February 21, 2024 • 10 mins
The PGA heads south of the border toThe Mexico Open played at Vidanta Vallarta in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. With many of the games top players taking the week off Toney Finau is looking like the man among men in Mexico. But there is a mix of young up and comers and crafty veterans looking to take his crown.
The field has been described as "weak" or "ugly" by some, but you know that Hidden Gems Golf loves to dig deep for those gems!
It's fun. It's fast. It's Hidden Gems Golf.
Lets make some money!
This is a 19 Media Group production.
For the love of pod, please check out our sponsors!
HGG is brought to you by SkyGolf. Click below to take a look at their excellent catalog to help your golf game. Every click helps or affiliates know you care. Appreciate your support.
https://www.skygolf.com/products/?AffiliateID=HIDDENGEMS
19 Media Group is also proud to be partnered with BlueView Footwear. The company has made the
1st FULLY biodegradable shoe.....and they are comfy too!
Support 19, Blueview & the environment with this link:
https://bit.ly/blueview19
Follow 19 Media Group on twitter @19MGroup
Follow the show on twitter: @APowerMoJoGolf
Follow the host TheMoJoKing on twitter @APowerMoJo
The field has been described as "weak" or "ugly" by some, but you know that Hidden Gems Golf loves to dig deep for those gems!
It's fun. It's fast. It's Hidden Gems Golf.
Lets make some money!
This is a 19 Media Group production.
For the love of pod, please check out our sponsors!
HGG is brought to you by SkyGolf. Click below to take a look at their excellent catalog to help your golf game. Every click helps or affiliates know you care. Appreciate your support.
https://www.skygolf.com/products/?AffiliateID=HIDDENGEMS
19 Media Group is also proud to be partnered with BlueView Footwear. The company has made the
1st FULLY biodegradable shoe.....and they are comfy too!
Support 19, Blueview & the environment with this link:
https://bit.ly/blueview19
Follow 19 Media Group on twitter @19MGroup
Follow the show on twitter: @APowerMoJoGolf
Follow the host TheMoJoKing on twitter @APowerMoJo
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
Welcome to Hitting Gem's Golf, wherewe dig a little bit deeper to find
secret treasure for your betting and DFSpleasure. Yeah Baby, Hello all,
(00:22):
I am the Mojo King and thisis episode number seventy seven of Hidden Gem's
Golf, brought to you by themighty nineteen Media Group and sponsored by Sky
Golf. This week we'll be previewingthe Mexico Open being played in Riata,
Mexico. I have to admit thistournament is a hidden gem, a dream,
maybe to the frustration of many others. Maybe more of that in a
(00:45):
moment, but first, let meremind you that nineteen Media Group is the
squad. The second half of theNBA season is upon us, and there
is not many better ways to keepup with all the action than NBA Baseline
podcast hosted by my buddy Cali andWarren Shaw. Also, if you happen
to be a Lakers lover or aLakers hater, you may want to check
(01:07):
out this What's Up Everybody? It'sQualme from the Late Night Lake Show.
A new NBA season has arrived andthere's no better time to be following the
brand. Join Ricky Guru in theentire Late Night Family as they provide you
the best Lakers and NBA content onsocial media, from weekly podcasts featuring some
of the biggest names in the NBAsocial world to viral postgame Twitter spaces.
(01:27):
If you bleed purple and gold atLate Night Lake Shows the brand for you.
You can follow us on all socialmedia platforms at Late Night Lakers or
at Late Night Lake Show on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, or wherever you
get your podcasts at Premium Lakers contentto come check us out. We'll see
you on the timeline. Enjoy.All right, let's briefly recap last week's
(01:49):
event. The Genesis Invitational was spectacular. What an exciting event with Hideki MAT's
Yama eventually coming out on top.Now, on a personal note, Hideki
rise was a bit detrimental to mypocketbook. I don't have a pocketbook to
my wallet as I was sitting onwill xalatoris win ticket. Salaturus, who
(02:10):
I mentioned in last week's podcast,came in tied for second. Also mentioned
in the pod were Tommy Fleetwood whocame in tenth, and the Hidden Gem
selection of the week, Harris English, who came in seventh. I mean
that's about as good as it gets. Three players in the top ten.
Not quite as good was our catcha falling knife selection. Who came in
(02:35):
dead last? Well maybe not technicallydead last, Kevin, you did beat
Tiger Woods and Jordan's Beef. Wejust needed about sixty other golfers to withdraw
and or be disqualified. Moving along, this is the ninety Media Group presentation.
