- Adam Scott and Justin Thomas will both be teeing it up at The Honda Classic. (Scott Halleran/Getty Images)
• COURSE: PGA National (Champion), 7,140 yards, par 70. Now beginning its second decade as the Florida Swing’s kickoff venue, the original George & Tom Fazio layout was site of the 1983 Ryder Cup where Lanny Wadkins’ birdie at No. 18 vs. Jose Maria Canizares thwarted European upset hopes. The Champ also staged the 1987 PGA Championship, won by Larry Nelson, before Jack Nicklaus was brought in for a 1990 redesign that gave golfers the treacherous “Bear Trap” of Nos. 15, 16 and 17. The course also staged 19 Senior PGA Championships through 2000, going on competitive hiatus until the Honda arrived in 2007.
• FEDEXCUP: Winner receives 500 points.
• CHARITY: Children’s Healthcare Charity, supporting advances in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of childhood diseases and disorders. The Nicklaus Children’s Heath Care Foundation is primary beneficiary, with more than 40 other nonprofits also receiving grants.
• FIELD WATCH: Justin Thomas, a three-time winner in 2016-17, and defending champ Adam Scott headline a deep lineup that features 12 of the top 25 in the current rankings. Scott, Thomas and No. 9 Sergio Garcia are among the world’s top 10. … Reigning Masters champion Danny Willett makes his first U.S. visit since the Ryder Cup, where he was used sparingly in Europe’s loss. The Honda marks just his sixth U.S. appearance in an event other than a major, World Golf Championships event or THE PLAYERS. .... Hall of Famer Ernie Els, one of several transplants to the Palm Beach area, makes his second U.S. start in 2017. He was 13th four weeks ago in Qatar. … In all, no fewer than 16 entrants keep a home within 45 minutes of PGA National.
• 72-HOLE RECORD: 264, Justin Leonard (2003 at Mirasol). PGA National record: 267, Camilo Villegas (2010).
• 18-HOLE RECORD: 61, Brian Harman (2nd round, 2012).
• LAST YEAR: Scott outdueled Garcia down PGA National’s back nine, claiming a one-stroke victory that ended a two-year win drought. More important, it happened with a short putter after the Aussie was forced to give up the broomstick method in the newest rule changes. It might not even have been close, either, except for Scott’s quadruple-bogey seven in the third round at the par-3 15th. No such misfortune in the final round, though, as Scott opened with a birdie and shook off back-to-back bogeys after the turn to hold steady down the stretch. Scott’s 12th career PGA TOUR victory was the most of anyone on TOUR under age 40, and he became the seventh international player to win the Honda since its move to PGA National in 2007.
• STORYLINES: Thomas tees it up in his adopted home with a far higher profile after sweeping the Hawaiian double of the SBS Tournament of Champions and Sony Open. He claimed a share of third last year at PGA National. … Scott tees it up for the second straight week after playing just once in his previous 10. Hey, it worked last year, with a share of second at Riviera before going back-to-back at Honda and Doral. … Willett is just one of four top European pros starting the U.S. schedules this week. The Masters champion, fellow Englishman Matthew Fitzpatrick and Spain’s Rafa Cabrera Bello haven’t been stateside since the Ryder Cup. England’s Tyrell Hatton is making his first U.S. start since the Wyndham Championship.
And now it begins, Hawaii and California are nice little places, but the rubber meets road once we hit Florida. We are 6 weeks from the Masters , game on Gentlemen and DFS.
Bobcat still holds the lead as we hit Florida
Good Luck to everyone this week
