The Honda Classic, the big tournament that begins today in Palm Beach, is the first round of the Florida Swing, the series of competitions that takes place from the end of February to the end of March in the hot southern state of the United States. It is an important moment in the PGA Tour calendar and in golf internationally, as the circuit moves to the east coast of the United States and begins to approach the Masters in April, the first major of the season.
In short, great golf finally comes to life. Almost all the big names in this period run to Florida to fix the shot and test their degree of form. Rory McIlroy, Rickie Fowler, Adam Scott, Phil Mickelson, Zach Johnson, Patrick Reed, Graeme McDowell and Sergio Garcia do it once again, that is a good part of the world cream of this sport.
However, three heavyweights such as Jordan Spieth, number one in the world, Jason Day, number two and Bubba Watson number four, are missing. These are absences that weaken the beauty of the tournament a little, especially since Tiger Woods is offside. However, the agenda of these champions has evidently already been too full.
Spieth in particular needs to regain some concentration, after last week's bad result at the Northern Trust Open where he didn't even pass the cut. Bubba, on the other hand, rests for opposite reasons: he won on Sunday and doesn't need any further confirmation. Furthermore, next week in Miami there is the Cadillac, a world championship full of points and money, so a small break for someone can be healthy.
Fortunately, our Francesco Molinari is also on the track today and this year he hasn't yet hit the right gear, but now could be the time to do so and to earn points for next week's WGC.
On the track of the Pga National (Champion) Padraig Harrington, 44 years old, defends the title, protagonist of an exciting and sensational victory. However, the spotlights on this occasion will not be so much on him as on Fowler and McIlroy. They are young heroes, but both a little bruised. The first suffered a setback that even made him cry a few weeks ago in Arizona, where he threw away the tournament he already had in his pocket; the second is not yet in top form and the American commentators are waiting for him to see if he can challenge Spieth for the title of heir to Tiger.
Speaking of Woods, a faint light can be glimpsed at the end of the tunnel, hoping that it is not only for the use and consumption of the sponsors. The phenomenon tweeted the image of him while he hits a few shots at his home with a nine iron, probably to deny the rumors that, after three back operations, tell him still sore and uncomfortable in the slightest movements, let alone in a swing.
If there's one goal Tiger has in mind, it's definitely the Masters, anything can happen between now and then and that would be great news because the champion is leaving behind a gap that's difficult to fill for now. In Palm Beach the jackpot is $6,1 million; nearly 1,1 million for the former. The tournament is broadcast live on Sky Sports.
The European Tour this week is in Australia, where the Isps Handa Perth International is being played. There are even five Italians on the pitch: Matteo Manassero, Edoardo Molinari, Renato Paratore, Nino Bertasio and Francesco Laporta. Among the prominent names we find the South African Louis Oosthuizen, the Danish Thorbjorn Olesen, the French Victor Dubuisson, in a field where the home players prevail. The jackpot is 1,150 million euros; almost 187 thousand euros for the winner.
