No Clear-Cut Favorite At The Honda Classic

Sports News - March 3rd, 2010 - Written By Bryan Cross

The West Coast Swing on the 2010 PGA Tour has concluded, and now players cross the country to Florida for the Honda Classic this week.

While most remember Y.E Yang's dramatic and historic victory over Tiger Woods at the 2009 PGA Championship, it was at the Honda Classic that Yang won his first event of the year in 2009, and it the defending champion.

This year, Yang is among the members in the field that will challenge the PGA National Champion Course at Palm Beach Gardens. The par-70 course which measures 7,158 yards will present a stark contrast to the course out in Arizona that the players competed on last week at the Phoenix Open.

The course at Palm Beach Gardens is a traditional Florida golf course. It has very little changes in elevation, but is lined with trouble both left and right. The fairways are narrow, and the rough is thick bermuda-grass. Water hazards and out-of-bounds come into play on the majority of holes, putting a premium on execution and ball placement. Players will have to course manage very well and pick and choose their places throughout the golf course in which they can be more aggressive.

There will be several critical holes to pay attention to, including the 10th and 18th. The turn onto the back-nine begins with a 525-yard par four, with trees lining the right half of the fairway. Longer hitters in the field will have an advantage, but will still be left with at least a mid-iron shot to a small green surrounded by bunkers. The 18th hole could provide room for drama, as is the case with most closing par-5's. At 604-yards, it is reachable with two extraordinary shots, but most players will pick a yardage they are comfortable with for a short approach.

Phil Mickelson has headlined the betting favorites in the tournaments this year, but will not participate in the Honda Classic. In his stead, several players have caught the attention of oddsmakers.

Robert Allenby has been installed with 16/1 odds on the PGA Lines at Bodog sportsbook. Allenby has played five times this season, and tabbed a runner-up finish at the Sony Open in Hawaii. Allenby is a long hitter, but has only hit 60 percent of his fairways this season. If he cannot find the fairway, his length will not be an advantage. However, his short game has performed well, and can make up for any errors in the full swing.

Paul Casey came within a few holes of claiming the WGC Accenture World Match Play event two weeks ago, losing to Ian Poulter in the 36-hole final. Prior to that, he has made only one appearance on the 2010 PGA Tour, at the opening SBS Championship where he tied for 10th. Casey struck the ball beautifully and putted well in match play. If he can carry that game over to this week, look for his name to be on the leader board. He sports odds of 16/1 as well.

Young Irishman Rory McIlroy is one of the best ball strikers in the world, and is a threat to win if he can get his putter going. The short game has been his Achilles heel if anything, but he has worked hard to improve it week by week. This course suits McIlroy's game, because it is considered a ball strikers course. He lost in the match play, finishing in a tie for 17th. McIlroy has been installed with odds at 16/1 to claim the Honda Classic.

Lee Westwood was a No.1 seed in the Match play tournament two weeks ago, but was upset in the second round. He struggled to convert opportunities with the putter, and as a result was sent home early. Westwood is known for being fantastic around the greens, with his creativity and experience. He has also been set with 16/1 odds this week, according to PGA Betting Lines found at Bodog Sportsbook.

In tracking down Woods and claiming the major title in August last year, Yang became the first player ever to come from behind and beat the top-ranked golfer when he held the 54-hole lead in a major. He is clearly not intimated by anyone, and should have confidence entering the tournament, given his past success. Yang finished third last week at the Phoenix Open and has been playing very consistent. Look for Yang to compete well this week, with odds at 28/1.

Coverage of the Honda Classic can be seen on the Golf Channel Thursday and Friday from 3-6 pm Est. Weekend action will be picked up by NBC, beginning at 3pm Est.