WGC - CA Championship
The second World Golf Championship of the season takes place at the Doral Golf Resort in Miami, Florida. This will be the fourth consecutive year (last year of four-year contract) that this event is held at Doral.
The par 72 (7200 yards) Blue Monster Course is protected by over 100 bunkers and water is in play on nine of the 18 holes. The 72-hole stroke-play event will host a limited field of 80 players. Note that there will be no cut.
Mixed weather is forecast. Thursday afternoon the winds are forecast to reach 15 – 20mph. Thunderstorms are also forecast for Thursday and Friday.
Key Stats:
Ball control will be the key stat this week. The majority of winners at Doral in recent years have had good greens-in-regulation statistics. The Blue Monster rough is very unforgiving as the ball nestles right down. The professionals will find this course the toughest yet since the groove change. Look for players like Stricker, Scott and Mickelson to adapt best.
Recent winners of the WGC-CA Championship have dominated the par 5’s.
Players to note:
The defending champion is Phil Mickelson (-19). He secured a one-shot-victory over Nick Watney in 2009. Mickelson was 2nd in putts-per-round and notably carded just 20 and 22 putts respectively in his first two rounds last year. He was first in birdies, carding a total of 27.
Steve Stricker has started 2010 in sublime form. His most recent start (Northern Trust Open) ended in victory. In that same event he was 1st in putts and top 10 for greens-in-regulation. In his 3 starts in ‘10 he hasn’t been out of the top 10 for driving accuracy. In this event last year he shot -7 on the par 5’s and was 5th for driving accuracy. The previous year (2008) he tied 6th in this event shooting -9 on the par 5’s and tied 6th for both greens-in-regulation and driving accuracy.
Other former champions participating this week are Geoff Ogilvy, Mike Weir and Ernie Els (the latter two on different courses).
Sergio Garcia has recorded six top 10 finishes in this event, most recently in 2007 where he finished T-3, 4 shots behind the winner Tiger Woods.
Jim Furyk finished 3rd (-16) in 2009. He also carded the same score the previous year where he tied 2nd.
Last week’s Honda Classic winner, Camilo Villegas, finished T-5 (-13) in this event last year.
There are a number of players tackling this event for the first time. They include Michael Sim, Francesco & Edoardo Molinari, Ryan Palmer, Brian Gay, Matt Kuchar & Marc Leishman.
Players to be wary of:
Steve Marino – Marino withdrew from the Honda Classic during his second round. His reason for withdrawal was due to flu-like symptoms.
Selection:
Retief Goosen (33/1) is my main selection this week. He T-6 in the opening event of the season (SBS Championship) where he carded -12 on the par 5’s. In this event last year he opened with a 65 before carding consecutive rounds in the mid 70’s. In that event he still managed to shoot -6 on the par 5’s. In the following event (Transitions Tournament) he finished 1st. Notably, this tournament (Transitions) is held in Florida also and is similar to conditions in Miami, whereby accuracy is essential.
Overall both of these tournaments (CA Championship & Transitions) require an excellent ballstriker. Goosen proved this last year and has started 2010 in decent form. I fully expect Goosen to win the Masters next month and victory in this event will be a stepping stone towards that. Expect Goosen to within striking distance come Sunday evening.
