The European Tour returns to continental soil for the first time in 2011 on Thursday. And, as befitting the launch of the Tour in its own back yard, the island of Sicily will host its first event at the Donnafugata Golf Resort & SPA.
One of three new events on the Tour schedule, the Sicilian Open will make interesting viewing as the wind (or lack of it) is guaranteed to play a big part with regard to scoring on the 7,158, par 71 track.
Bookmakers' odds show England's Chris Wood to be favourite before tee off with odds ranging from 16-1 to 20-1.
Meanwhile, in the USA, the PGA Tour's Florida Swing continues with the Transitions Championship at Innisbrook, Tampa Bay.
Martin Kaymer (1) and Paul Casey (7) are the only two players from the current world top-10 attending, but there will still be plenty of class on show. In fact, Kaymer is playing in the pick of the opening groups alongside Bubba Watson and Nick Watney.
Sergio Garcia is making his first appearance of 2011 on the PGA Tour after his brief soujourn from the limelight. Not surprisingly, the Spaniard is currently 50-1 with bookmakers to win as all eyes are focused on Kaymer and Watney.
Wednesday, 16 March 2011
Tuesday, 15 March 2011
Tim and George chew the fat
The first in a probable series of joint press conferences was given by PGA and European Tour head honchos Tim Finchem and George O'Grady during the final round of the WGC Cadillac Championship at Doral on Sunday.
The floor was open to questions about the future integration of the Tours, the rise of other Tours around the world, a clash of dates between the Presidents Cup and the South African Open, and discipline on the golf course.
The underlying themes to emerge from the dialogue appears to be how to accommodate the ever-increasing complexity of scheduling and the pulling power of the world's elite players - with no real solutions offered.
Read the full transcript here.
The floor was open to questions about the future integration of the Tours, the rise of other Tours around the world, a clash of dates between the Presidents Cup and the South African Open, and discipline on the golf course.
The underlying themes to emerge from the dialogue appears to be how to accommodate the ever-increasing complexity of scheduling and the pulling power of the world's elite players - with no real solutions offered.
Read the full transcript here.
Monday, 14 March 2011
Super 60 sets Price on his way
After firing a Champions Tour record-equalling round of 60 on Day 1 of the Toshiba Classic in California, Nick Price held on for a wire-to-wire victory.
Price backed up his superb first round with two further rounds of 68 for a -17 total, one shot clear of America's Mark Wiebe, who carded rounds of 65, 65 and 67.
Wiebe, in fact, had an opportunity to tie for a play-off but missed his birdie chance at the 54th hole, and thus guaranteed Price his fourth career Champions Tour title.
Defending champion Fred Couples finished in a tie for fifth place with Brad Bryant and Robert Thompson, four strokes off the lead.
THE TOP FIVE
Price backed up his superb first round with two further rounds of 68 for a -17 total, one shot clear of America's Mark Wiebe, who carded rounds of 65, 65 and 67.
Wiebe, in fact, had an opportunity to tie for a play-off but missed his birdie chance at the 54th hole, and thus guaranteed Price his fourth career Champions Tour title.
Defending champion Fred Couples finished in a tie for fifth place with Brad Bryant and Robert Thompson, four strokes off the lead.
THE TOP FIVE
| 1 - Nick Price (Zim) | -17 (60 68 68 - 196) | $255,000 | ||
| 2 - Mark Wiebe (USA) | -16 (65 65 67 - 197) | $149,600 | ||
| T3 - Michael Allen (USA) | -14 (69 64 66 - 199) | $112,200 | ||
| T3 - Joe Ozaki (Jpn) | -14 (68 64 67 - 199) | $112,200 | ||
| T5 - Brad Bryant (USA) | -13 (65 70 65 - 200) | $70,266.67 | ||
| T5 - Fred Couples (USA) | -13 (66 67 67 - 200) | $70,266.67 | ||
| T5 - Robert Thompson (USA) | -13 (68 66 66 - 200) | $70,266.67 |
Bradley's play-off pleasure
Michael Bradley claimed his second Puerto Rico Open title in three years after a dramatic conclusion to proceedings at the Trump International Golf Club.
Starting the final day four shots behind overnight leader Troy Matteson, 44-year-old Bradley hit a hot streak on the way out, carding -5 for the front nine.
A dropped shot at the 14th was recovered after a monster birdie putt at the 15th and, with Matteson only managing a level-par round of 72 to finish on -16, Bradley had a short par putt at the 18th to be crowned champion in regulation play.
