brits at honda classic
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The Florida Swing will start at The Honda Classic, where an international pack of top-ranked players take aim at PGA National’s Champion Course.
With seven of the current top 13 players in the Official World Golf Rankings competing, it may be the most talented field this tournament has ever seen.
England’s Lee Westwood will be the highest ranked golfer, No. 2, when play starts Thursday. He will be joined by two Northern Ireland stars — reigning U.S. Open champion Graeme McDowell (No. 4) and Rory McIlroy (No. 7).
England’s Luke Donald (No. 9) is the hottest player coming in, as he will play Sunday in the finals of the World Golf Championship Match Play event.
The Honda Classic, with its fireworks and after-play concerts, offers a little something for everyone — even Florida Gators football fans, as Tim Tebow will tee it up in Wednesday’s Pro-Am event.
Purse: $5.7 million ($1,008,000 to 2010 winner)
2010 winner: Camilo Villegas, minus-13 (lowest at PGA National)
Course: PGA National Champion Course, par 70, 7,158 yards. Originally designed by Tom and George Fazio and opened in 1981; redesigned by Jack Nicklaus in 1990
Bear Trap: A three-hole stretch where many a tournament has been won, or lost — No. 15 par 3, 179 yards; No. 16, par 4, 434 yards; No. 17, par 3, 190 yards. Neat spot to follow the action and it is close to clubhouse.
Toughest holes: Maybe it won’t be for these PGA Tour pros, but try playing No. 6 (par 4, 488 yards) and No. 10 (par 4, 525 yards) at even par
Past winners: There is a dozen former champs in the field — Camilo Villegas (2010), Y.E. Yang (2009), Ernie Els (2008), Luke Donald (2006), Justin Leonard (2003), Matt Kuchar (2002), Jesper Parnevik (2001), Vijay Singh (1999), Mark Calcavecchia (1998, 1987), Stuart Appleby (1997), Tim Herron (1996), Nick Price (1994).
