WGC Mexico Championship could be the best tournament of the year

While golf fans look forward to big ticket events like the Masters or the Presidents Cup, this week’s World Golf Championships tournament in Mexico City could trump them all.

The winner of this week’s WGC Mexico Championship at Mexico City’s Club de Golf Chapultepec won’t add a green jacket to his wardrobe. He won’t be dubbed the Champion Golfer of the Year, pocket $10 Million or take home an Olympic gold medal.

While the event may not carry the same prestige as a Major or a Ryder Cup, it does have all the ingredients to make it the best event on the PGA Tour schedule.

Let’s take a look at what makes this tournament so much fun.

The Timing: The Super Bowl is over, the polar vortexes are (hopefully) behind us and the most interesting MLB storyline is speculating on whether the Yankees would make Bryce Harper cut his hair. Whether you love the game or not, golf is your best bet for weekend viewing.

We’ve reached a point in the golf season where the players need to find their game. Next month they head to TPC Sawgrass for the Players Championship, and after that we’re treated to a monthly dose of majors.

The offseason is over, and fans can feel the sense of urgency building as the heart of the season approaches.

The Field: Look at this leaderboard, an international who’s who of superstars and champions. 46 of the top 50 in the World Rankings. 16 major winners. Some guy named Tiger. It’s not all about Rory McIlroy, Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka and the gang.

This is the week when the Europeans skip over the pond and other international names show up. Francesco Molinari, Thorbjorn “Thunder Bear” Oleson and Kiradech Aphibarnrat, to name a few (If you aren’t a fan of Aphibarnrat, please do yourself a favor and click that link).

For me, the season doesn’t really start until Louis Oosthuizen and his traveling mattress call North America home.

The Venue: Club de Golf Chapultepec provides one of the most exciting venues of the season. First of all, Mexico City’s altitude allows the players to add about 15 percent to their distances. This means us mortals get to watch these guys hammer drives well over 350 yards.

As an embarrassingly scrawny 30-year-old man, I apply the same 15 percent rule to my height and weight when I renew my driver’s license.

In addition to the regional altitude, the course features drastic elevation changes. The drop from the highest point on the course to the lowest is more than 200 feet.

As if this weren’t challenging enough for players gauging distances and making club selections, they also have to navigate steep, deceptive greens.

The course can punish players who aren’t on top of their game, just look at Tiger Woods’ first hole, which required a highlight reel bunker shot to salvage a double bogey six. Meanwhile, those who hit their spots can put on a show.

Who doesn’t like watching Tour pros take advantage of reachable par 4s?

The History: This tournament has been played at Club de Golf Chapultepec since 2017, making this week’s action only the third year in Mexico City. Somehow, despite only have two years’ worth of history, the tournament boasts one of the best finishes I’ve ever seen.

You may remember Phil Mickelson ending his winless streak by holding off Justin Thomas in a playoff last year. If you don’t, spoiler alert, Justin holed out for eagle to force the extra holes.

The Stakes: As a WGC event, the Mexico Championship has more FedEx Cup points at stake than a typical PGA Tour event. Beyond that, it’s a no-cut tournament with a limited field of 72 players and big purse. The winner takes home more than $1.7 million. More than enough to tip his caddie.

As far as golf tournaments go, it’s a big deal. But it’s not so big that the broadcast forces you sit through historical montages, long-winded interviews with Augusta National board members or replays of Gary Player’s ceremonial tee shot.

It’s a big enough deal to be appointment viewing, but not so big that your boss will be suspicious if you call in sick. It’s the Goldilocks of golf tournaments: just right.

At time of writing, the players are still on the course for round 1. Here’s what I’ve caught so far:

• A Tiger Woods first hole implosion
• Rory McIlory on 59 watch
• A classic Tyrell Hatton demonstrative overreaction
• Tony Finau casually driving the ball 402 yards

What more can a golf fan ask for?