Whether it was adrenalin or a lack of concentration that kicked in, who knows, but Bradley's forceful putt appeared to stike the back of the cup and bounce out, leaving a tap in for bogey and an eventual tie.
The first play-off hole took Bradley and Matteson again up the par-5, 18th. Both had birdie chances and Matteson's longer putt was struck a couple of feet past the hole.
Bradley missed his opportunity but this time he made par, leaving Matteson to finish off and continue the sudden death. Agonisingly, his putt lipped out, prompting gasps from the gallery and an almost embarrassed Bradley took the spoils.
Tied for third on -14 was Stephen Ames, whose closing 66 was the best round of the final day, and Hunter Haas, who could only manage a 71. George McNeill finished in fifth place on -13.
THE TOP FIVE
Starting the final day four shots behind overnight leader Troy Matteson, 44-year-old Bradley hit a hot streak on the way out, carding -5 for the front nine.
A dropped shot at the 14th was recovered after a monster birdie putt at the 15th and, with Matteson only managing a level-par round of 72 to finish on -16, Bradley had a short par putt at the 18th to be crowned champion in regulation play.
Whether it was adrenalin or a lack of concentration that kicked in, who knows, but Bradley's forceful putt appeared to stike the back of the cup and bounce out, leaving a tap in for bogey and an eventual tie.
The first play-off hole took Bradley and Matteson again up the par-5, 18th. Both had birdie chances and Matteson's longer putt was struck a couple of feet past the hole.
Bradley missed his opportunity but this time he made par, leaving Matteson to finish off and continue the sudden death. Agonisingly, his putt lipped out, prompting gasps from the gallery and an almost embarrassed Bradley took the spoils.
Tied for third on -14 was Stephen Ames, whose closing 66 was the best round of the final day, and Hunter Haas, who could only manage a 71. George McNeill finished in fifth place on -13.
THE TOP FIVE
| 1 - Michael Bradley (USA) | -16 (68 68 68 68 - 272) | $630,000 | ||
| 2 - Troy Matteson (USA) | -16 (67 67 66 72 - 272) | $378,000 | ||
| T3 - Stephen Ames (Can) | -14 (69 66 73 66 - 274) | $203,000 | ||
| T3 - Hunter Haas (USA) | -14 (67 68 68 71 - 274) | $203,000 | ||
| 5 - George McNeill (USA) | -13 (69 66 71 69 - 275) | $140,000 |
Watney stays composed to claim WGC Cadillac Championship
After missing out on top-ranking titles over the past couple of years, Nick Watney finally proved he can mix it with the big boys by holding his nerve to win the WGC Cadillac Championship at Doral.
Watney was unfortunate not to force a play-off with Phil Mickelson at the same event two years ago and crumbled on the final day of last year's USPGA Championship when leading after Day 3.
But the 29-year-old's victory at the TPC Blue Monster on Sunday might turn out to be a pivotal day in his career after he carded a closing 67 to win the title by two strokes from compatriot Dustin Johnson.
What was so impressive about his performance was the way he remained unfazed on the few occasions he found trouble. Recovery shots from off the fairways and a crucial couple of clutch par putts on the back nine were greeted with ever more powerful fist pumps as Watney clearly understood the significance of his achievements.
And despite double-bogeying the par-4 18th on Day 3, the man from Sacramento played the last hole to perfection on Day 4 - hitting the green in regulation before rolling in a 13-foot birdie putt for a two-stroke cushion.
It was brave, but intelligent, golf from Watney as Johnson was following and had to eagle the last hole to force a tie. He made a valid attempt, but his second shot finished a few feet to the left of the pin.
Watney's victory moves him up to 15th in the Official World Golf Rankings from 31st, while Johnson moves up to 11th.
THE TOP FIVE
Watney was unfortunate not to force a play-off with Phil Mickelson at the same event two years ago and crumbled on the final day of last year's USPGA Championship when leading after Day 3.
But the 29-year-old's victory at the TPC Blue Monster on Sunday might turn out to be a pivotal day in his career after he carded a closing 67 to win the title by two strokes from compatriot Dustin Johnson.
What was so impressive about his performance was the way he remained unfazed on the few occasions he found trouble. Recovery shots from off the fairways and a crucial couple of clutch par putts on the back nine were greeted with ever more powerful fist pumps as Watney clearly understood the significance of his achievements.
