Honda Classic

The British are coming!

While many U.S. stars are choosing to sit this one out as they get ready for next week's WGC event at Doral, the Euros are out in full force thie week at the Honda Classic.  Lee Westwood is the highest ranked player in the field, and he'll be joined by Paul Casey, Padraig Harrington, Rory McIlroy and Sergio Garcia from across the pond.  McIlroy tied for 13th here a year ago and Casey and Garcia played well at the WGC. 

One thing to know whn scouting players for the Honda is that they have only been playing the tournament at its current location (PGA National) since 2007.  All other tournament history is irrelevant as far as I'm concerned.

YE Yang is going to be a popular pick here this week as he is the defender and seems to be on form after his Sunday run to 3rd last weekend in Phoenix.  I'm skeptical though....he didn't play great outside of a few holes on Sunday.  John Rollins finished second last year in his only appearance at the event since 2007.

Two sleepers this week are Scott Piercy and Alex Cejka.  Piercy finished T5 a year ago (nd T8 in Phoenix last week) and Cejka has a T13 and a T7 in the last two years.  However, this tournament probably comes down to these three favorties.  Ernie Els won two years ago and is playing well right now.  I really like his chances this week and this year from here on out.  Camilo Villegas has had two strong weeks in a row and lost in a playoff here in 2007.  He usually plays well in Florida.  Finally, Robert Allenby has the most consistent record at the National course in the last three years with at T5, T4, and T5 over that span.  With the way he is playing right now and that record to fall back on, it would be really hard to imagine him finishing out of the top 10.  I also really like Tim Clark this week, he's playing well, and the course isn't excpetionally long.  Hey, I always like Tim Clark, it seems he is always in the mix.

Most talent
1.  McIlroy
2.  Westwood
3.  Els
4.  Harrington
5.  Garcia

Course history
1.  Allenby
2.  Villegas
3.  Els
4.  Yang
5.  Wi

On form
1.  Villegas
2.  Allenby
3.  Casey
4.  Fowler
5.  Els

Off form
1.  V. Singh
2.  Harrington
3.  J. Leonard
4.  T. Immelman
5.  B. Weekley

Picks
1.  Allenby
2.  Westwood
3.  Els
4.  McIlroy
5.  Clark

Cheers,
TFAM