PGA Tour
Golf
Date :Feb 23–26, 2023
The Florida swing kicks off with the Honda Classic at PGA National, a challenging par 70 course measuring around 7,120 yards. For golf enthusiasts seeking a demanding test, this is the event to watch. Over the years, the winning scores at PGA National have rarely reached double digits under par, with only three winners since 2012 achieving that feat. Water hazards come into play on 15 holes, and the notorious three-hole stretch known as the Bear Trap (holes 15, 16, and 17) is particularly grueling, even receiving dedicated TV coverage.
Due to the design by Jack Nicklaus, the average driving distance is lower at this course, as players often need to strategically hit layup shots to avoid water hazards. However, longer hitters tend to fare well because they can adjust their power off the tee by using woods and irons and still leave themselves with shorter approaches to the greens. The greens in regulation (GIR) percentage is also lower than the average, indicating the significance of Strokes Gained: Approach. We should pay attention to the 175-200 yard range, as a higher number of shots at this distance are seen compared to the tour average. Additionally, we’ll consider shots beyond 200 yards since two challenging par 3s fall into that category.
Par 5 scoring is important because the two par 5s on the course are the easiest holes, and in a low-scoring event like this, capitalizing on these holes becomes crucial for contention. We’ll also examine par 4 scoring on holes ranging from 450-500 yards because some of the most difficult holes at PGA National fall within this range. We need players who can handle these tough holes effectively.
In line with the challenging nature of the course, we will focus on Bogey Avoidance, Scrambling, and Sand Saves. It’s essential to find players who can salvage pars, avoid high-scoring holes, and navigate the sand traps. Last year, no player managed to get through the Bear Trap without at least recording a bogey or worse. Scrambling is higher than the tour average, and sand play comes into play frequently.
This event is not about accumulating the most birdies but rather about preventing double bogeys from appearing on the scorecard.
Key Stats Summary:
- SG: Approach, with emphasis on proximity from 175-200 and 200+ yards
- Par 5 scoring
- Par 4 scoring on holes of 450-500 yards
- Bogey Avoidance
- Scrambling and Sand Saves
- SG: Ball Striking
Now, let’s move on to our picks for the tournament:
Shane Lowry @14/1: Shane Lowry is an Irish professional golfer who competes on both the European Tour and the PGA Tour. He boasts notable victories, including the 2019 Open Championship, the Irish Open (as an amateur) in 2009, and the 2015 WGC-Bridgestone Invitational.
Sepp Straka @45/1: Sepp Straka could become the fifth golfer to win the competition twice and the second to defend his title if he emerges victorious. This young Austrian golfer’s only PGA Tour win came at this event, making a second victory a remarkable achievement. Although it may be unlikely, with most bookmakers offering six places, there is value in considering each-way bets.
Min Woo Lee @22/1: Min Woo Lee is an Australian professional golfer who competes on the European Tour. He turned professional in early 2019 after a successful amateur career. Notable wins in his career include the 2020 ISPS Handa Vic Open and the 2021 Abrdn Scottish Open.
*Edited Due To Line Up Change*
The Honda Classic is a professional golf tournament on the PGA Tour in south Florida. It was founded in 1972 as Jackie Gleason’s Inverrary Classic, and prior to a schedule change in 2021 was frequently the first of the Florida events in late winter following the “West Coast Swing.”
Image Credit: youtube.com
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