And despite double-bogeying the par-4 18th on Day 3, the man from Sacramento played the last hole to perfection on Day 4 - hitting the green in regulation before rolling in a 13-foot birdie putt for a two-stroke cushion.
It was brave, but intelligent, golf from Watney as Johnson was following and had to eagle the last hole to force a tie. He made a valid attempt, but his second shot finished a few feet to the left of the pin.
Watney's victory moves him up to 15th in the Official World Golf Rankings from 31st, while Johnson moves up to 11th.
THE TOP FIVE
| 1 - Nick Watney (USA) | -15 (67 70 68 67 - 272) | $1,400,000 | ||
| 2 - Dustin Johnson (USA) | -14 (69 69 65 71 - 274) | $850,000 | ||
| T3 - Anders Hansen (Den) | -13 (71 69 68 67 - 275) | $465,000 | ||
| T3 - Francesco Molinari (Ita) | -13 (68 68 70 69 - 275) | $465,000 | ||
| 5 - Matt Kuchar (USA) | -12 (68 69 68 71 - 276) | $350,000 |
Sunday, 13 March 2011
Sandy savours long-awaited victory
Two-time Major winner Sandy Lyle once said he would just be happy to win a Par-3 competition, so long had it been since he experienced a tournament triumph.
The Scotsman's absence from the winner's circle has lasted almost two decades, since he claimed his 18th European Tour title at the Volvo Masters in 1992. In fact, to describe Lyle's winless streak as a 'barren spell' doesn't do justice to the torment he has endured for a generation.
Yet, all Lyle's frustration and disappointment on the golf course was brushed aside today when he won the ISPS Handa Senior World Championship at Mission Hills, China.
A final round of 70, following rounds of 68 and 66 for a score of -12, was enough to give the 53-year-old victory by three strokes over Australian Peter Fowler, who carded a 71 on Day 3.
Lyle has started the season with some consistent performances, already finishing twice in the top-5 prior to this weekend, and he now leads the European Senior Tour Order of Merit.
Clearly relieved after this long-awaited victory, he said: “You wonder after about four or five years whether you’ll ever win again let alone nearly 20, so this is very special.
“I joined the Senior Tour and it didn’t happen as quickly as I expected it to, so you do have doubts. My trophy cabinet has been gathering dust over the years so I feel relieved to get a win and it’s even better that it’s here in China on this course. This answers a lot of questions I had about myself.
“I showed a lot of patience this week. I only made one bogey in three rounds, which is way beyond my norm. Usually I’d make at least four or five but I was very consistent."
HOW THEY FINISHED
The Scotsman's absence from the winner's circle has lasted almost two decades, since he claimed his 18th European Tour title at the Volvo Masters in 1992. In fact, to describe Lyle's winless streak as a 'barren spell' doesn't do justice to the torment he has endured for a generation.
Yet, all Lyle's frustration and disappointment on the golf course was brushed aside today when he won the ISPS Handa Senior World Championship at Mission Hills, China.
A final round of 70, following rounds of 68 and 66 for a score of -12, was enough to give the 53-year-old victory by three strokes over Australian Peter Fowler, who carded a 71 on Day 3.
Lyle has started the season with some consistent performances, already finishing twice in the top-5 prior to this weekend, and he now leads the European Senior Tour Order of Merit.
Clearly relieved after this long-awaited victory, he said: “You wonder after about four or five years whether you’ll ever win again let alone nearly 20, so this is very special.
“I joined the Senior Tour and it didn’t happen as quickly as I expected it to, so you do have doubts. My trophy cabinet has been gathering dust over the years so I feel relieved to get a win and it’s even better that it’s here in China on this course. This answers a lot of questions I had about myself.
“I showed a lot of patience this week. I only made one bogey in three rounds, which is way beyond my norm. Usually I’d make at least four or five but I was very consistent."
HOW THEY FINISHED
| 1 - Sandy Lyle (Sco) | -12 (68 66 70 - 204) | €37,484 | ||
| 2 - Peter Fowler (Aus) | -9 (67 69 71 - 207) | €24,989 | ||
| 3 - Angel Franco (Par) | -7 (69 69 71 - 209) | €17,493 | ||
| T4 - Mark Belsham (Eng) | -5 (71 74 66 - 211) | €11,008 | ||
| T4 - Bobby Lincoln (SA) | -5 (74 68 69 - 211) | €11,008 | ||
| T4 - Juan Quiros (Spa) | -5 (70 71 70 - 211) | €11,008 | ||
| T4 - Noel Ratcliffe (Aus) | -5 (68 74 69 - 211) | €11,008 |
Friday, 11 March 2011
Japan earthquake prompts tweets from Doral
The PGA Tour Report has posted early reaction from players and press at The WGC Cadillac Championship regarding the Japanese earthquake and tsunami.
