Cabo San Lucas will be the new host of the PGA, replacing Cancun’s Mayakoba Golf course. The Tiger Woods design, El Cardonal will host the tournament’s greatest players in one of Mexico’s hottest vacation spots!
“We are honored and excited by the opportunity to showcase to the world what a great golf destination the region of Los Cabos has become,” said Ken Jowdy, CEO of Legacy Properties and developer of the par-72, 7,300-yard Diamante. “Hosting the World Wide Technology Championship will have an incredible impact on Los Cabos and bring unmatched exposure to our region. We are thankful to WWT and the PGA TOUR for bringing this world-class event to Diamante.”
Golf Digest via MSN
The PGA Tour has announced a major change for its fall schedule in 2023. The World Wide Technology Championship, which has been held at Mayakoba Resort in Riviera Maya since 2007, will move to a new venue: El Cardonal Golf Course at Diamante Cabo San Lucas. This will be the first PGA Tour event to be played on a course designed by Tiger Woods, who opened El Cardonal in 2014.
Why the change? According to the PGA Tour, the decision was made after the agreement with Mayakoba, which was designed by LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman, ended after 2022 . The Tour also wanted to showcase a different region of Mexico and a different style of golf. El Cardonal is located in Baja California Sur, on the Pacific coast of Mexico, and features a rugged desert landscape with ocean views and natural arroyos. The course is a par 72 that measures 7,300 yards from the back tees and challenges golfers with strategic bunkering, undulating greens and windy conditions .
What can we expect from the event? The World Wide Technology Championship will feature a field of 132 players competing for 500 FedExCup points and a $7.5 million purse. The date of the event is yet to be determined, but it will be part of the fall portion of the PGA Tour season, which starts after the FedExCup Playoffs in August and runs until December. The fall events are important for players who want to secure their eligibility for the following season and earn an early advantage in the FedExCup standings .
How will El Cardonal compare to Mayakoba? Both courses are highly rated by golfers and experts alike, but they offer different challenges and experiences. Mayakoba is a tropical paradise that winds through mangroves, canals and cenotes, with plenty of wildlife and vegetation. The course is relatively flat and forgiving, but requires accuracy and finesse to avoid water hazards and bunkers. El Cardonal is a desert gem that pays homage to the classic courses of Southern California, where Woods grew up playing. The course is more hilly and exposed, but offers wider fairways and generous landing areas. However, golfers will have to contend with elevation changes, crosswinds and tricky greens .
Both courses are worthy of hosting a PGA Tour event, but only one can do so in 2023. El Cardonal will be the new home of the World Wide Technology Championship, marking a historic moment for Woods and his design career. It will also be an opportunity for golf fans to see a different side of Mexico and enjoy some spectacular scenery and golf action.
