When the PGA Tour arrives on the American East Coast, it becomes a countdown to something we all covet – the playing of The Masters.
The arrival of the world’s premier tour in Florida this week for the Honda Classic is not only a sign of great major golf to come, but also affirms that the larger majority of North Americans will be able to hit the links soon as well.
Unfortunately for the Honda Classic it has had a less than glamorous life as an also-ran within the Florida Swing. This year though, it is shaping up to be quite an event. Strangely enough the surprise champion from last year, Y.E. Yang of Korea, might just be part of the reason.
If you look through the online PGA Tour directory of players you will find Mr. Yang’s name on the bottom of the list. It’s alphabetical, of course, but as far as recognition is concerned it was likely the same position he held for most North American golf fans as 2009 dawned.
Yang had played a full season on the PGA Tour in 2008 but struggled his way to 145th on the FedEx Cup points list. To say he was an underdog heading to the 2009 Honda Classic is a HUGE understatement.
But by the end of the tournament last year the now 28 year-old Yang was a hot topic and was crowned as the new face of male Korean golfers in America. He joined 7-time PGA Tour winner K.J. Choi as the only Korean born winners on the Tour.
A winner on both the European and Japanese Tour, Yang confirmed he had a future in golf on a worldwide stage later in the year with his heart-stopping hybrid shot that ripped the PGA Championship out of the hands of Tiger Woods.
Heading into this week’s tournament Yang looks prepared to put up a strong defense of his first PGA Tour title. He is coming off his best round of the year, a 65 on Sunday at the Waste Management Phoenix Open, that propelled his to 3rd place.
This week the field is solidified by the occurrence of the World Championships – CA Championship set to follow at nearby Doral next week. And it will have a strong international flavor. Among the players taking to the PGA National Resort & Spa Champion Course this week will be Lee Westwood, Paul Casey, Rory McIlroy, and Padraig Harrington – all currently ranked among the top ten players in the world.
2010 tournament winners Ben Crane, Ryan Palmer, and Bill Haas will also tee it in Palm Beach Gardens, all vying for the $1.008 million first place prize.
Also keep an eye on Ernie Els, who is playing a home game as a Palm Beach resident, along with notables Sergio Garcia, and Rickie Fowler – hot from his 2nd place showing in Phoenix. Also watch for Robert Allenby who has not won at the Honda but finished inside the top 5 each year of the last three. He also lives nearby.
All the contenders will have to have their game in top form to take on the PGA National Champion Course. With the wind already blowing hard off the ocean this week the 9th hardest course on the PGA Tour in 2009 (of 51 played) demands the best of their skills. At 7158-yards and playing to a par of just 70, peril awaits, even beyond the famous “Bear Trap”. The trio of holes at #15-17 was the 4th toughest three-hole stretch on tour last year, relative to par.
As usual Golf Channel will broadcast the early rounds while NBC picks up the weekend coverage. Sirius XM Radio has eight hours (12-8 EST) of coverage each day.
Equipment Notes:
- Watch for Golf Bag Pics at GolfWRX.com
- Several players are reported to have changed to graphite irons shafts this week
- Ryan Palmer is trying the TaylorMade SuperFast driver and might make a switch to play it this week.
This report provided to GolfWRX.com by Flagstick Golf Magazine (www.flagstick.com)
