2020 Corales Puntacana Championship Preview
Corales Puntacana Resort & Club Championship
September 24 – September 27
Corales Golf Club | Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
Par 72 – 7,670 Yards
Defending: Graeme McDowell (-18) def Mackenzie Hughes and Chris Stroud (-17)
After Winged Foot played “easy” during round 1 last week, the course struck back rounds 2-4 and made guys work for everything. Bryson DeChambeau stuck to his strategy to attack the course and it paid off with a 6 stroke victory after heading into the final round 2 back of Matthew Wolff (2nd place finishing E). It was an all time round at the U.S. Open that might make guess think twice about if they need to be longer off the tee. Betting went well this weekend hitting Bryson DeChambeau winner (+2500) and Matthew Wolff/Harris English top 5’s (+1200 each).
This week, we head to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic for the Corales Puntacana Resort & Club Championship at Corales Golf Club, a long par-72 – 7,670 yard course. This is the fifth year of the tournament (2nd on PGA Tour as previously a Web.com event), and the weaker field we’ll see is due to a competing WGC event that has since been canceled (plus the US Open last week). Favorites this week are: Will Zalatoris (+1200), Corey Conners (+1400), Mackenzie Hughes (+1600), Adam Long (+2000), and Sam Burns (+2000).
Overall, we should expect the winner to go low as -18 has won each of the last two years. As a result of the revamped schedule, the tournament now counts toward the Fedex Cup and the winner earns a spot at the 2021 Masters. Other notables in the field include: Henrik Stenson (+2500), Kristoffer Ventura (+3300), Pat Perez (+3300), Charley Hoffman (+4000), defending champ Graeme McDowell (+5000), Will Gordon (+6600), and Beau Hossler (+8000).
The Course
Corales Golf Club | Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
Par 72 – 7,670 Yards
Par 3’s: 239, 204, 265, 214
Par 4’s: 433, 410, 465, 387, 399, 496, 446, 421, 461, 501
Par 5’s: 565, 515, 623, 626
Since this tournament is a lower end event held in the Dominican Republic, we don’t seem to get the same shot data as other tournaments which focuses analysis on some of the more standard stats across the board. The four par 5’s stick out right away this week so we’ll be sure to look at par 5 scoring as a key spot players can gain on the field. The par 4’s range from under 400 yards to over 500 yards this week with no real yardage sticking out. While the par 3’s will all play over 200, they range all the way up to hole #11 at 265 yards so tough to pick a true key distance there.
Strokes gained tee to green always has a strong correlation with results which is why we’ll be focusing there this week. Next up in a tournament where birdies can be had is birdie or better percentage. At 7,670 yards, this course is long and driving distance will be a huge advantage as long as guys aren’t too erratic off the tee. Lastly, shots gained putting will help highlight the top putters in the game who can make birdies in bunches.
Scoring Holes: The shorter par 5’s (#4-565 yards and #7-515 yards) will play more than half a stroke under par based on prior years and should give up plenty of eagles as they are very reachable holes.
Problem Holes: Two of the par 3’s will play the hardest this week at 239 yards (#2) and 265 yards (#11) and the 446 yard par-4 #13th has given players trouble in the past as well.
Some names that stick out on first glance this week are: Kristoffer Ventura, Sam Burns, Will Gordon, Grayson Murray, Brandon Hagy, Luke List and Seamus Power.
Previous Champions
2019 – Graeme McDowell -18 def. Mackenzie Hughes and Chris Stroud -17 (PGA Event)
2018 – Brice Garnett -18 def. Keith Mitchell -14 (PGA Event)
2017 – Nate Lashley -20 def. Augusto Nunez -19 (Web.com Tour Event)
2016 – Dominic Bozzelli -24 def. Blake Adams, Roberto Diaz, and Sam Ryder -20 (Web.com Tour Event)