FREE 02/20 PGA Cheat Sheet: Mexico Open DFS Plays

The 2025 Mexico Open at VidantaWorld presents an interesting DFS slate with a weaker-than-usual field, headlined by just four players ranked inside the world’s top 50. With an average salary of $7,117 and no clear-cut value plays (12x+), lineup construction will require some creativity. The course, a Greg Norman design, is long at over 7,400 yards but forgiving off the tee thanks to wide fairways and manageable rough. Driving distance and approach play will be key stats to target, as the slow paspalum greens level the playing field for weaker putters. This setup should lead to plenty of birdie opportunities despite some challenging par 3s.

With only two players projected for high ownership (20%+), this slate offers a chance to differentiate your lineups in tournaments while targeting mid-range options who excel in strokes gained: tee-to-green and driving distance. The lack of elite talent means you’ll want to prioritize balanced builds or take calculated risks on low-owned players capable of capitalizing on VidantaWorld’s scoring-friendly layout. Wind could also play a factor given the coastal location, so keep an eye on weather updates closer to lock. Let’s dive into our top plays for this slate.

Premium Plays ($10,000+)

Top Play: Akshay Bhatia ($10,700)

Akshay Bhatia comes into the Mexico Open at Vidanta with strong appeal despite his elevated $10,700 salary and projected 30.2% ownership. His consistency is a key selling point, boasting an 82.4% make-cut rate and a solid projection of 80 DraftKings points. Bhatia’s ability to gain strokes with his irons—highlighted by ranking seventh in SG: Approach during his recent top-10 finish at The Genesis Invitational—positions him well for Vidanta’s approach-heavy layout. Additionally, his high optimal lineup percentage (16.4%) suggests he has the upside to justify both his price tag and popularity in DFS lineups.

However, the high ownership means you’ll need to weigh whether Bhatia’s chalky profile fits your tournament strategy. While he offers a steady floor for cash games, his popularity does limit differentiation in large-field GPPs unless paired with lower-owned options. Still, given his recent form and course fit, fading him entirely feels risky—especially on a course where accurate iron play can shine. If you’re comfortable eating some chalk, Bhatia remains a strong play across formats this week.

Other Premium Options

• Kurt Kitayama ($10,200, MakeCut: 75.1%, Own: 22.4%)
• Rasmus Hojgaard ($10,100, MakeCut: 73.4%, Own: 19.3%)

Mid-Range Plays ($8,000-$9,999)

Top Play: Harry Hall ($9,300)

Harry Hall ($9,300) presents an intriguing option at the Mexico Open, though his elevated ownership (13.3%) warrants careful consideration. With a solid 70.8% make-cut rate and a projection of 72.8 DraftKings points, Hall offers both a stable floor and reasonable upside for this price range. His value metric of 7.83x and optimal lineup percentage of 16.2% suggest he has the potential to outperform expectations in this field. Hall’s game fits well at Vidanta Vallarta, where accurate driving and steady approach play will be crucial, especially given his consistency with six straight top-25 finishes in recent starts.

The downside is the chalk factor—Hall is one of the more popular plays this week relative to the field average ownership of 4.6%. However, his profile supports the higher rostership, as he combines strong recent form with dependable cut equity, making him a viable cash-game anchor or a safer tournament option despite limited leverage. If you’re comfortable eating some chalk in exchange for stability and course fit, Hall could be worth locking into your lineups at this salary tier.

Other Mid-Range Options

• Michael Kim ($9,200, MakeCut: 69.3%, Own: 13.8%)
• Niklas Norgaard Moller ($8,400, MakeCut: 70.9%, Own: 14.0%)
• Taylor Moore ($9,000, MakeCut: 68.9%, Own: 16.6%)

Value Plays ($7,000-$7,999)

First Value Play: Mac Meissner ($7,900)

Mac Meissner ($7,900) presents an intriguing mid-range option for the Mexico Open at Vidanta. His 62.2% make-cut rate and a solid projection of 65.3 DraftKings points suggest a stable floor with upside, particularly given his value rating of 8.26x. Ranked fourth in tournament projections and second in cash formats, Meissner’s metrics align well for this event, especially on a course where accurate approach play and scoring opportunities will be key. While his recent form isn’t flashy, his consistency—closing 2024 with three straight top-40 finishes—indicates he’s capable of delivering value at this price point.

At 7.8% projected ownership, Meissner is slightly above the field average but far from chalky, making him a reasonable option in both cash games and tournaments. His optimal lineup percentage of 11.3% further supports his potential to outperform expectations relative to salary. For those looking to differentiate lineups without sacrificing too much cut equity, Meissner offers a balanced mix of safety and upside that fits well into builds targeting mid-tier players with strong value profiles.

Second Value Play: Patrick Fishburn ($7,800)

Patrick Fishburn ($7,800) presents an intriguing mid-range option for the Mexico Open at VidantaWorld. His recent form is a standout, with back-to-back top-10 finishes at the Sony Open and RSM Classic, where his short game shined. While the Vidanta layout isn’t overly reliant on around-the-green play, Fishburn’s ability to gain strokes with the putter could be a valuable asset on these slower paspalum greens. With a solid 64.4% make-cut rate and a strong value rating (8.43x), he offers a nice mix of safety and upside for his price point. His projection of 65.8 DraftKings points ranks him 10th in the field, which is impressive given his salary.

At 8.2% projected ownership, Fishburn sits slightly above field average but remains manageable for both cash games and tournaments. He’s not necessarily a leverage play, but his moderate rostership reflects confidence in his consistency without being overly chalky. The course fit may not scream elite upside compared to bombers or elite ball-strikers here, but Fishburn’s steady form and strong baseline stats make him a reliable option in this range. If you’re looking for balanced roster construction with some win equity, Fishburn checks plenty of boxes this week.

Other Value Options

• Joe Highsmith ($7,200, MakeCut: 55.2%, Own: 6.6%)
• Matti Schmid ($7,000, MakeCut: 54.9%, Own: 8.6%)
• Lanto Griffin ($7,300, MakeCut: 56.8%, Own: 7.3%)

Good luck! Make sure to check the Lineup Optimizer for latest updates before lock. Visit DFS Hero for our full suite of DFS tools including the Lineup Optimizer, Contest Simulator, Player Projections, and Ownership Projections. Use code HEROPLAY15 to get 15% off your first month!