Terrible scenes that once again puts sport in perspective!
Terrible scenes that once again puts sport in perspective!
Wednesday, 9 March 2011
Five WGC Cadillac Championship facts
As tee off at the WGC Cadillac Championship approaches in Florida, here are five facts about the tournament and the Doral course.
- There is an $8.5m prize purse on offer, with $1.4m and 550 FedExCup points to the winner.
- Only one European has ever won at the TCP Blue Monster course - Nick Faldo in 1995 at the Doral Open.
- Peter Senior will be the oldest player to take part in the WGC Cadillac Championship. The Australian will be 51 years 7 months and 13 days when the tournament begins.
- Geoff Ogilvy was the last wire-to-wire winner of the Championship in 2008.
- The course record is 61, carded by Stephen Ames in 2000 during the second round of the Doral-Ryder Open. Tiger Woods holds the championship scoring record, twice finishing on -23 at Mount Juliet Conrad in 2002 and at The Grove in 2006.
Tuesday, 8 March 2011
Tour Preview
It’s another busy week of championship golf even with the ladies’ Tours taking a break. Here’s the latest preview for this week’s worldwide tournaments.
Only two weeks after the WGC Accenture World Match Play Championship, it’s time for the Wedgwood to be brought out of the trophy cabinet once more as the second World Golf Championship event of the year, the WGC Cadillac Championship, takes place in Florida.
Befitting such a big event, there is an $8.5m purse on offer - with $1.4m and 550 FedExCup points up for grabs to the winner.
The setting is the fascinating TCP Blue Monster course at Doral. At 7,266 yards (par 72) and with 110 bunkers and 11 water hazards, this course produces golf as dramatic as its setting, with many birdie opportunities on offer.
Ernie Els will be teeing up to defend his title in a 69-strong field including the top-50 players (according to the Official World Golf Rankings) representing 18 countries.
But the ‘Big Easy’ is not among the favourites to win this year. An average of bookmakers’ odds make world number one Martin Kaymer the favourite, with six-time winner Tiger Woods and US Open champion Graeme McDowell just behind.
Elsewhere, those not ranked high enough to compete at Doral head south as the PGA Tour stages the Puerto Rico Open at the Trump International Golf Club – Rio Grande.
The Tom Kite-designed course is a par 72 at 7,569 yards. The golf club has 36 holes, including four distinct nines representing mountains, oceans, lakes and palms. The lakes and oceans holes have been combined to create the Championship course, while the mountains and palms make up the International course.
With $650,000 and 250 FedExCup points awarded to the winner, this is a great opportunity for those on the fringes to find some momentum. And the field includes six Major champions, including Stewart Cink, Mike Weir and John Daly.
Back in the USA, the Champions Tour pitches up at California’s Newport Beach Country Club for the Toshiba Classic, where Fred Couple defends his title against a strong field.
And staying with the seniors, the European Senior Tour heads for the first time to Mission Hills, China, to stage the ISPS Handa Senior World Championship. According to the Tour, the field includes “three Major champions, two winning Ryder Cup Captains and more than 20 nationalities, sharing between them 125 European Tour titles”.
Meanwhile, the European Challenge Tour resumes on the other side of the world as players tee up in Colombia for the Abierto International Copa Antioquia at Club Campestre. Colombian David Vanegas defends his title.
Phew! There's plenty to look forward to.
Only two weeks after the WGC Accenture World Match Play Championship, it’s time for the Wedgwood to be brought out of the trophy cabinet once more as the second World Golf Championship event of the year, the WGC Cadillac Championship, takes place in Florida.
Befitting such a big event, there is an $8.5m purse on offer - with $1.4m and 550 FedExCup points up for grabs to the winner.
The setting is the fascinating TCP Blue Monster course at Doral. At 7,266 yards (par 72) and with 110 bunkers and 11 water hazards, this course produces golf as dramatic as its setting, with many birdie opportunities on offer.
Ernie Els will be teeing up to defend his title in a 69-strong field including the top-50 players (according to the Official World Golf Rankings) representing 18 countries.
But the ‘Big Easy’ is not among the favourites to win this year. An average of bookmakers’ odds make world number one Martin Kaymer the favourite, with six-time winner Tiger Woods and US Open champion Graeme McDowell just behind.
