Tony Finau ready to make a run at defending his Mexico Open title in Vallarta

Finau has finished no worse than 47th in his first five events of 2024 and recorded a best result of sixth in the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines, where he finished three shots behind France's Matthieu Pavon.

Such form has seen him installed as the favourite to win back-to-back titles at Vidanta Vallarta, where the world number 24 is the top-ranked player ahead of Denmark's Nicolai Hojgaard.

"It's awesome (to be back)," Finau told a pre-tournament press conference. "We love this place.

"I said it last year after we left, our family's really fallen in love with this place and to be back defending this year is pretty special. I'm really happy to be back on a golf course that I love.

"Once you get on the golf course, you know it's a course that you've had success and you've won before so you definitely have that sense of confidence I think walking around a place that you've won before.

"This golf course is high on my list as far as courses that look good to me and that I like, so I'll be looking to definitely get after it again this week and try and defend this title.

"I feel like the game's in a good place. I've had a couple nice finishes on the west coast.

"Had a chance to win at Torrey, a golf course that I like and have had success as well.

"I feel prepared. I've done some good work in the off-season with my body just to be strong.

"This golf course yields some birdies and I can really swing the driver with some freedom out here as there's a few holes that are pretty lenient as far as hitting areas, so I love that, being able to hit it hard and play this type of golf course.

"I do feel like I'm primed to go on a run starting this week."

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