Meet the legendary golfers who have left their mark at Mayakoba’s golf course. 

Golf history is made every day at El Camaleón, Mayakoba’s iconic golf course. Designed by Greg Norman, this 18-hole, par 72 course traverses the Riviera Maya’s intriguing landscape, leading players through mangroves, lagoons, and tropical jungle, all the way to the Caribbean’s shimmering blue. Throughout its history, El Camaleón has been host to memorable games –from guests’ treasured holiday matches to more than 20 prestigious international tournaments, including 16 PGA Tours, 2 LIV Golf events, and one LPGA tournament. No wonder golfers of all levels and nationalities are fans of this spectacular Riviera Maya golf course. Let’s take a look at some of the most talented golfers who have swung their way to glory at El Camaleón.

Ladies First: The LPGA at El Camaleón

The thrill of women’s golf took over El Camaleón in May 2025, when the Riviera Maya golf course welcomed the first LPGA tournament in Mexico since 2017. The four-day event –and the only stop in Mexico for the 2025 LPGA Tour– welcomed 10 gifted players from across the world, including Americans Jenny Bae, who finished second, and Kristen Gillman, as well as Koreans Jenny Shin and Haeji Kang, who placed third. Ultimately, it was Japanese player Chisato Iwai who took the crown with a 6-under 66 par on the fourth round. At 23 years old, Iwai joined the LPGA Tour in 2025, making Mayakoba her first LPGA victory.

LIV Golf Mayakoba: A New Approach to the Game  

Made up of 54 international players –fun fact: LIV is 54 in Roman numbers–, LIV Golf is a contemporary golf league founded in 2021, placing both individual golfers and teams in exciting competitions. LIV Golf made El Camaleón its home in 2023 and 2024. During its February 2023 debut, LIV Golf Invitational Mayakoba hosted an impressive roster of international players, including Mexican favorites Carlos Ortiz, a member of the Torque team, and Abraham Ancer, who plays with Fireballs GC. It was American golfer Charles Howell III, though, who took first place, with a total score of -16. His team, Crushers GC, also took home the team trophy.

A year later, LIV Golf came back to Mayakoba with 54 players ready to make El Camaleón their own. In its second edition, it was Chilean player Joaquín Niemann (also a member of Tourque) who took home the trophy, followed by Spain’s Sergio García (Fireballs GC) and South Africa’s Dean Burmester (Stinger GC) in the second and third spots, respectively. Led by Spanish player Jon Rahm, Legion XIII snagged the team trophy.

El Camaleón, a PGA Legend

As the first golf course in Latin America to host the PGA Tour, El Camaleón immediately captured the hearts of golfers (and fans) across the world. From 2007 to 2022, some of the most talented and renowned players made their way to the Mexican Caribbean to face the beautiful challenge of playing among the Mayan jungle and the turquoise sea. The first tournament champions were Americans Fred Funk (2007), Brian Gay (2008), and Mark Wilson (2009), followed by Cameron Beckam (2010), Johnson Wagner (2011), and John Huh (2012). 

The next batch of winners brought Americans Harris English (2013) and Charley Hoffman (2014) to the podium, while 2015 was Northern Ireland’s turn with a win from Graeme McDowell. Pat Pérez (2016), Patton Kizzire (2017), Matt Kuchar (2018), and Brendon Todd (2019) kept the US firmly planted in the winner’s circle, but Viktor Hovland brought golf glory to Norway with back-to-back trophies in 2020 and 2021. American Russell Henley triumphed in the 2022 event.

AJGA at Mayakoba: A Spotlight on Young Talent

Fostering promising young players is the American Junior Golf Association’s (AJGA) mission, and El Camaleón has been the proud host of this event twice: in May of 2023 and 2024. California’s Billy Davis was crowned the winner at the 2023 Mayakoba Invitational, while Charles Nelson from Dallas emerged victorious in 2024. The 2024 edition welcomed 72 talented boys from nine different countries, including eight Mexican players, like Eduardo Derbez from Monterrey and Leonardo Lavalle from Querétaro. 

A Game to Remember: Playing Golf in Mayakoba

Its unique Riviera Maya location, world-class facilities, and legendary events make El Camaleón a bucket list course for any golf aficionado. As you perfect your game in this Mexico golf course, you will encounter an incomparable natural setting and even the creatures that live in it, like coatís, tropical birds, and perhaps even deer. El Camaleón’s GPS-led golf carts make your game seamless, while its welcoming team offers expertise and hospitality at every turn: from the Jim McLean Academy, where you can elevate your game, to the Pro-Shop at The Clubhouse, where you can find the chicest golf equipment and apparel. Of course, no visit is complete without a stop at Koba, where gourmet meals are served with a side of stunning golf course views.

Play where the greatest have played and experience a golf course like no other. Book your stay in Mayakoba now and feel the power of El Camaleón.

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