The Honda Classic starts the PGA TOUR Florida swing at PGA National’s Champion Course. Y. E. Yang was the sixth alternate last year and now starts the week as the defending champion. Can he repeat?
It seems the buzz surrounds the European players this week. The top – ranked – players in the field this week are Lee Westwood, Paul Casey, Rory McIlroy and Padraig Harrington. Others favored in the first Florida event of the PGA TOUR season are Robert Allenby, Sergio Garcia and Camillo Villegas.
So, where are the American’s?
The biggest buzz around an American golfer goes to Rickie Fowler. The rookie finished second last week and seems to have found a groove after a couple of missed cuts in the first two months of the season. Matt Kuchar has played well through seven events this year. Kuchar has a third place finish (SBS Championship) and a second (Bob Hope Classic) – can he notch his first victory of 2010 this week?
Yes, no Tiger Woods or Phil Mickelson. But, the Honda Classic brings on thoughts of Spring and the Masters. The Masters is still a few weeks away and the Honda Classic – at least with first time major winners – can provide some insight into who will top a major this year. Last year, Yang’s win sparked a season that saw him topple Woods at the PGA Championship for his first major title. In the past, Harrington claimed victory at the Honda Classic before stringing together three major titles. And, Todd Hamilton took home the Honda and British Open championships in the same season. Will this be Garcia’s time? Or, Allenby? What about a guy like Tim Clark – who is still looking for his first PGA TOUR win?
PGA TOUR starts Florida swing with Honda Classic
It seems the buzz surrounds the European players this week. The top – ranked – players in the field this week are Lee Westwood, Paul Casey, Rory McIlroy and Padraig Harrington. Others favored in the first Florida event of the PGA TOUR season are Robert Allenby, Sergio Garcia and Camillo Villegas.
So, where are the American’s?
The biggest buzz around an American golfer goes to Rickie Fowler. The rookie finished second last week and seems to have found a groove after a couple of missed cuts in the first two months of the season. Matt Kuchar has played well through seven events this year. Kuchar has a third place finish (SBS Championship) and a second (Bob Hope Classic) – can he notch his first victory of 2010 this week?
Yes, no Tiger Woods or Phil Mickelson. But, the Honda Classic brings on thoughts of Spring and the Masters. The Masters is still a few weeks away and the Honda Classic – at least with first time major winners – can provide some insight into who will top a major this year. Last year, Yang’s win sparked a season that saw him topple Woods at the PGA Championship for his first major title. In the past, Harrington claimed victory at the Honda Classic before stringing together three major titles. And, Todd Hamilton took home the Honda and British Open championships in the same season. Will this be Garcia’s time? Or, Allenby? What about a guy like Tim Clark – who is still looking for his first PGA TOUR win?