Tournament officials announced early player commitments for the 2014 edition of the OHL Classic at Mayakoba, scheduled for November 10-16 at El Camaleón Golf Club – Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, México.
Mexican star Carlos Ortiz, a three-time winner on the Web.com Tour this season, as well as the tournament’s 2013 champion Harris English headline the list of players who are making plans to compete in Mexico’s only PGA TOUR event. On the strength of his three victories, the 23-year-old Ortiz earned full playing privileges on the PGA TOUR for the 2014-2015 season, captured the Web.com Tour’s regular season money title and has been nominated for Player of the Year on that circuit. English, who is currently ranked 59th in the world, will attempt to become the first back-to-back champion of the event.
In addition, Mexico’s Oscar Fraustro and Jose de Jesus Rodriguez will return to Mayakoba to compete for the third and sixth occasions respectively. Fraustro earned his PGA TOUR membership during the Web.com Tour Finals events that ended on September 21. He earned enough money during that four-tournament stretch to also earn membership on the PGA TOUR for the 2014-2015 season.
Spain’s Gonzalo Fernandez-Castaño, who is currently 71st in the world after a productive season on the PGA TOUR and European Tour, will participate at Mayakoba for the third time in his career.
Each of the tournaments past champions will return—Fred Funk (2007), Brian Gay (2008), Mark Wilson (2009), Cameron Beckman (2010), Johnson Wagner (2011), John Huh (2012) and English (2013).
“This is always an exciting part of the year for us when we start confirming players who will either be coming to Mayakoba for the first time or those returning like our past champions”, said Joe Mazzeo, tournament director of the OHL Classic at Mayakoba.
The field for the OHL Classic will be comprised of PGA TOUR members, Open Qualifiers, Sponsor Exemptions and three special exemptions for Mexican professionals only. In all, 132 players will play the first two rounds. The field will then be cut to the low 70 scores and ties for the weekend. Players have until Friday, November 7, to commit.
OHL Classic, www.ohlclassic.com
Riviera Maya, www.rivieramaya.com