This week we turn our attention tothe Mexico Open at Vendatta, being
(02:59):
played in Vinda Vayarta, Mexico.Hopefully all those v's will stand for victory
by the end of the weekend.This event will be played on the Norman
Course, which was built in nineteenseventy four and designed by not shockingly Greg
Norman. It is a par seventyone and a long seven four hundred and
fifty six yards. The course featurespast ballum grass on the fairways, rough
(03:23):
and greens. These fairways are wide, the rough is not tough, and
the greens tend to play pretty slow. There's a good amount of water on
the course, but the water isnot very dangerous to PGA professionals. This
course's main defense, other than thewind, is its length length off the
tea and more importantly, length offtheir approach r key this week. This
(03:47):
is evident by the leaderboards in thetwo times the Mexico Open has been played
here in Biarta. Last year itwas Tony Final winning at twenty four under,
beating John Rohn three strokes. Theywere followed by Brandon Ru and Akha
Batia. In twenty twenty two,it was John Rahm winning at seventeen under
(04:08):
over Tony Finale, Kirk Kideyama andBrandon Wu all tied for second. It's
really interesting to see three of thesame names in the top five both years,
that being Ram Finale and Brandon Wu. While I'm on it, it
should also be noted that Cameron Champand Patrick Rogers also top ten in those
two years. This field, likethe past years at this event, is
(04:31):
pretty weak, not surprising with allthe top players resting before some big events
next month, including the players.But there's nothing better than weak fields when
it comes to hidden gems, findingsand selections, so I'm looking forward to
this week. As far as comparabletournaments, we're looking for longer courses with
(04:53):
weaker fields. That leads me tothe Puerto Rico Open. The corrals and
the Three M Open as my primarycourses to look at, although they don't
fit quite as well. I willalso look at the Barracuda, the Charles
Swab, the API and the Sanderson'sFarms. Back to the Puerto Rico Open,
(05:13):
Remember, Tony Finale has a winthere and the three AM Open.
Fenale won that as well as Cameron. All right, enough of all that,
let's get to the picks. Allright, up top. I gotta
say it's really difficult to decide whatto do in a couple of ways.
Tony Finale is an absolute slam dunkhere. He's by far the most talented
(05:35):
player in the field, and hehas the amazing course history, but he
hasn't been quite on top of hisgame so far this season. Emiliano Grillo
has similar issues. He's amongst thetop talents here but hasn't been quite on
his game. So I'm still decidingon female. But outside of that,
my top choice is Nikolai Holjgard atleast among the favorites. My true personal
(06:00):
favorite, and I'm sure if you'rea steady listener to this podcast you're not
surprised, is Maverick McNeely. Helooks to be returning to form. His
length should do him well, andthis field is not intimidating at all.
All Right, enough with the guysup top, let's get lower, shall
we, and now your featured presentation. Honestly, I'm feeling a bit like
(06:24):
a kid in a candy store.There are so many options here as possible
guys to go get as a hiddengym. I'm gonna select three for you.
But seriously, I have a listof about twenty, all right,
So my first thought is to takea young up and coming bomber. There
are quite a few that fit thatprofile, but I am leaning towards the
ninety ninth ranked player in the world, twenty five year old Austin Ecro.
(06:48):
Now, he hasn't exactly tore itup this year so far, but he's
made three or four cuts, includinga top forty at the Farmers. More
importantly to me are a couple ofhis results from last year, in particular
Corrales where he came in fifth placeand the US Open, where he came
in tenth against a stellar field.He's shown the ability to get into the
(07:12):
mix on a comp course and tohang with the big boys in a tough
course. The strength of his gameis off the TA, where he ranks
sixth in total driving so far thisseason. Then again, maybe I should
just take a veteran who can getit up off the T as well.
So how about a thirty nine yearold the four hundred and thirty six ranked
player in the world, Jonathan Vegas. Vegas is fifth in the PGA and
(07:36):
shots gained off the T this season. I think Vegas is coming in at
a major discount in my opinion becauseof his tough injury played twenty twenty three.
Because of that, he hasn't hada top ten since twenty twenty two,
but his skills off the T shouldbe able to do him well here
this week. In addition, he'shad great results in comparable tournaments. He's
(08:01):
placed second in both the three MOpen and the Puerto Rican Open in twenty
twenty one, and had a fourthplace finish in corrals in twenty twenty two.
Finally, I'm gonna go with aveteran that doesn't really seem to fit
this course but has been playing sneakilywell as of late, and that's the
two hundred twenty six ranked golfer inthe world. Forty two year old Australian
(08:26):
Aaron Badly. Now, like Isaid, he doesn't really fit this course,
so this is more of a hunchthan skilled analysis. The truth is
Badly is not great off the tee, nor has his proach game been very
good lately. But still he hasbeen finding ways to have solid results.
He's made the cut in five ofhis last six starts, including his last
(08:50):
start being a twenty eighth at theWaste Management. It seems to me,
and maybe only to me, thatthis former top twenty ranked player in the
world has regained some form. Allright, that's it for me. Just
to recap, we have Austin Ekro, Johnny Vegas and Aaron Badly real quick.
