Els headlines Honda Classic
IN: News | US PGA | The Honda Classic (2008) | Preview | by Bruce Young | 26 Feb 2008
The PGA Tour has moved east to begin a series of four events in Florida starting this week with the Honda Classic at Palm Beach Gardens and culminating at the WGC-CA Championship in Doral in a month’s time.
The Honda Classic began its life on the PGA Tour in 1972 when it was known as the Jackie Gleason Inverrary Classic but Honda became involved in the event’s sponsorship in 1982 and from 1984 onwards it has been known as the Honda Classic.
The tournament moved to the PGA National Resort & Spa in 2007 just north of Palm Beach and will again be played over the Tom and George Fazio designed / Jack Nicklaus redesigned layout in 2008. The course has previously played host to some of the game’s great events including the Ryder Cup and PGA Championship.
Last year Mark Wilson defeated Camilo Villegas, Boo Weekley and Jose Coceres in a playoff delayed by darkness to win his first USPGA Tour title. All four played only one hole of the playoff on Sunday evening and were forced to return on Monday morning before Wilson eventually outlasted Coceres at the third extra hole. Wilson won despite a two shot penalty he received for his caddie offering advice to Villegas in Friday’s second round.
The field in 2008 is perhaps stronger than that of last year’s with Ernie Els and Justin Rose headlining those taking part given that they are the two players in the field from the world top ten but Angel Cabrera, Sergio Garcia, Luke Donald and Zach Johnson are top twenty players in the field.
Els has been a mixture of late being beaten in last week’s Accenture in round one but prior to that was playing well enough in events in the Middle East and India to be a consideration this week. Els has won in Florida previously and regularly on Bermuda greens so this venue should hold no fears for him despite the fact that it will be his first time playing here.
Justin Rose has had an indifferent start to season 2008 missing the cut in Los Angeles and being bundled out of the Accenture in the opening round by Rod Pampling. Clearly he is a much better player than that but it might take another event of two before he is at his best again.
Luke Donald won this event two years ago, admittedly at another venue, but last year after a horror opening round at this venue recovered well. He lost in round two at the Accenture but prior to that was a very impressive third at the Northern Trust Open – form good enough to make him a genuine chance this week.
There is little doubt that Justin Leonard is back to his best. His very good week at the Accenture provides evidence of that but seven top tens in his last ten starts a better indication of the remarkable return to form over the last five months. He did miss the cut last year in this tournament but is playing much better now.
The defending champion Mark Wilson has played well enough in recent weeks for him to be a genuine chance to successfully defend. He is in better form than he was at this time last year as his 9th place in Scottsdale and his 11th place finish at Riviera would suggest.
Boo Weekley was runner up in this event last year and like Wilson is in better form now than he was leading into this event twelve months ago. I give him a very good chance of winning his second PGA Tour title this week. He seems to play well in Florida and this week might well be no exception.
The Australians are headed by Robert Allenby who was in the middle of a great run of form when he finished 5th in this event last year. He lives close to this venue and although not playing as well now as he was this time last year he is still in reasonable form and might do well.
Jason Day has had a two week break since his best PGA Tour finish when 6th at Pebble Beach. He is now finding his feet at this level and could have another good week.
Peter Lonard, Nathan Green, John Senden, Nathan Green, Richard Green, Nick Flanagan, Michael Sim, Mathew Goggin, Brett Rumford, Stephen Leaney and Tim Wilkinson make up the rest of the Australasians in the US$5.5 million event.
