David against Goliath: 69 start, but only one will be able to prevail on the Blue Monster, the mythical Trump National Doral golf course in Miami. The WGC Cadillac Championship begins today and will end on Sunday, one of the 4 world championships, involving the top 50 players in the rankings and the best players from the various international federations. For the first time, all of these magnificent 50 are there, including Matteo Manassero and Francesco Molinari, who will try to bring home a prestigious and very rich trophy, which is giving away 9 million dollars, of which 1,530 million for the first. A challenge at the highest level, with many unknowns.
The first mystery is: how is Tiger Woods? His participation was in doubt until yesterday, but in the end Tiger dissolved the reserves. Apparently the "spasms" in his back, which forced him to retire last Sunday in Palm Beach Gardens, were brought under control in three days, with anti-inflammatories and various treatments. The great champion trained a little on the short game and today he's back on track to defend the title he won last year, without even a practice lap. It is true that Tiger has already tamed the Blue Monster four times, but this year the field is different and the sighting lap was entrusted only to caddy Joe LaCava. Will the world number one hold 72 holes?
The second mystery is the new face of the "blue monster". The course is a par 72, 6700 meters, designed 52 years ago by Dick Wilson, completely renovated in recent months according to the indications of Gil Hanse, the architect of the Brazilian course for the 2016 Olympics. The restyling cost Donald Trump 200 million dollars and the WGC Caddillac is the chosen opportunity to present the work done to the world: more water, longer holes and undulations aimed at enlivening a flat course and improving the visibility of the holes by the public. According to Hanse, it is “practically a brand new field”. Even the legendary 18, the hardest par 4 in the world according to Jack Niklaus, has been retouched. Will it live up to its hype? Trump is convinced so and the whole of Doral, a complex of villas, resorts and 5 golf courses, is being relaunched. The bill, for those wishing to give it a try, could be rather steep: the green fee alone at the Blue Monster can in fact cost 450 dollars.
A third question is: will Adam Scott be able to become number one in the world? The Australian hopes for it and for this he is inspired by his compatriot Greg Norman, the White Shark, who in the 80s sat at the top of the Ranking for 331 weeks. To achieve this goal over the weekend, the 2013 Masters champion must win the WGC Cadillac, while Tiger Woods must finish beyond seventh position. A credible scenario.
As known, however, Adam Scott is not the only player who wants to move up positions in the world rankings. Rory McIlory is undoubtedly one of the great favorites of this appointment and the player in the best shape at the start of the season, although on three occasions he has failed to seize the hoped-for success: in Dubai, in Marana and last week at the 'Honda Classic.
Cadillac could reserve other surprises too, starting with Victor Debuisson, the likeable 23-year-old Frenchman who won in Turkey and starred in the WGC Accenture Match Play. Matteo Manassero also feels ready to win a tournament on American soil, even a major, passing, why not, a world championship. Whether it's Manny or Chicco's time?
All triads are to be followed. The most prestigious is obviously that of Woods, Scott and the 2013 Fedex winner Henrik Stenson. Rory, the first two days, plays with Phil Mickelson and the Australian Jason Day, winner in Arizona after a tight head-to-head with Debuisson. Francesco Molinari confronts Bill Haas and the great Ernie Els; Matteo Manassero with the current leader of Fedex Jimmy Walker and with the Englishman Lee Westwood.
Thanks to last week's victory, Russel Henley will also participate in the match as world number 48, who will share the tee times of the first two days with the Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez and the South African Richard Sterne.
Live on Sky 3 Sport every evening starting at 20pm.
