Mayakoba Golf Classic Field Notes

Without a doubt the strength of field for the Mayakoba Golf Classic has improved since the tournament's inception in 2007. While the top 64 players on the Official World Golf Rankings are required to compete in the WGC Accenture Match Play Championship, the remainder of the top 125 in the world can choose to compete in Mexico. This year, 16 players in that category will start.

The field for this year's Mayakoba Golf Classic includes 32 International players representing 14 different countries.

When the third edition of the Mayakoba Golf Classic begins Thursday, 132 competitors will attempt to win one of the youngest events on the PGA TOUR schedule. From this diverse group of veterans, international players, and young competitors, this field has accumulated 127 victories on either the PGA TOUR or European Tour.

Beem finished tied for 13th at last week's Northern Trust Open.

Twelve of the top 40 players on the 2009 PGA TOUR's Official Money list are entered to play the Mayakoba Golf Classic.

Three players in the field this week finished in the top 15 Sunday at the Northern Trust Open—Brendon de Jonge, Rich Beem and Chris DiMarco.

To be successful at the Mayakoba Golf Classic, Driving Accuracy is a must. Along with defending champion Brian Gay, four players in the field are among the top 10 on the PGA TOUR in that category-- Mark Brooks, David Toms, Olin Browne and Gay. Another, Chris DiMarco led the field in that category last week in Los Angeles and finished among the top 15 Sunday.

Four players in the field this week are tied for second with the most top-10 performances so far this season. Brian Gay, David Toms, Kevin Na and Web Simpson all have two top-10 finishes in either four or five starts.

Mexican players in the field, not including today's Open Qualifying Tournament: Jose de Jesus Rodriguez -- Top-ranked player on the PGA of Mexico Order of Merit and finished tied for seventh at the 2008 Mexico Open. The Guanajuato native competed in the 2008 Mayakoba Golf Classic but failed to make the 36-hole cut; Mauricio Azcue Pederzoli -- Top ranked amateur based on Mexican Golf Federation rankings and is currently a freshman standout on the UCLA golf team. Native of Mexico City; Esteban Toledo -- Highest-ranked Mexican on the official World Golf Ranking, a long-time PGA TOUR member, who will be competing in his third Mayakoba Golf Classic. Toledo has finished tied for 41st and 11th in consecutive appearances. Known for his charitable work, Toledo has won twice worldwide, including the 2000 Mexico Open. He has also represented Mexico in six World Cup matches.

Hot Spanish players in the field are: Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano -- Currently ranked 75th on the Official World Golf Rankings and a five-time winner on the European Tour. His most recent victory was a playoff win over Lee Westwood at the 2008 British Masters. Pablo Larrazabal -- Finished 30th on the European Tour Order of Merit in 2008. Larrazábal was named the European Tour's Rookie of the Year on the strength of a four-stroke victory over Angel Cabrera and Colin Montgomerie in the Open de France.

Here is a brief look at a few potential first-time winners: John Merrick – Finished T3 last year at Mayakoba, and notched his best career finish (T2) at the 2009 Sony Open in Hawaii.; Steve Marino – Last year's runner-up at Mayakoba has 11 top-10s in 69 career PGA TOUR starts. Two of those have come at Mayakoba (8th/2007 and 2nd/2008); Webb Simpson – Rookie from Wake Forest posted top-10s in first two starts of PGA TOUR career. Currently 21st in FedExCup standings; Scott Piercy – Rookie finished T6 at FBR Open.

For a complete list of 2009 Mayakoba Golf Classic players, please click here.

Media Contacts

The Mayakoba Golf Classic at Riviera Maya-Cancún is dedicated to assisting the media in covering this historic event. For more information on press releases, press conferences or attending the event, please contact the Mayakoba Golf Classic's media directors:

Veronica Muller
Media Director - Latin America
Mayakoba Golf Classic
+52 (998) 185-1585

Lee Patterson
Media Director
Greg Norman Production Company
(704) 553-4790

About The Mayakoba Golf Classic

The Mayakoba Golf Classic made golf history when it became the first PGA TOUR event to ever be contested outside of the United States and Canada in February 2007. Today, the Mayakoba Golf Classic remains “Mexico’s Only PGA TOUR Event” as it prepares to enter its sixth year. The event is regarded as one of the finest on the PGA TOUR by players, their families, sponsors and the TOUR itself. With a purse of $3.7 million USD, the Mayakoba Golf Classic boasts the largest amount of prize money of any golf tournament in Latin America. Held annually in February, the tournament features 132 professional golfers participating in four rounds of stroke play competition at the Greg Norman-designed El Camaleón Golf Club at Mayakoba in Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, in the Riviera Maya-Cancún regions of Mexico. Johnson Wagner, a five-year veteran of the PGA TOUR, claimed the title in 2011, winning $666,000 USD. Other past champions include: Fred Funk (2007), Brian Gay (2008), Mark Wilson (2009) and Cameron Beckman (2010).

