• COURSE: Palmer Private at PGA West, 6,950 yards, par
72. A mainstay going back nearly three decades to the old Bob Hope
Classic, Palmer Private has been the tournament's host course since 2001
except for a three-year lull from 2006-08. The Arnold Palmer creation
opened in 1986 as the second of now six courses on the sprawling PGA
West development, best distinguished by a strong closing stretch carved
around the base of the Santa Rosa Mountains. The Humana's pro-am format
also will utilize PGA West's Nicklaus Private course (6,951/72) and La
Quinta Country Club (7,060/72) in the first three rounds.
• FEDEXCUP: Winner receives 500 points.
• FIELD WATCH: Defending champion Patrick Reed, who
began 2015 by winning the Hyundai Tournament of Champions, is joined by
two-time champ Phil Mickelson and reigning FedExCup king Billy Horschel
for the year's first stop on the U.S. mainland. … Matt Kuchar, at No.
11, is the highest ranked among seven players in the top 25 of the world
rankings. … Former world No. 1 Luke Donald comes to Humana for the
first time, part of a stronger European presence along with Paul Casey,
Francesco Molinari and Gonzalo Fernandez-Castaño. … Sam Saunders,
Palmer's grandson, makes his fourth start in the event.
• 72-HOLE RECORD: 260, Patrick Reed (2014). Note: Steve
Stricker shot 255 during the first 72 holes in 2009, when the Hope was a
five-round tournament.
• 18-HOLE RECORD: 59, David Duval at Palmer Private (5th
round, 1999). Nicklaus Private record: 61, Robert Garrigus (3rd round,
2012), Ryan Moore (2nd round, 2012), Charlie Wi (3rd round, 2009). La
Quinta CC record: 61, Lennie Clements (3rd round, 1994).
• LAST YEAR: Reed went wire-to-wire for his second
career victory, throwing down a 63 on each course during the first three
days before holding off Ryan Palmer's closing challenge. Reed's
27-under par aggregate through 54 holes was a PGA TOUR record, giving
him a seven-shot lead entering the final day - only to see his putting
stroke go cold. Other than an 18-foot birdie at No. 15 that essentially
sealed the outcome, he made nothing longer than five feet on the way to a
closing 71. Palmer shot up the ranks with a closing 63, including a
15-foot eagle at No. 18, and defending champ Zach Johnson's 62 was good
for third with Justin Leonard.
• STORYLINES: Reed is joined by three others seeking to
become the season's first two-time winner. Ryan Moore (CIMB Classic),
Nick Taylor (Sanderson Farms Championship) and Charley Hoffman (OHL
Classic) won during last fall's opening stretch. … Mickelson is set for
his first start since last year's Ryder Cup, looking to recapture some
West Coast magic after his first winless campaign since 2003. … Jarrod
Lyle, in comeback mode after beating back leukemia a second time, makes
his first start of 2015. He made the cut in two fall events and ended
2014 by placing 25th at the Australian PGA.
• SHORT CHIPS: No stopping yet for Heath Slocum and
Nicholas Thompson, who both have yet to miss a start this season for
which they are eligible. Humana will be their eighth appearance of
2014-15. … The Health Matters Summit, co-sponsored by Humana and the
Clinton Foundation, is back for a fourth year although this edition
begins on the tournament's final day. Former president Bill Clinton and
daughter Chelsea Clinton headline a docket that focuses on healthy
lifestyles and economics.
• TELEVISION: Thursday-Sunday, 3-7 p.m. ET (Golf Channel).
Good Luck!
Updated Standings will be posted when the week 2 leaderboard is up.
Last Week's Winner noles2952. Congrats!
Updated Standings
1. Liz - 1360
2. Bobcat - 1078
3. dfs - 1059
4. 2952 - 1009
5. Sea - 945
6. DL - 933
7. Ed - 917
8. Ocala - 898
9. 67810 - 751
10. NMT - 457
11. NiA - 404
12. Bald - 355
This post was edited on 1/19 12:16 PM by DFSNOLE
Field
