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Full Speed Ahead At Doral
The quality of the field won’t be in question this week at the TPC Blue Monster at Doral (but the new name still seems to trip as it leaves my tongue). Save for Tiger Woods (personal issues) and Ryo Ishikawa (high school graduation, really), 68 of the best players in the world are on hand in Miami for the World Golf Championships – CA Championships.
What could be an enigma is just who is the frontrunner.
Many will look to defending champion Phil Mickelson but after repeatedly being chosen as the marked favorite each week that he has played this year, he has done nothing but disappoint.
And no offense to Alistair Presnell; I am sure he earned his spot among the world elite but even a keener like me had to scramble to the event media guide to discover even what country he hailed from.
So where does that leave us with the other 66? Thoroughly confused I say. This tournament might just fall into the hands of anybody in the field. Heck it could be Presnell adding the title to his 2010 win portfolio that includes the Celebrations Victorian PGA Championship.
Yes, I could point to Camilo Villegas with a win, a tie for third, and a tie for 8th in his only three Tour appearances this season but he might be an easy target.
For my money I am going to stay focused on Oliver Wilson. The Augusta State product appears to be playing solidly with top-20 form at The Honda Classic and a 3 & 1 record at the Match Play. He also finished tie for 5th here last year, with a smooth 66 on Sunday.
The fact is whoever wants to win the championship and the (USD) $1.53 million that goes with it, will have to go low. With no cut there is seemingly one gear necessary at Doral – full speed ahead. Reference Mickelson’s winning tally of 19 under par last year.
This may be the (TPC) Blue Monster but unless a hurricane blows, its teeth should be rather dull. The normal winds will try and protect the course but flattish putting surfaces and soft conditions expected due to rain will make this a shooting match of the highest accord. It sets up a birdie-fest with plenty of lead changes a distinct possibility.
One place you might see that is on the 16th hole. The short par four (372 yards) allows players to cut the corner to get close to the putting surface. According to ShotLink, 48 percent of the field actually went for the green off the tee in 2009, making it a great spectator hole. Ultimately Soren Hansen was the only player to successfully reach the surface. He did so in the final round and went on to make birdie.
There are still more than a few chances for disaster over the 7,334 yards (full course length – could be set up shorter) , including 11 water hazards, that makes up Doral so be sure to throw a few votes the way of a couple steady guys who know how to use the flat stick. Steve Stricker is an obvious one but also look to see Jim Furyk break out of his recent funk. He has proven in the past the he knows how to make birdies at Doral and the winner will need them in bunches.
Notes:
-The Kodak Challenge hole this week is the 8th, a mid-length par 5 of 560 yards where eagles are a distinct possibility. Three of them were made last year. See www.kodakchallenge.com to keep up on scoring.
– The course record is held by Stephen Ames of Canada at 61.
-The most difficult hole is still the 18th. The 467-yard par four closer usually plays into the wind and gave up only 11 birdies to the field in 2009
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This report provided to GolfWRX.com by Flagstick Golf Magazine (www.flagstick.com)
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Tour Photo Galleries
Photos from the 2024 RBC Heritage
GolfWRX is on site this week at Harbour Town Golf Links on Hilton Head Island for the RBC Heritage. Plenty of golfers who competed in the Masters last week will be making the quick turnaround in the Lowcountry of South Carolina as the Heritage is again one of the Tour’s Signature Events.
We have general albums for you to check out, as well as plenty of WITBs — including Justin Thomas and Justin Rose.
We’ll continue to update as more photos flow in from SC.
Check out links to all our photos, below.
General Albums
- 2024 RBC Heritage – Monday #1
- 2024 RBC Heritage – Monday #2
- 2024 RBC Heritage – Tuesday #1
- 2024 RBC Heritage – Tuesday #2
WITB Albums
- Justin Thomas – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Justin Rose – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Chandler Phillips – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Nick Dunlap – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Thomas Detry – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Austin Eckroat – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Xander Schauffele – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Jason Day – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Will Zalatoris – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Patrick Cantlay – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Ludvig Aberg – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Collin Morikawa – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Sam Burns – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Stephen Jaeger – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
Pullout Albums
- Wyndham Clark’s Odyssey putter – 2024 RBC Heritage
- JT’s new Cameron putter – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Justin Thomas testing new Titleist 2 wood – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Cameron putters – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Odyssey putter with triple track alignment aid – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Scotty Cameron The Blk Box putting alignment aid/training aid – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Cameron putter – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Odyssey Ai One Eleven T putters – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Christian Bezuidenhout – testing new Callaway Ti 340 mini driver – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Rory McIlroy testing the new TaylorMade BRNR Mini Driver Copper – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Xander Schauffele testing the Callaway Ti 340 mini driver & the DUW – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Byeong Hun An, two new L.A.B. Golf putter builds with “T” alignment – 2024 RBC Heritage
See what GolfWRXers are saying and join the discussion in the forums.
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