Steady Matt Kuchar goes clear at top of board down Mexico way

Sky Sports Golf, 6pm Saturday

Matt Kuchar leads the Mayakoba Classic by two shots going into the weekend, with rising star Cameron Champ alone in second place.

Two of the most contrasting players in the game head the leaderboard at El Camaleon, Mexico, with the experienced, neat, tidy and cheerful plodder Kuchar up against the inexperienced, raw, aggressive and intense powerhouse Champ.

It is a fascinating final group for round three and Kuchar, consistent and accurate, must be favoured on this layout. It is testament to how great Champ can become that he is able to compete on a course like this one, but few tracks on the circuit constrain the longest driver in the world quite like this one.

Champ carding a second-round 62 at El Camaleon has provided further evidence that this hugely impressive youngster will smash into the top ten of the world rankings next year, but Kuchar seems likely to edge him over the next two rounds in Mexico.

Not that the Mayakoba is a two-runner race. Far from it. Kuchar has not won on the US Tour since April, 2014, and is bound to feel plenty of pressure as he bids to end the drought at the age of 40. He has been in decline, finishing 76th in the FedEx Cup last season after spending eight consecutive seasons in the top 20, and tied for 68th when last teeing up at Mayakoba.

Kuchar, a seven-time US Tour victor, could easily take a lead into the final round, but punters should not be rushing to take the general 7-2. Champ, Richy Werenski, Whee Kim, Danny Lee, Patton Kizzire, Brian Gay, Kramer Hickok, Pat Perez, Abraham Ancer and Emiliano Grillo are all lurking just off the pace and well capable of making a move on Saturday.

And that is not to mention Tony Finau and Rickie Fowler, who are at eight under par, just six shots behind Kuchar. This tournament is wide-open with two rounds to go.

Ancer at 22-1 is perhaps the best value outright option, while the Mexican is the most appealing third-round threeball option. Ancer, who finished ninth last year and is in much better form 12 months later, can leave Kelly Kraft and Bud Cauley behind in the 3.15pm UK and Ireland time threeball.

Kuchar, Champ and Lee are scheduled on the tee at 4.05pm.

Threeballs recommendation
A Ancer
1pt 13-10 bet365

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