About Mayakoba

Mayakoba is situated just south of Cancun on Mexico’s prized Caribbean coast – the Riviera Maya. A mere 40-minute drive from the towering hotels of Cancun, visitors will discover a completely different experience. Here, nestled in a lush natural paradise, lies Mayakoba—a truly unique resort destination. Mayakoba is comprised of three luxury hotels, each featuring a range of culinary and spa experiences. An 18-hole Greg Norman championship golf course, El Camaleón, managed by Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, offers players an ever-changing terrain that moves gracefully from mangroves to the sea. Created to harmonize with the unspoiled tropical forest, Mayakoba is connected with a series of lagoons enabling guests to wander effortlessly from place to place through the resort using the “lanchas” (covered boats) as well as a network of trails. Mayakoba, a luxury destination like no other where you are immersed in unspoiled natural beauty and the mysteries of an ancient civilization.

About OHL

Based in Madrid, OHL has over 23,000 employees and an impressive average yearly growth rate of 20% since 2002. In the third quarter of 2010, its net sales amounted to over 3,4 billion Euros. At the same time, OHL is strongly committed to environmental responsibility and in 2003 produced its first Sustainable Development Report. As Juan-Miguel Villar Mir, the chairman of the board of directors and the author of the report, noted, mindful attention to the long-term health of the environment creates a "virtuous circle" that benefits the company, its clients and the globe. OHL's ecological diligence has served it well in México, where strong government regulations are enforced to protect the environment. A presence in México since 1980, OHL employs over 3,400 people there and has built highways, bridges, hotels and hospitals. The tourism complex at Mayakoba, which will eventually include two or three golf courses and six luxury hotels, is OHL's most ambitious hospitality project to date.

About Greg Norman Production Company

The Greg Norman Production Company (GNPC), a subsidiary of Great White Shark Enterprises, is devoted to event management and sports marketing. In addition to the PGA TOUR’s Mayakoba Golf Classic, the GNPC operates the PGA TOUR-sanctioned Franklin Templeton Shootout. The GNPC prides itself on producing events and marketing initiatives that not only reflect the discerning standards of its namesake, but of its clients as well. Through its myriad relationships within golf, media and event industries, the GNPC is fully capable of providing its clients with a wide spectrum of services that will seamlessly build brand equity and generate a unique marketing and or hospitality medium.

About El Camaleón Golf Club

El Camaleón Golf Club at the Mayakoba resort is yet another of Greg Norman’s masterworks. The 7,039-yard layout is unique - not just to Mexico but to the entire world of golf. The course bends through three distinct landscapes—mangrove jungles, limestone canals and stunning, oceanfront stretches of sand. El Camaleón incorporates a cenote, a massive underground cavern, into the heart of the opening fairway. The handsome, Mayan influenced clubhouse rises above the 18th green and features stunning views over the course. The adjoining practice facility and driving range are of international caliber. With Mayakoba’s unique system of lagoons, golfers will be able to step out of their rooms and into a boat, which will ferry them directly to the first tee. El Camaleón is managed by Fairmont Hotels & Resorts.

About Golf PARa Todos

Golf PARa Todos aims to create a fun-filled, diverse and educational program that teaches about the game of golf and its ideals. The program encourages active participation in the game as a participant and as a fan, and facilitates the integration of golf into the lives of all those within the community. Golf PARa Todos is a community program presented and created by the Mayakoba Golf Classic. In January 2011, the event earned a place in the Guinness World Records by hosting the world’s largest ever golf lesson. The lesson featured 1,073 participants. The inaugural installment of Golf PARa Todos was held in October 2007 at El Camaleón Golf Club in Playa del Carmen. On average, 600 people currently attend each session. A monthly program, Golf PARa Todos is open to people of all ages, backgrounds and levels of golf skill or knowledge. For more information, visit www.GolfParaTodos.org.

Ticket Information

Congratulations to "Psicólogo-terapeuta, maestro y amigo... caddie" for becoming the winner of the 2012 Fotogolf contest presented by the Mayakoba Golf Classic in conjunction with IN Riviera Maya magazine.

See The Winner

Mexico's Only PGA TOUR Event

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