Pro golf stars are fading like five dollar beach towels at The Honda Classic at PGA National, Palm Beach Gardens, FL. So, either "all these guys are good" or the big boys are a little off their game. I suppose it's a mildly good sign that Honda kept their sponsorship given the current state of the auto industry.
Household name, Y.E. Yang was the leader after today's 2nd round at 68, 65, 133. Yang's roller coaster career has included the highlight of beating Tiger Woods at the HSBC Champions in 2006 and the low light of being disqualified in defending his title in Shanghai for having an incorrect scorecard. A recognizable name, Robert Allenby was one back at 134. The rest of the top of the leader board was filled with journeymen players including Will MacKenzie, 134, Jeff Overton, 134, Ben Crane, 135, David Mathis, 136, etc., etc. With all due respect to Mrs. and Mrs. Klauk, I haven't heard of their son Jeff, who was settled into a six way tie for 7th. 19 year old Rory McIlroy, along with Stewart Cink were bigger names that were within pistol range, five behind Yang.
To find the big names you had to scroll farther down the list. Sergio, 6 back, Rocco, 7 back, Calcavecchia, 8 back, Darren Clarke, 8 back, Davis Love III, 9 back, Woody, 10 back, defender Ernie Els, 10 back, Leonard, 10 back, Lowery, 10 back. Evidently 10 back is a popular spot to make a move on Saturday from.
Missed cuts, (+3), featured Appleby, Faxon, Romero, JB Holmes, Villegas, Snedeker, and Justin Rose.
The "feel great" story is undoubtedly Erik Compton. His pair of 69s put the double heart transplant recipient, with the last being in 2008, at within five shots of the leader. 2nd place "feel good" story was Tadd Fujikawa, 18 year old Hawaiian, whose 20 foot birdie on his final hole put him one shot within the cut line, 9 shots off the pace. Fujikawa had the dubious distinction of finishing dead last through two rounds of this tournament last year.
Stay tuned to see if a relative no-name breaks from the pack, earns a two year tour exemption, and places his name on your watch list.
Til' next,
Friday, March 6, 2009
Falling Stars at The Honda Classic
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Yep The Honda Classic defintiely not a classic at the moment.
ReplyDeleteNZ PGA going on right now seems a little more interesting - Danny Lee the 18 yr old amateur is in fourth place going into the last round.
Looking forward to seeing him and McIlroy duke it out at some stage this year...fairly talented pair of teens.
Craig,
ReplyDeleteYeah, nice to see some new faces even though with the global game it's tough to see them in the same event. It's the shot in the arm that will perpetuate golf.
Thanks for the look!
They had a tough time with this course last year, too. Didn't Els win with something like six under?
ReplyDeleteMind like a steel trap you have. -6, beat Luke Donald by 1.
ReplyDelete