Quintana Roo, Mexico - Billy Davis of Spring Valley, California, wins the first Mayakoba Invitational with a final score of 7-under-par 206.
The 2024 junior came from behind to find himself in a three-way playoff with second round leaders JP Odland of Tiburon, California, and Brooks Simmons of Dallas, Texas. Davis started the final round at 4-under-par 138, three strokes off the leader group.
Davis' day included low-final round honors at 3-under-par 68. An up-and-down front-nine with birdies on Nos. 1 and 8, along with bogeys on Nos. 4 and 7 to match had Davis making the turn at even-par 35. A bogey-free back nine with three birdies on Nos. 15, 16, and 17 closed out the Auburn commits final round. He held the clubhouse lead at 7-under-par 206 while Odland and Simmons were still on the course.
Closing bogeys on Nos. 17 and 18 by Simmons, and a closing birdie on No. 18 by Odland moved both players to 7-under-par 205 and forced a three-way playoff with clubhouse leader Davis.
Playoff here to decide the #MayakobaInv Champion.
— AJGA (@AJGAGolf) April 23, 2023
Simmons, Odland & Davis each finished the final round at -7. pic.twitter.com/R5jHltNvMb
The playoff began on No. 18 where pars by Simmons and Davis had them moving on to No. 16. Odland bogeyed the first hole and was eliminated in the sudden death format.
Simmons and Davis moved to No. 16, home of the Cenote, where Davis stuck his putt to within two feet of the hole. He tapped it in forcing Simmons to make the putt to extend the playoff. The Texas native left it short and Davis claimed the inaugural Mayakoba Invitational title.
This is Davis' first invitational title and second AJGA win.
The Mayakoba Invitational is a brand new 54-hole stroke play all-boys invitational in 2023. El Camaleón Golf Course, which has hosted multiple elite professional events, welcomes the AJGA back for the first time since 2010. The field, comprised of 72 boys, gathered in Cancun, Mexico, from around the world. This is the first full-field AJGA invitational to be contested outside the United States.
This years field included players from 14 countries and 18 states. There was also a strong representation of players from the host country, Mexico, with eight total.
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About Mayakoba
Nestled in the Mexican Riviera Maya, Mayakoba is a 620-acre resort and residential destination surrounded by the natural beauty of lagoons, jungle, tranquil waters and a sugar sand beach. Four meaningfully placed luxury hotels can be found within Mayakoba - Andaz Mayakoba, Banyan Tree Mayakoba, Fairmont Mayakoba and Rosewood Mayakoba - each with distinct personalities and amenities, perfectly complementing one another, and three collections of private residences, including Rosewood Residences Mayakoba, Fairmont Heritage Place Mayakoba, and The Reserve at Mayakoba.
Within the coveted destination are a wealth of lifestyle experiences including four acclaimed spas, more than 25 restaurants with eclectic cuisines and a village square that serves as an event space modeled after the historic colonial plazas in Mexico. In addition, guests have access to a three-mile-long nature trail and spectacular 18-hole golf course designed by renowned architect and PGA TOUR legend Greg Norman, which is home to the World Wide Technology Championship at Mayakoba, first PGA TOUR tournament in Mexico.
About El Camaleón
Designed by legendary Australian golfer Greg Norman, El Camaleón at Mayakoba was inaugurated in 2006. Like the chameleon, from which it takes its name, the course offers constantly changing views as it winds through three diverse ecosystems: the tropical Mayan jungle, mangrove wetlands and the Mexican Caribbean Sea coastline. Distinctive hazards such as cenotes (sink holes), extensive bunkers and crystal-clear fresh water canals are unique features of El Camaleón, certified by Audubon International for its commitment to the environment.
El Camaleón is also home of the only Jim McLean Golf School in Mexico and one of the top Golf Schools in America. The finest technology featuring Trackman, JC Video Analysis and other golf technology, allow instructors not just to learn, but to improve your game as much as you want. Also, its restaurant Koba Casa Club will give you the final touch to an unforgettable day of golf with spectacular views of the finishing hole, and fine dining based on fresh, local and high-quality products.