Elsewhere, those not ranked high enough to compete at Doral head south as the PGA Tour stages the Puerto Rico Open at the Trump International Golf Club – Rio Grande.
The Tom Kite-designed course is a par 72 at 7,569 yards. The golf club has 36 holes, including four distinct nines representing mountains, oceans, lakes and palms. The lakes and oceans holes have been combined to create the Championship course, while the mountains and palms make up the International course.
With $650,000 and 250 FedExCup points awarded to the winner, this is a great opportunity for those on the fringes to find some momentum. And the field includes six Major champions, including Stewart Cink, Mike Weir and John Daly.
Back in the USA, the Champions Tour pitches up at California’s Newport Beach Country Club for the Toshiba Classic, where Fred Couple defends his title against a strong field.
And staying with the seniors, the European Senior Tour heads for the first time to Mission Hills, China, to stage the ISPS Handa Senior World Championship. According to the Tour, the field includes “three Major champions, two winning Ryder Cup Captains and more than 20 nationalities, sharing between them 125 European Tour titles”.
Meanwhile, the European Challenge Tour resumes on the other side of the world as players tee up in Colombia for the Abierto International Copa Antioquia at Club Campestre. Colombian David Vanegas defends his title.
Phew! There's plenty to look forward to.
Monday, 7 March 2011
Rory rides the storm to win Honda Classic
Despite a weather delay for lightning during the business end of Day 4 and charges from Y. E. Yang and Jerry Kelly, South Africa's Rory Sabbatini held on to win the Honda Classic.
This was Sabbatini's first PGA Tour title since the 2009 Byron Nelson Championship and his sixth in total. It also comes only a matter of weeks after he underwent surgery for skin cancer. However, victory sees him qualify for this week's WGC - Caddilac Championship and The Masters.
The Tour's Florida Swing got off to a breezy start at Palm Beach's National Champion Course and Sabbatini had appeared to cope best with the conditions.
Yet the 34-year-old had to grind it out on Day 4 and relied on his five-stroke overnight cushion to see the tournament out. After dropping shots at the 9th and 14th, only a birdie at the par-4 16th, along with pars at the 17th and 18th, allowed some breathing space ahead of the chasing pack.
Korea's Yang made up most ground despite carding a bogey at the second hole. Five subsequent birdies, including a near hole-in-one at the par-3 15th, saw him put pressure on his South African playing partner.
Making up the last group was Kelly, who birdied the final two holes in a closing 67 to claim third place. Elsewhere, a 68 and 67 from Ricky Barnes and Tommy Gainey saw them make up the top five.
Other big movers on Day 4 included Graeme McDowell and Luke Donald. After Sabbatini's course record-equalling 64 on Day 2, McDowell carded the same score with a bogey-free round to leap 24 places up the leaderboard and finish in a tie for sixth.
Likewise, Donald jumped 13 places with a closing 66 for a share of tenth place.
THE TOP FIVE
This was Sabbatini's first PGA Tour title since the 2009 Byron Nelson Championship and his sixth in total. It also comes only a matter of weeks after he underwent surgery for skin cancer. However, victory sees him qualify for this week's WGC - Caddilac Championship and The Masters.
The Tour's Florida Swing got off to a breezy start at Palm Beach's National Champion Course and Sabbatini had appeared to cope best with the conditions.
Yet the 34-year-old had to grind it out on Day 4 and relied on his five-stroke overnight cushion to see the tournament out. After dropping shots at the 9th and 14th, only a birdie at the par-4 16th, along with pars at the 17th and 18th, allowed some breathing space ahead of the chasing pack.
Korea's Yang made up most ground despite carding a bogey at the second hole. Five subsequent birdies, including a near hole-in-one at the par-3 15th, saw him put pressure on his South African playing partner.
Making up the last group was Kelly, who birdied the final two holes in a closing 67 to claim third place. Elsewhere, a 68 and 67 from Ricky Barnes and Tommy Gainey saw them make up the top five.
Other big movers on Day 4 included Graeme McDowell and Luke Donald. After Sabbatini's course record-equalling 64 on Day 2, McDowell carded the same score with a bogey-free round to leap 24 places up the leaderboard and finish in a tie for sixth.
Likewise, Donald jumped 13 places with a closing 66 for a share of tenth place.
