The PGA Tour heads to the Corales Puntacana Resort & Club Championship, in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic for the 2025 edition of the Corales Puntacana Championship. Damien Kayat previews.
2025 US PGA Tour
Corales Puntacana Championship
Corales Golf Club, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
17 – 20 April
It’s quite a challenge to preview another golfing event in the wake of Rory’s herculean effort at Augusta (least of all an opposite-field event).
It just feels like the whole golfing world is locked in some Rory-induced mass hysteria (deservedly so). But the show, as they say, must go on.
Most of the media attention will be focused on Harbour Town Golf Links this week, as World No.1 Scottie Scheffler gears up to defend his title in the 5th Signature Event of the season.
The less illustrious PGA Tour pros descend on the Dominican Republic for the 2nd opposite field of the year: the Corales Puntacana Championship.
Corales Puntacana Championship
I personally enjoy the more subdued atmosphere of these opposite-field events (which always seem to be played on eye-catching coastal layouts).
There is plenty to play for, with players desperate to possibly edge their way into Signature Event territory. This tournament began life back on the Korn Ferry Tour in 2016 and was elevated to full PGA Tour status in 2018.
It has the distinction of being the first full US PGA Tour event to be played in the Dominican Republic. It previously played opposite to the now defunct WGC Match-Play, switching to RBC Heritage week last year.
Corales Golf Club
The Tom Fazio-designed Corales Course is a breathtakingly beautiful resort known for low-scoring conditions. Measuring a touch over 7,600 yards, some might be fooled into thinking this is comparable to one of those sadistic US Open setups.
That couldn’t be further from the truth. This Paspalum layout has flat, generous fairways and excruciatingly slow greens. It is a gettable coastal course that can be susceptible to strong gusts.
Six of the holes flank the Caribbean Coast, making for some awe-inspiring armchair viewing. The final three holes- ominously known as the ‘Devil’s Elbow’ – is where the tournament can shift dramatically.
The final hole is the true piece de resistance, requiring a visually intimidating forced carry over the Bay of Corales. The 18th averaged 3.98 in benign conditions last year (the first time in six springtime editions that one of the last three holes played under par).
The breeze is expected to stiffen on the weekend, and solid wind players could prosper. I think this event- as with many low-scoring birdie-fests- will boil down to what is done with the flatstick.
Look for players who find plenty of greens and make plenty of putts.
Contenders
Keith Mitchell – at 98 in the current world rankings- is the highest-ranked player in the field. He is fresh off a pair of top 20 finishes and is an understandable presence near the top of the markets.
Ben Griffin has been in solid form this year, while Alex Smalley is a great horses-for-courses pick. Thorbjorn Olsen is dreaming of a spot on the European Ryder Cup side and could blossom in this diminished field.
Harry Hall and Seamus Power also stand out amongst a strong European contingent. This should make for nice, leisurely viewing for those who want to decompress after the chaos of the Masters.
Past Winners
2024: Billy Horschel (-23)
2023: Matt Wallace (-19)
2022: Chad Ramey (-17)
2021: Joel Dahmen (-12)
2020: Hudson Swafford (-18)
To Win Outright:
Keith Mitchell 16/1 | Ben Griffin 16/1 | Alex Smalley 18/1 | Harry Hall 20/1 | Thorbjorn Olesen 25/1
Value Bet
Rick Hoey – To Win 33/1
Hoey won his first Korn Ferry event back in 2025, finishing 4th in the season-ending points list. That earned him passage to the PGA Tour in 2024, where he picked up four top tens and a runner-up in 28 events (finishing T33 in this event).
He arrives in decent nick, picking up a pair of top 25 finishes since the beginning of March (including a T11 at the Texas Children’s Open).
He ranks 3rd on the PGA Tour in SG: off-the-tee and 4th in GIR percentage. His ability to find the greens and set up birdie chances could prove critical this week.
The Man to Beat – Thorbjorn Olesen – To Win 25/1
I think that prolific DP World Tour winner Thorbjorn Olesen could keep the European party going this weekend. He looked impressive in his most recent outing, finishing in a tie for 5th at TPC San Antonio.
He also did that with his best weapon- his putter- not fully cooperating. He narrowly missed the cut at the Cognizant Classic and Houston Open (which featured much stronger fields than this).
Olesen likes space off the tee, and his last two victories have come on Paspalum layouts. The breeze is supposed to be up on the weekend, and Olsen – a former Dunhill Links champ- should thrive in those conditions.
