This week there will be plenty of players to give Tiger Woods a run for the money, especially since Tiger won’t be there. I know, I know, that’s mean to say but it seems the case lately that if Tiger isn’t there to win an event then someone is there to lose and win it for him. However, this week isn’t about him, it’s about the several first time winners at Mirasol the past few years including the defending champion Padraig Harrington. Last year, Padraig blazed the field and tied the course record and his career best with a 63 and should get the credit for the win but still needed Vijay to miss a three-footer to secure the win on the second playoff hole.
Padraig isn’t the only news this week, let’s take a look at what else is in store for us this week.
The Honda Classic dates back to 1972 when it began as Jackie Gleason’s Inverrary Classic when Tom Weiskopf beat Jack Nicklaus by one stroke. Though Jack is the only player to win this event back to back when he did it in 1977 and 1978. Now aside from Jack, Johnny Miller and Mark Calcavecchia are the only other players to win the tournament multiple times with two each.
So 2006 will be the fourth and final year at The Country Club at Marisol for the Honda Classic. This is a little bitter sweet for some players on the tour who love the different venue while many look forward to the event moving across the street to the Champions Club at PGA National. One thing that will remain the same is the name, just announced, Honda resigned for another six years to remain the title sponsor. Since 2006 is the final year for the Ford Championship at Doral due to its change in sponsor, format and date, the 2007 Honda Classic will now kickoff the Florida Swing.
As I mentioned above the Honda Classic has been good to first time winners, in 2004 Todd Hamilton won at the Honda Classic by one stroke over Davis Love III. Speaking of which, Davis is confidant that the PGA National will host a great event but may not welcome the change since he has finished runner up twice in the last three years at Mirasol. Last year was no different as Padraig tied the course record of 63 in his final round to enter a playoff with Vijay Singh and Joe Ogilvie where ultimately Vijay missed a short putt to give Padraig his first PGA Tour win. What’s more amazing is that he made 9 birdies in a 10 hole stretch and came from seven shots back which is a tournament best.
That’s amazing considering how tough this course can play, especially holes 13, 14 and 16 which rank right up there as some of the toughest holes on the PGA Tour. All three are long dogleg par-4’s which require a player to be exact in ball placement to setup a feasible second shot. Hole 13 is best played with a fade off the tee but with a well struck drive still requires a solid second shot with a mid to long iron. Hole 14 usually plays downwind which helps a players drive but the elevated green and grass bunkers surrounding it really require an accurate second shot. Finally hole 16 in a long dogleg left what usually plays with the prevailing wind, has water down the left side and asks a player to leave their second shot just short and below the hole.
This week should see several contenders including Camillo Villegas who after two runner up finishes this season at the FBR Open and at last weeks Ford Championship, this 24-year old is going places quickly. His interesting putting routine may have you scratching your head but his results thus far allow him to claw his way to the top. Davis Love III is a favorite of mine considering he’s finished runner up in two of the last three years, five top tens and in his 11 starts here has never missed a cut. 2006 has seen one his best starts in years. So long as Davis’ back can hold up I hope to see him win before Michelle Wie does this year.
This year’s purse is $5.5 million with $990,000 going to the winner. The Honda Classic will be held at The Country Club at Mirasol in Pal Beach Gardens, Florida. From March 6 – March 12, 2006 it can be seen on USA and NBC plus heard on XM Radio on at the following times:
Thu, 3/9 4pm-6pm ET USA Fri, 3/10 4pm-6pm ET USA Sat, 3/11 3pm-6pm ET NBC Sun, 3/12 3pm-6pm ET NBC
Thu, 3/9 12pm-6pm ET XM 146 Fri, 3/10 12pm-6pm ET XM 146 Sat, 3/11 12pm-6pm ET XM 146 Sun, 3/12 12pm-6pm ET XM 146
There will be no repeat of a Phil vs. Tiger final round of the 33rd