World Wide Technology Championship 2026
Overview
Dates: November 5, 2026 to November 8, 2026
Location: Los Cabos, Mexico
Course: El Cardonal at Diamante
Course Par: 72
Course Length: 7452
Prize Purse: $6000000
Last weeks Review:
Well, last week in Mexico delivered another place return for us through Ben Griffin, but there was simply no catching Andrew Novak, who operated on an entirely different level.
Perhaps the most intriguing takeaway from his victory was his post-tournament admission that he feels he’s found something with the putter. That’s a daunting prospect for the rest of the field, considering he had been languishing down in 153rd in the putting statistics. The remarkable thing about Novak is that every other aspect of his game is already highly accomplished. His ball-striking, approach play and all-round consistency have long suggested that he possessed the ingredients needed to become a regular contender.
If the putter really is beginning to cooperate, the rest of the PGA Tour should take notice. There are shades of Scottie Scheffler about the situation, a player who dominated tee-to-green for long periods before unlocking another level once his putting improved. It may be premature to place Novak in that category just yet, but the blueprint is certainly familiar. If this improvement with the flat stick proves sustainable, his breakthrough win may be just the beginning.
Preview
The PGA Tour’s FedEx Cup Fall swing heads to the spectacular coastline of Los Cabos, Mexico, for the World Wide Technology Championship, played at El Cardonal at Diamante, the first completed design by Tiger Woods. The course has quickly established itself as one of the most entertaining birdie-fests on the schedule, producing winning scores of -27, -24 and -29 in its first three editions.
With wide fairways, receptive conditions and plenty of scoring opportunities, players know they will need to make birdies in bunches if they are to contend. However, the ever-present coastal winds of Los Cabos mean that precision and adaptability remain vital despite the low scoring.
The Course: El Cardonal at Diamante
El Cardonal is a par 72 measuring 7,452 yards, situated on dramatic desert terrain overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The course opened in 2014 and became a PGA Tour host venue in 2023.
Unlike many modern resort layouts, Woods designed El Cardonal to offer strategic options rather than simply demanding power. The fairways are generally generous, encouraging aggressive driving, while numerous approach shots can be played along the ground when conditions allow.
One of the course’s defining features is the exposure to the elements. While scoring has been extremely low, wind can become a major factor and often changes direction throughout the day. Sandy arroyos and desert waste areas provide the primary hazards rather than thick rough.
Grass Complexes
One of the most important factors when handicapping this event is the turf.
Fairways: Paspalum
Rough: Paspalum
Greens: Paspalum
Paspalum is common in coastal and tropical climates and tends to play softer than Bermuda. Players who have historically performed well on paspalum surfaces, particularly those with strong records in Mexico, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and parts of Florida, often enjoy a natural advantage.
The greens are generally smooth and receptive, contributing to the exceptionally low winning scores seen since the tournament moved to Diamante.
Recent Champions
Since moving from Mayakoba to El Cardonal, the championship has produced three different winners:
2025 Ben Griffin -29
2024 Austin Eckroat -24
2023 Erik van Rooyen -27
Prior to the move to Diamante, the event was staged at El Camaleón, where notable winners included:
Russell Henley (2022)
Viktor Hovland (2021, 2020)
Brendon Todd (2019)
Matt Kuchar (2018)
Interestingly, every champion at El Cardonal has closed with a Sunday 63, highlighting just how aggressive players must be to get over the line.
What Skills Are Required To Succeed?
1. Elite Approach Play
As with most low-scoring PGA Tour events, iron play is king.
The wide fairways reduce the penalty for slightly errant drives, meaning the tournament is often decided by who creates the most birdie opportunities from 125-200 yards. Players capable of consistently attacking pins and generating high birdie rates should be favoured.
2. Birdie Making Ability
This is not typically a week for pars.
Winning scores have reached 24-, 27- and 29-under-par at El Cardonal, so players must remain aggressive throughout. Those who rank highly in Birdie or Better Percentage become particularly appealing.
3. Performance on Paspalum
Not every player adapts equally to paspalum greens.
Golfers with proven form at:
Vidanta Vallarta
Puerto Rico Open
Corales Puntacana
Mayakoba (historically)
often transfer that success to Diamante.
4. Wind Management
While scoring conditions can be benign, Los Cabos is known for unpredictable coastal breezes.
Players with strong ball-striking fundamentals and experience in windy environments tend to separate themselves when conditions become difficult.
5. Putting
With so many birdie chances available, converting opportunities becomes critical.
Recent winners such as Erik van Rooyen, Austin Eckroat and Ben Griffin all enjoyed excellent weeks on the greens during their victories.
Key Profile For Success
If you’re looking for the ideal World Wide Technology Championship contender, the profile is relatively clear:
Strong approach player
Comfortable on paspalum greens
Wind Player
Solid putter from 10-20 feet
The course allows bombers to thrive, but it is far from a pure power test. Wide fairways bring much of the field into play, making approach play, birdie conversion and comfort on paspalum surfaces the primary indicators of success.
With another winning score likely pushing beyond 20-under par, expect plenty of fireworks in Los Cabos as the FedEx Cup Fall season moves towards its conclusion.
Headline pick 5 units Jackson Koivun