Honda Classic Preview

The PGA Tour departs the west coast and heads east for the Florida Swing this week.  This week, the Tour’s best descend on PGA National Golf Club, the headquarters for the PGA of America, for the Honda Classic.

In the last several years, the Honda Classic has become one of the preeminent “non-major” events on the Tour calendar.  Not only is PGA National a grueling golf course, but many players have moved to communities in and around the Palm Beach area making this a home event.  While groupings have not yet been set, this year field’s includes defending FedEx Cup & PGA Champion Justin Thomas, Masters Champion Sergio Garcia, Rickie Fowler, Rory McIlroy, Dustin Johnson and Tiger Woods.

B&B does not highlight every single golf tournament - at least not yet.  The Tour schedule is now more than 9 months long.  But the Honda Classic has distinguished itself in the last 11 years since moving to PGA National as the host site.  The course provides a great challenge to the world’s best players - which makes it an attractive venue for many who are ranked near the top of the World Golf Rankings.

Things to Know 

• Expect to hear a lot about the famed “Bear Trap” which comprises the 15th, 16th, and 17th holes at PGA National.  It is one of the most difficult 3-hole stretches in professional golf.  The Par 3-4-3 stretch requires precise ball striking - especially when the winds are roaring.  
• The Honda Classic is traditionally the hand-off point from CBS to NBC for the weekend television coverage.  But due to NBC’s commitment with the Winter Olympics, CBS will broadcast the event this week.  CBS has sought to improve their coverage this year with shot-tracking technology on every tee box and throughout the fairways.  But CBS has still drawn criticism for failing to show players who are in contention.  
• The defending champion is Rickie Fowler who has been playing well enough this year to repeat.