Woods targets WGC-CA title number seven
IN: News | European PGA | CA Championship (2008) | Preview | by Bruce Young | 19 Mar 2008
Doral Golf Resort and Spa’s Blue Course near Miami will play host to the WGC-CA Championship for the second consecutive year, the event being played in the same venue for just the second occasion in its nine year history.
Tiger Woods looks to win this title for the seventh time and if he is able to do so will move into second position on the list of most wins in a single event, which is currently held by Sam Snead who won the Greater Greensboro Open on eight consecutive occasions between 1938 and 1965.
Woods is defending a title he won by two over Brett Wetterich twelve months ago. Woods had arrived in Miami last year following a disastrous final nine holes at Bay Hill but a second round of 66 gave him the lead and he never looked back despite a tough and demanding last day and a spirited challenge from Wetterich.
Woods comes to this event looking to take his consecutive number of PGA Tour wins to six and overall wins to eight including the Dubai Classic and his own Target Challenge. Given Woods’ stunning record at the venue – namely three victories, a runner up and a 9th place finish in five starts the question is no doubt being asked just how he can be beaten. The glorious uncertainty that is golf might yet have a surprise for us all but it will be a surprise that’s for sure.
Phil Mickelson and Doral have had their moments both ways, a runner up finish in 2005 behind Woods by far his best after leading into the final round. After a good start to the season, Mickelson has not been quite so good in the past few weeks but he is still the man most likely to take it to Tiger on a regular basis and as such should be considered.
Vijay Singh is regaining his form and has had a series of good tournament at Doral without winning. His very good third place last week at the Arnold Palmer has him primed for a good week.
Ernie Els has a good record at Doral including his win in 2002 and his gritty win at the recent Honda Classic suggests he is not far from the sort of form he is known for. He missed the cut at the PODS Championship and did not play last week at Bay Hill. He handles Bermuda greens well and is likely to have a good week.
Justin Rose has only played four events in 2008 but is clearly returning to the form he displayed for much of 2007. His last two starts in Florida have been solid and although he does not have a good record at Doral it is likely to get much better this week.
There is little doubt that Geoff Ogilvy’s game is back after a shaky start to the season. He finished third behind Woods in this event last year and his recent efforts at Bay Hill and in Tampa suggest that he could match if not better that effort this week. Ogilvy’s record on Bermuda greens and in Florida like conditions is very good, both in the US and elsewhere.
Sergio Garcia must be due for a good week with a series of solid if unspectacular finishes of late. He finished third in this event last year and the continual teasing he provides his fans for a win could possibly be fulfilled this week.
Henrik Stenson has not played a lot in 2008 but when he has he has done well. He has been inside the top six in four of his five starts in 2008. He played this event last year and finished 19th.
The Australians are perhaps headed by Ogilvy in terms of chances of victory but Adam Scott should get a mention. He has had a widespread if limited campaign in 2008 as he looks to play enough events to retain his European card while keeping himself fresh for the battles ahead. Apart from one good week in 2003 when 5th at the Genuity at Doral, he has had little success at this venue which is a concern for those who fancy his chances.
Stuart Appleby was going well in 2008 until a missed cut at the Arnold Palmer event last week but he said earlier in the week that he feels he has sorted out a driving issue. While in his own mind he feels the Doral layout should suit him, his record at the venue is not particularly good.
Robert Allenby was third last year in the middle of a great start to 2007. While his form in 2008 is not quite at that level, he might be a dark horse to do well, especially amongst the Australians.
Aaron Baddeley was 6th here in 2007 but in recent weeks he has not been at his best, Nick O’Hern was also 6th last year but has not played all that well in 2008, New Zealander Mark Brown is rewarded for his recent efforts with his first start at this level while Richard Green, Brendan Jones and Paul Sheehan make up the balance of the down under brigade.