THE TOP FIVE
| 1 - Rory Sabbatini (SA) | -9 (71 64 66 70 - 271) | $1,026,000 | ||
| 2 - Y. E. Yang (Kor) | -8 (68 71 67 66 - 272) | $615,600 | ||
| 3 - Jerry Kelly (USA) | -7 (71 67 68 67 - 273) | $387,600 | ||
| 4 - Ricky Barnes (USA) | -4 (70 68 71 67 - 276) | $273,600 | ||
| 5 - Tommy Gainey (USA) | -3 (71 67 71 68 - 277) | $228,000 |
Saturday, 5 March 2011
Rory rolls on
Rory Sabbatini continued to make mincemeat of the PGA National Champion Course after Day 3 of the Honda Classic in Palm Beach, Florida.
A round of 66, including five birdies and one bogey at the par-4, 12th, ensures the South African goes into the final day with a commanding five-stroke lead over the field.
Korea's Y. E. Yang and Jerry Kelly of the USA are tied for second place on -4 having carded rounds of 67 and 68 respectively.
26-year-old Gary Woodland, who tied for second at the Bob Hope Classic in January, is in fourth place on -3, while overnight leader Kyle Stanley dropped to fifth after struggling with a +4, 74.
Elsewhere, some other big names also experienced a leaderboard slump. Charl Schwartzel carded a 74 in a round including eight bogeys and four birdies, and Lee Westwood was well and truly snared at The Bear Trap, bogeying holes 15 to 18 during a costly round of 75.
A round of 66, including five birdies and one bogey at the par-4, 12th, ensures the South African goes into the final day with a commanding five-stroke lead over the field.
Korea's Y. E. Yang and Jerry Kelly of the USA are tied for second place on -4 having carded rounds of 67 and 68 respectively.
26-year-old Gary Woodland, who tied for second at the Bob Hope Classic in January, is in fourth place on -3, while overnight leader Kyle Stanley dropped to fifth after struggling with a +4, 74.
Elsewhere, some other big names also experienced a leaderboard slump. Charl Schwartzel carded a 74 in a round including eight bogeys and four birdies, and Lee Westwood was well and truly snared at The Bear Trap, bogeying holes 15 to 18 during a costly round of 75.
Stanley leads the way in Florida
A blustery Palm Beach Gardens has seen the PGA Tour's 'Florida Swing' get under way with a strong field competing not only against each other, but also Mother Nature and a tough track at the Honda Classic.
Tour rookie Kyle Stanley leads the way after Day 2 at the PGA National Champion Course with a score of -6. This follows a composed round of 66 to add to a 68 on Day 1.
The round of the tournament so far was produced by Rory Sabbatini, who carded a course record-equalling 64 on Day 2 - including a run of five birdies between holes 9 and 15. This superb performance in the wind leaves the South African one stroke behind Stanley in second place, followed by fellow South African Charl Schwartzel in third place on -3.
World number two Lee Westwood is currently tied for eighth place after a 69 on Day 2 left him on -1. He is joined on the same overnight score by four others, including Y. E. Yang and Matt Kuchar.
Tour rookie Kyle Stanley leads the way after Day 2 at the PGA National Champion Course with a score of -6. This follows a composed round of 66 to add to a 68 on Day 1.
The round of the tournament so far was produced by Rory Sabbatini, who carded a course record-equalling 64 on Day 2 - including a run of five birdies between holes 9 and 15. This superb performance in the wind leaves the South African one stroke behind Stanley in second place, followed by fellow South African Charl Schwartzel in third place on -3.
World number two Lee Westwood is currently tied for eighth place after a 69 on Day 2 left him on -1. He is joined on the same overnight score by four others, including Y. E. Yang and Matt Kuchar.
Tuesday, 1 March 2011
Five Honda Classic facts
Here are some facts to get your mouths watering in the build up to this week's main PGA Tour event - The Honda Classic.
- The George and Tom Fazio designed PGA National Champion course (redesigned by Jack Nicklaus in 1990) is the hardest ranking course on the PGA Tour outside of the majors. At 7,158 yards (par 70), the course averaged 71.64 last year.
- Holes 15, 16 and 17 are known as 'The Bear Trap' after Nicklaus's redesign.
- There are 78 bunkers and 26 water hazards scattered throughout the course.
- Luke Donald (the man of the moment) won the Honda Classic in 2006, was runner-up in 2008 and co-holds the course record with Greg Chalmers. The have both shot -6, 64.
- This week's tournament purse is $5.6m, with the winner set to net $1.008m and 500 FedExCup Points.
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