PGA National Golf Club

With the European tour in the middle of a 4-week hiatus, the best golfers in the world make their way to PGA National Golf Club in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida – home of the PGA of America - for the Honda Classic. Sandwiched between two World Golf Championships, PGA National’s Champions Course hosts the 40th playing of an event that debuted in 1972 as the Jackie Gleason Inverrary Classic when smooth-swinging Tom Weiskopf piped Jack Nicklaus by a single shot for the title. Always one of the toughest courses to score on since it began hosting the Honda Classic in 2007, the Champions opened for play in 1981 and is the best known of PGA National’s four courses having hosted the 1983 Ryder Cup and the 1987 PGA Championship.

The original layout was a joint effort between uncle-and-nephew team George and Tom Fazio, whilst Jack Nicklaus carried out major redesigns in 1990 and 2002. The Champions Course sets up at a shade under 6600m with a par of 70 and water is in play on 16 holes, with the prevailing South Florida winds adding another layer of difficulty. More than a few players will be tempted on the first tee to go for the green with only 330m to the pin, especially if there is a favourable wind. However, with a lake on the left, a narrow opening at the front and trees and a bunker on the right, there are all the classic elements of risk and reward.

Holes 15,16 and 17 – a strong par 4 sandwiched between two challenging and tricky par 3’s – are collectively known as the Bear Trap, named for Jack Nicklaus whose redesign fortified this section of the course, and the title could well be won or lost right here. The closing hole is a 555m double dogleg par 5 with water and bunkers in play its entire length - an exciting finish that grabs the attention of players and spectators alike.

South Africa’s Rory Sabbatini will be looking to defend the title he won last year against three reigning Major champions – Charl Schwartzel, Rory McIlroy and Darren Clarke. Additionally, nearby resident Tiger Woods is playing the event for the first time since turning pro, and will try to make this more than just a warm-up for next week’s World Golf Championship down the road at Doral’s Blue Monster.

Golfweather Editorial