Some of those extra names to takea look at at least up top
(09:11):
Eric van Ruin, Thomas Dietree andTaylor Pendriff players I almost mentioned in this
hitting Gems, Norlander, Nie Smith, Young, Mister Bridgeman and bomber Doerty
all people to at least take alook at. All right, that's it.
I am officially done. My sonhas been very patient with me,
(09:35):
and I don't want to push itany further. Hey little man, you
got anything to say? Keep diggingfor diamonds, just like in Minecraft.
Don't let the creeper get you.Oh wait, if you're an adult,
you probably don't know what I'm talkingabout. Never mind, and he's ring.
I have no idea what he's talkingabout. All right, keep dig
good mmmm, keep digging. Okay, so keep digging, keep digging,
(10:20):
keep taking, keep digging. Let'skeep taking like a million times. Keep
digging in and then you'll find treasurein the snow. It's recording your audio,
not you. Not you're dancing,I know. Keep digging. Well,
(10:52):
oh my goodness,
Welcome to Hitting Gem's Golf, wherewe dig a little bit deeper to find
secret treasure for your betting and DFSpleasure. Yeah Baby, Hello all,
(00:22):
I am the Mojo King and thisis episode number seventy seven of Hidden Gem's
Golf, brought to you by themighty nineteen Media Group and sponsored by Sky
Golf. This week we'll be previewingthe Mexico Open being played in Riata,
Mexico. I have to admit thistournament is a hidden gem, a dream,
maybe to the frustration of many others. Maybe more of that in a
(00:45):
moment, but first, let meremind you that nineteen Media Group is the
squad. The second half of theNBA season is upon us, and there
is not many better ways to keepup with all the action than NBA Baseline
podcast hosted by my buddy Cali andWarren Shaw. Also, if you happen
to be a Lakers lover or aLakers hater, you may want to check
(01:07):
out this What's Up Everybody? It'sQualme from the Late Night Lake Show.
A new NBA season has arrived andthere's no better time to be following the
brand. Join Ricky Guru in theentire Late Night Family as they provide you
the best Lakers and NBA content onsocial media, from weekly podcasts featuring some
of the biggest names in the NBAsocial world to viral postgame Twitter spaces.
(01:27):
If you bleed purple and gold atLate Night Lake Shows the brand for you.
You can follow us on all socialmedia platforms at Late Night Lakers or
at Late Night Lake Show on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, or wherever you
get your podcasts at Premium Lakers contentto come check us out. We'll see
you on the timeline. Enjoy.All right, let's briefly recap last week's
(01:49):
event. The Genesis Invitational was spectacular. What an exciting event with Hideki MAT's
Yama eventually coming out on top.Now, on a personal note, Hideki
rise was a bit detrimental to mypocketbook. I don't have a pocketbook to
my wallet as I was sitting onwill xalatoris win ticket. Salaturus, who
(02:10):
I mentioned in last week's podcast,came in tied for second. Also mentioned
in the pod were Tommy Fleetwood whocame in tenth, and the Hidden Gem
selection of the week, Harris English, who came in seventh. I mean
that's about as good as it gets. Three players in the top ten.
Not quite as good was our catcha falling knife selection. Who came in
(02:35):
dead last? Well maybe not technicallydead last, Kevin, you did beat
Tiger Woods and Jordan's Beef. Wejust needed about sixty other golfers to withdraw
and or be disqualified. Moving along, this is the ninety Media Group presentation.
This week we turn our attention tothe Mexico Open at Vendatta, being
(02:59):
played in Vinda Vayarta, Mexico.Hopefully all those v's will stand for victory
by the end of the weekend.This event will be played on the Norman
Course, which was built in nineteenseventy four and designed by not shockingly Greg
Norman. It is a par seventyone and a long seven four hundred and
fifty six yards. The course featurespast ballum grass on the fairways, rough
(03:23):
and greens. These fairways are wide, the rough is not tough, and
the greens tend to play pretty slow. There's a good amount of water on
the course, but the water isnot very dangerous to PGA professionals. This
course's main defense, other than thewind, is its length length off the
tea and more importantly, length offtheir approach r key this week. This
(03:47):
is evident by the leaderboards in thetwo times the Mexico Open has been played
here in Biarta. Last year itwas Tony Final winning at twenty four under,
beating John Rohn three strokes. Theywere followed by Brandon Ru and Akha
Batia. In twenty twenty two,it was John Rahm winning at seventeen under
(04:08):
over Tony Finale, Kirk Kideyama andBrandon Wu all tied for second. It's
really interesting to see three of thesame names in the top five both years,
that being Ram Finale and Brandon Wu. While I'm on it, it
should also be noted that Cameron Champand Patrick Rogers also top ten in those
two years. This field, likethe past years at this event, is
(04:31):
pretty weak, not surprising with allthe top players resting before some big events
next month, including the players.But there's nothing better than weak fields when
it comes to hidden gems, findingsand selections, so I'm looking forward to
this week. As far as comparabletournaments, we're looking for longer courses with
(04:53):
weaker fields. That leads me tothe Puerto Rico Open. The corrals and
the Three M Open as my primarycourses to look at, although they don't
fit quite as well. I willalso look at the Barracuda, the Charles
Swab, the API and the Sanderson'sFarms. Back to the Puerto Rico Open,
(05:13):
Remember, Tony Finale has a winthere and the three AM Open.
