The Starter: Round 1, Mayakoba Golf Classic

text size

The first group will soon tee off in today's first round of the Mayakoba Golf Classic. Here's how it sets up:

Groups We're Watching

Tee time Players   8:10 a.m. ET (7:10 a.m. local) Chad Campbell, Charles Howell III, David Toms All three have won at least twice on TOUR, so they are experienced and know what it takes to win. 12:45 p.m. ET (11:45 a.m. local) Cameron Beckman, George McNeill, Chris DiMarco Beckman will be the odd man out, as the Texas Lutheran alum is paired with FSU's McNeill and Florida Gator DiMarco. 8:20 a.m. ET (7:20 a.m. local) Chez Reavie, Joe Ogilvie, Paul Goydos Goydos and Ogilvie were recently ranked the two smartest guys on TOUR in a Golf Digest survey.

IT'S A TOUGH ONE: El Camaleon Golf Club, designed by 2009 Presidents Cup International Captain Greg Norman, was ranked No. 14 among most-difficult courses on the PGA TOUR in 2008. The par-70 course had a scoring average of 71.00. The par-4 third hole (462 yards) was ranked 22nd on the Toughest Holes on the PGA TOUR list (4.385). MORE: Inside the Course

Thursday's forecast

Partly cloudy Temp: 83 high/63 low Partly cloudy skies with winds from the east at 10 to 20 mph.

A FINE FIELD: Field continues to attract great players to the only official PGA TOUR event in Mexico. The more notable names include:

• 2008 U.S. Ryder Cup participant Chad Campbell
• 2010 U.S. Ryder Cup Captain Corey Pavin
• 2001 PGA Championship winner David Toms, who's 11th in the FedExCup standings
• Two-time PGA TOUR winner Charles Howell III
• Former British Open champion and Ryder Cup captain Tom Lehman
• Two-time Presidents Cup and Ryder Cup participant Scott Verplank
• Steve Marino - among "best players without a win" and has two top-10s at Mayakoba
• Four players that won on the PGA TOUR in 2008 -- Brian Gay, Cameron Beckman, Richard S. Johnson, Chez Reavie

For an in-depth field analysis, click here.

SHEDDING THE LABEL: Could we have a first-time winner at the Mayakoba Golf Classic? It happened last year when Brian Gay won his maiden title after 293 starts on the PGA TOUR.

There are several players who could take this opportunity to get rid of the "best player never to win" label.

Steve Marino was runner-up last year in Mexico and has earned 11 top-10 finishes in 69 career starts. Two of those top 10s have come at El Camaleon.

John Merrick tied for third at this event last year and notched his best PGA TOUR finish just weeks ago at the 2009 Sony Open in Hawaii when he tied for second. Scott Piercy is also hungry for a win. The rookie came close at the FBR Open but settled for a tie for sixth.

The Film Room

Get to know Merrick John Merrick is one of the top young players in the field. He shows PGATOUR.COM where he learned to play in California. Watch it What to expect Preview the 2009 Mayakoba Golf Classic at Riviera Maya-Cancun, where 250 FedExCup points are available for the winner. Watch it Gay wins in 2008 Watch Brian Gay tap in on the final hole to win his first PGA TOUR title and get some love from his youngest fans. Watch it

WEEKLY VERSION: To sign up for a newsletter version of The Starter delivered to your e-mail address, click here.