Tournament: WGC-Cadillac Championship
Where: Doral Country Club, Blue Monster Course, Miami Florida
Details of course: Par 72, 7,334 yards; Original designer: Dick Wilson and Robert Von Haggle (1962); redesign: Raymond Floyd and Ted McAnlis, (1966); Jim McLean 1999; The Donald now owns the resort and course, buying it in 2012, and will have Gil Hanse redesign it starting April 1 of this year.
Purse: $8,700,000
Winner’s share: $1,400,000
Weather: Today: Sunny 73, wind 11 MPH; Friday: Sunny, 77, wind 6 MPH; Saturday: Sunny, 75, wind 16 MPH; Sunday: Sunny, 75, wind 14 MPH.
TV coverage:
Golf Channel; Today: 2-6 PM ET/1-5 PM CT; Tonight: Golf Channel: 8:30 PM-12 AM ET, 7:30 PM to 11 PM CT.
Friday: Golf Channel, 2-6 PM ET; 1-5 PM CT; Friday Night: Golf Channel 8:30 PM -12 AM ET; 7:30 PM-11 PM CT.
Saturday: Golf Channel: 12-2 PM ET; 11AM-1 PM CT ; NBC: 2-6 PM ET; 1-5 CT.
Sunday:Golf Channel: 12 -2 PM ET; 11 AM-1 PM CT; NBC: 3-7 PM ET; 2-6 PM CT.AM
NBC lead commentators: Dan Hicks and Johnny Miller
2012 winner: Justin Rose (-16)
Commentary: 1,10 and 12 are considered the easiest holes on the course. One is a par 5, 529 yards, and of the 882 holes played on the PGA tour last year, one at Doral was rated as the easiest hole. Number Ten is a par 5, 551 that will be downwind making the hole shorter. The long hitters will be hitting three, four and five iron to this green on their second shot. Many birdies and a few eagles are expected on this hole. Number 12 is a 603-yard, par 5. There won’t be many players hitting the green in two. Over 400 trees have been planted on the right side and there is a huge bunker on the right that stretches from 96 to 166 yards from the green. A birdie hole, but not an eagle hole. The last three winners at Doral have been -9 on these three holes for the four days. There is no cut in this tourney. All but two of the top 50 players in the world are playing. Snedeker out; not sure who the other is.
Some other holes make up for those scoreable holes. Three (Par 4, 438) is considered the most difficult driving hole on the course. A miss right will find the lake, a miss left will find the deep rough or tough fairway bunker. Approach shots are critical as a sharp slope to the left of the green makes for a very difficult up an down. Number four is a 236 yard par three and a pivotal hole. It’s the hardest par-3 on the course at 236 though 13 is 10 yards longer. Two deep bunkers guard the left side any slight miss on the right will be water bound.
Number 17 is a par-4, 419 yard hole that plays 15 yards longer due to the players hitting into the wind. Green guarded by bunkers. A back pin placement requires a shot over a deep and intimidating bunker guarding the green’s left side.
Number 18 was rated as the second toughest hole on the tour last year, just behind number 6 at Olympic Club (U.S. Open). It’s a par-4, 467 yards The drive is extremely challenging and with the pressure on Sunday, it gets even tougher. There is water guarding the entire left side and trees on the right. A lot of trouble. Longer hitters have a wider landing surface, but going for it takes a lot of courage. Should be some real dramatics here on Saturday and especially Sunday.
Contenders:
1.Tiger Woods
Has won at the Blue Monster six times (’99, ’02, ’03, ’05, ’06, ’07). Can he break out this week? His ball striking is still solid. Just needs to make putts.
2.Matt Kuuuchar
Most consistent player on the tour right now coming off his match play win two weeks ago. Hasn’t ever won at Doral, but his win at the Players last year proved he’s a big-time, elite player. One of the best putters on the tour and just super solid player.
3.Hunter Mahan:
Coming off a second place finish at Match Play two weeks ago. Short game has vastly improved and crushes the ball. Excellent ball striker. If his short game is there, he’ll be in it on Sunday.
4.Geoff Ogilvy:
Back from a slump for a three or four years, Ogilvy finished second last week at the Honda playing terrific golf. His chip in on 16 at the Honda was masterful. He won here in 2008. Like where his game is at right now. He’s back.
5. Phil:
Won here in 2009 and always a threat on the Florida swing. Game is pretty solid right now. Striking the ball extremely well, particularly off the tee, and his modified claw putting grip seems to be working well. If his short game is on, Phil definitely will be a factor.
6. Robert Garrigus:
He’s due. Tremendous driver of the ball and a pretty darn good putter. Waiting for him to take it to the next level and win one. Expect him to be in the mix on Sunday.
7. Luuuke Donald
His putter will always keep him in it if he can hit his driver and approach shots solidly. He, Snedeker and Kuchar are the best putters on the tour right now.
Winner:
Geoff Ogilvy
Think Geoff is ready to break out and recapture some of his magic from 2006-’08. Won the U.S. Open in 2006 at Winged Foot.He’s won three World Golf Championships in his career.