Fenale won that as well as Cameron. All right, enough of all that,
let's get to the picks. Allright, up top. I gotta
say it's really difficult to decide whatto do in a couple of ways.
Tony Finale is an absolute slam dunkhere. He's by far the most talented
(05:35):
player in the field, and hehas the amazing course history, but he
hasn't been quite on top of hisgame so far this season. Emiliano Grillo
has similar issues. He's amongst thetop talents here but hasn't been quite on
his game. So I'm still decidingon female. But outside of that,
my top choice is Nikolai Holjgard atleast among the favorites. My true personal
(06:00):
favorite, and I'm sure if you'rea steady listener to this podcast you're not
surprised, is Maverick McNeely. Helooks to be returning to form. His
length should do him well, andthis field is not intimidating at all.
All Right, enough with the guysup top, let's get lower, shall
we, and now your featured presentation. Honestly, I'm feeling a bit like
(06:24):
a kid in a candy store.There are so many options here as possible
guys to go get as a hiddengym. I'm gonna select three for you.
But seriously, I have a listof about twenty, all right,
So my first thought is to takea young up and coming bomber. There
are quite a few that fit thatprofile, but I am leaning towards the
ninety ninth ranked player in the world, twenty five year old Austin Ecro.
(06:48):
Now, he hasn't exactly tore itup this year so far, but he's
made three or four cuts, includinga top forty at the Farmers. More
importantly to me are a couple ofhis results from last year, in particular
Corrales where he came in fifth placeand the US Open, where he came
in tenth against a stellar field.He's shown the ability to get into the
(07:12):
mix on a comp course and tohang with the big boys in a tough
course. The strength of his gameis off the TA, where he ranks
sixth in total driving so far thisseason. Then again, maybe I should
just take a veteran who can getit up off the T as well.
So how about a thirty nine yearold the four hundred and thirty six ranked
player in the world, Jonathan Vegas. Vegas is fifth in the PGA and
(07:36):
shots gained off the T this season. I think Vegas is coming in at
a major discount in my opinion becauseof his tough injury played twenty twenty three.
Because of that, he hasn't hada top ten since twenty twenty two,
but his skills off the T shouldbe able to do him well here
this week. In addition, he'shad great results in comparable tournaments. He's
(08:01):
placed second in both the three MOpen and the Puerto Rican Open in twenty
twenty one, and had a fourthplace finish in corrals in twenty twenty two.
Finally, I'm gonna go with aveteran that doesn't really seem to fit
this course but has been playing sneakilywell as of late, and that's the
two hundred twenty six ranked golfer inthe world. Forty two year old Australian
(08:26):
Aaron Badly. Now, like Isaid, he doesn't really fit this course,
so this is more of a hunchthan skilled analysis. The truth is
Badly is not great off the tee, nor has his proach game been very
good lately. But still he hasbeen finding ways to have solid results.
He's made the cut in five ofhis last six starts, including his last
(08:50):
start being a twenty eighth at theWaste Management. It seems to me,
and maybe only to me, thatthis former top twenty ranked player in the
world has regained some form. Allright, that's it for me. Just
to recap, we have Austin Ekro, Johnny Vegas and Aaron Badly real quick.
Some of those extra names to takea look at at least up top
(09:11):
Eric van Ruin, Thomas Dietree andTaylor Pendriff players I almost mentioned in this
hitting Gems, Norlander, Nie Smith, Young, Mister Bridgeman and bomber Doerty
all people to at least take alook at. All right, that's it.
I am officially done. My sonhas been very patient with me,
(09:35):
and I don't want to push itany further. Hey little man, you
got anything to say? Keep diggingfor diamonds, just like in Minecraft.
Don't let the creeper get you.Oh wait, if you're an adult,
you probably don't know what I'm talkingabout. Never mind, and he's ring.
I have no idea what he's talkingabout. All right, keep dig
good mmmm, keep digging. Okay, so keep digging, keep digging,
(10:20):
keep taking, keep digging. Let'skeep taking like a million times. Keep
digging in and then you'll find treasurein the snow. It's recording your audio,
not you. Not you're dancing,I know. Keep digging. Well,
(10:52):
oh my goodness,
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