Pros Blown Away at Honda Classic

As my great friend Patty would say, "It's very blowy out today". Such were the conditions that greeted the professionals at the Honda Classic at PGA National. The field average was an astounding 3.7 strokes over the designated par 70. Spencer Levin grabbed the 1st round lead with a -3, 67. Five golfers were at -2, two at -1, those eight being the only ones under par. Notables that fell victim to the 30 mph winds were led by defending champ Camilo Villegas' +9, 79. Mike Weir, 77, Adam Scott, 77, Rickie Fowler, 76, Ernie Els, 75, and Ian Poulter, 74, all felt the fulls effects of Mother Nature. Els particularly experienced the gale as a ball on the green rolled away with the wind, making his putt about 12 feet longer. Fortunately he hadn't addressed it or he's have added an additional stroke due to the idiotic and archaic rule governing moving balls. Nick Price, who happens to be my age, shot a beautiful 70 to hang a score for the older set. Thanks for the ray of hope Nick. Full First Round Scores  

The 15th hole, the entrance to the three hole gauntlet called The Bear Trap, was the focus of attention by The Golf Channel.  179 yards with a three club headwind saw everything thrown at it from 5 irons to hybrids with varying degrees of loft. Lots of splashes with none louder than Heath Slocum's dead shank into the drink. It wasn't that they couldn't get there, but rather the wind in their faces and the threat of water in their heads increased the pressure. See, pros have pressure too. 

It's supposed to be similar weather tomorrow for round two. The cut line may very well be at +4 or +5ish. More fun.       






Swing hard, look up,

Falling Stars at The Honda Classic

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,