WGC Mexico Preview: Who to watch and how to watch

The World’s best head back to Club de Golf Chapultepec for the first World Golf Championship of the year: The WGC Mexico.

Last year the formerly Miami based WGC was played in Mexico City for the first time, and World No.1 Dustin Johnson took advantage of the high-altitude to win his fourth WGC – becoming the fifth player in history to win during his first tournament appearance as World No.1.

DJ edged out in-form Tommy Fleetwood last year in the limited field event for his second WGC Mexico win in 2017, and the World No.1 returns this year with a win already under his belt in 2018. 

Meanwhile, Justin Thomas heads to Mexico city having once again already put together multiple victories this season at the CJ Cup and last week’s Honda Classic, while former champions Justin Rose and Phil Mickelson come in to the tournament with a string of top-10s in their last few starts. 

How to watch

Thursday:
Sky Sports Golf (19:00), Sky Sports Main Event (23:15)

Friday:
Sky Sports Golf (19:00)

Saturday:
Sky Sports Golf (17:00)

Sunday:
Sky Sports Golf (17:00), Sky Sports Main Event (19:00)

Who to watch: The field

Past Champions in the field: Dustin Johnson, Patrick Reed, Phil Mickelson, Justin Rose.

Dustin Johnson: Two-time winner of this WGC looking to defend in Mexico this week. Hasn’t finished worse than T16 in his last six starts, which includes a victory at the Sentry Tournament of Champions. 

Tommy Fleetwood: An untimely error from Fleetwood during on the 14th hole of the Honda Classic dropped him back to solo 4th for the tournament, but with 4 top 10s and a victory in his last 5 starts, Tommy is a real threat this week. Finished 2nd here to Dustin Johnson last year, and is ranked 4th on the PGA Tour for strokes gained total and 3rd for scoring average.

Jordan Spieth: Spieth finished T9 in his last start at the Genesis Open, and with the exception of one missed cut, has been incredibly solid (he’s posted eight top 10s in his last 11 starts.). He shot course record 63 here in round 3 and was T12 in Mexico last year, and is ranked 2nd in strokes gained, 7th in greens in regulation and 6th in scoring average (actual). 

Justin Thomas: Coming off a play-off victory at the Honda Classic last week, Thomas has two victories and hasn’t finished worse than T22 in his last eight starts. Was T5 here last year, is 4th for scoring average this year, 10th for Strokes Gained and currently leads the FedEx Cup standings. 

Paul Casey: Casey still hasn’t missed since the 2017 Sony Open, and despite a T49 at the Genesis Open he’s still had four top-10 finishes in his last seven starts.. Still looking for his second PGA Tour victory, and finished T16 here last year. Ranked 4th for Strokes Gained tee to green and 1st for sand saves. 

Tyrrell Hatton: Hatton missed the cut at the Honda Classic, but could have been momentary blip. Prior to that finished T3 in his last start in Dubai, T15 in Abu Dhabi the week before and has now only finished outside of the top 20 once in his last 11 starts (which includes back-to-back victories on the European Tour). 

Alex Noren: Followed up his play-off defeat to Jason Day with a T21 at Torrey Pines, a T16 at Riviera and a solo 3rd last week – missing out on the play-off between Thomas and List by a single shot. Hasn’t finished worse than T21 in his last five appearances, but this is his first start here. Ranked 2nd for scoring average, 3rd for strokes gained total and 7th in sg putting. 

Phil Mickelson: Mickelson has had a really solid start to the season, finishing T6-T2-T5 in his last three starts. He T7 here last year and won this event in 2009, although should note it was on a different course. Is ranked 2nd for putting average, 6th for strokes gained and 5th for birdie average. 

Justin Rose: In his last seven starts has three wins and a worst finish of T22. Rose won this tournament in 2012, and although he finished T38 last year would be surprised if he doesn’t improve on that this time around. Hasn’t teed up since T8 at Farmers. 

Jon Rahm: Returns after a couple of weeks off. Finished T3 here last year and already has a win under his belt in 2018 at the Career Builder Challenge. Last five starts in 2018? T26-T11-T29-1st-2nd. 

Sergio Garcia: Was T33 in his first PGA Tour start of the year at the Honda Classic this year, which was one of only three starts he’s made in 2018 (the other two were a T32 in Dubai and victory at the SMBC Singapore Open). Finished T12 here last year. 

Dylan Frittelli: The South African comes in to the WGC Mexico in excellent form, and could be a real challenger this week. Inside top 20 in his last six starts, including a T5 at the Maybank Championship and T6 at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic. 

Matt Fitzpatrick: Fitzpatrick missed the cut in his last start in Dubai, and comes in to the WGC Mexico having had a few weeks off. Excluding the missed cut, hadn’t finished worse than T19 in his previous six starts, and was T16 last year. 

Ross Fisher: Has finished runner-up three times in his last 7 worldwide starts, with his most recent being at the start of the year in Abu Dhabi. Was T3 here last year. 

Xander Schauffele: T9-T17 in his last two starts, and has finished in the top 10 in half of his last 10 appearances. The 2017 rookie of the year hasn’t played here before but given he won the Tour Championship at East Lake in September, he’s definitely got the game on the big stage. 

Others to look out for: Recent winners Bubba Watson, Kiradech Aphibarnrat and Joost Luiten, while Tony Finau, Rafa Cabrera Bello, Patrick Cantlay, Daniel Berger and Rickie Fowler all could do well here this week.