by Greg Norman, incorporates a "Chameleon" setup that winds through distinct jungle, mangrove, and ocean-side views as a shorter par-71 layout. Defending champion and hot hand Pat Perez will join top-ranked player in the field Rickie Fowler and a host of nine Latin American pros, including five from Mexico. Interestingly, all but one of the event's 10 former champions are American-born. Four of the eight editions have ended in a playoff, so expect closely contended golf down the stretch come Sunday.
Past Champions
2016 – Pat Perez
2015 – Graeme McDowell
2014 – Charley Hoffman
2013 – Harris English
2012 – John Huh
2011 – Johnson Wagner
2010 – Cameron Beckman
2009 – Mark Wilson
2008 – Brian Gay
2007 – Fred Funk
Fantasy Draft Value Picks - based on $100,000 salary cap
Cream of the Crop
Rickie Fowler, $18900
As the best player in the field at World No. 10, Fowler embodies all the statistical components needed to win at El Chameleon this week. The only possible red flag here is that it's his first look at this course, but Fowler should easily overcome this. Coming in rested with nine straight top-26s to finish last season, Fowler is well worth his pricey salary this week.
Pat Perez, $18100
The defending champion at El Chameleon, Perez brings an especially hot hand this week. Having already won the CIMB Classic a few weeks back, Perez followed it up with another top-5 at the CJ Cup. A career resurgence is clearly happening before our eyes since Perez returned from shoulder surgery a year ago, with two wins and four other top-5s on his resume in 12 months. Expect good things from the California native again this week.
Chesson Hadley, $16800
It's good to be Hadley right now as he followed up a historic Web.com season with top-5s in his first three events to start the year on the PGA Tour. Though he missed the cut in his only start at El Chameleon three years back, that's a distant memory for one of the hottest players on TOUR right now.
Glue Guys
Chez Reavie, $16300
Sneakily one of the better tee-to-green players on the PGA Tour, Reavie has made 4-of-4 career cuts at El Chameleon which includes a top-5 finish last season. As a mid-30s veteran, Reavie fits the mold of older champions here and enters on the heels of 15 straight made cuts. He's about as safe as it gets for a mid-range salary this week.
Anirban Lahiri, $15900
Prior to last week, Lahiri put up three consecutive top-10s in strong-fielded events. Given the weaker competition he'll face this week, Lahiri has a good shot at another top finish. Lahiri was sixth on TOUR last year in birdie or better conversion, so it's clear he has the capability to go low at an event that requires it.
Bargain Bin
Scott Brown, $14300
Though Brown is nothing special statistically, his four consecutive made cuts at El Chameleon that include two top-16s must be respected. At a lower price of $14300, Brown is a safe pick to make the cut and more.
Nick Taylor, $14100
Taylor has quietly notched three top-25s in four events to start the new season, his best a ninth at the Safeway Open. Historically, Taylor posted a top-15 last season at El Chameleon and made the cut in his only other start in 2014.
Patrick Rodgers, $13400
At the rock-bottom price of $13400, Rodgers comes with the higher risk of a missed cut, much like he did last week at the Shriner's and last year at the OHL Classic. However, his upside is a top-10 finish, which he did on three occasions last season. If you can stomach his aggressive style of play, Rodgers is a worthy selection at this salary level.
