Golf: Ford Championship at Doral in Florida
March 3, 2005
What The Golfing gods Say….
Well the WGC Match Play has produced a worthy champion in David
Toms and I think no one could resist his irresistible play over
the week. To be over twenty-five under (okay so they are given a
few gimmees!), over seven rounds of golf on a course that was damp,
miserable and with greens feeling like sponges is a pretty good
effort.
In fact the win this week for Toms opens the debate about what
type of player makes the best match player? I personally think you
need to have someone who is able to maintain constant pressure on
their opponent throughout the match. I do not believe that the player
who makes plenty of birdies and bogeys is necessary the type of
guy you require and I think this philosophy is strengthened by the
fact that players like Mickelson do not have great records in the
event. Players like Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson and even Colin Montgomerie
who are all great match players and can apply pressure on an opponent
throughout a round strengthen this theory.
A special mention must also be made for Ian Poulter. His efforts
over the past week have been exceptional and he was unlucky to be
seven under par in his match against Retief Goosen and still loose!
For those of you who saw this match it was the highlight of the
week by far. At one point in the match the players had made ten
birdies in twelve holes and they were still all square. One match
for the honor roll I think.
And so to this week.
The US PGA tour heads east this week with the Ford Championship
at Doral in Florida. Affectionately known as the Blue Monster because
twelve holes have water on them Doral has been strengthened in length
(about 150 yards) and with bunkers now totally over one hundred.
The four par fives give excellent opportunities for birdies while
the other holes provide a tough test indeed. The local Bermuda grass
greens will also provide a test, as they are particularly grainy
and large in area.
Finally there is an incredible bias towards players from Florida
or who have a Florida connection in this event. Thirteen of the
last fifteen winners of Doral have been Florida residents!
Selections:
Phil Mickelson: perhaps the hottest golfer in the world right now,
Leftie comes to Doral full of confidence. An early defeat to David
Toms in the WGC Match Play will have given Phil time to prepare
for this week. If he can get back a little more control with his
driver then he will go very close this week.
Davis Love: if David is fit this week then I feel he could contend.
He has a great record around Doral with a number of top ten finishes
and there were glimpses of a return to form from him last week.
If he can continue his momentum then he will go close this week.
Tiger Woods: obvious choice along with Mickelson but he is hard
to get away from. With the new swing improving every week all that
is left is for Woods to start holing some birdie putts. His putter
has been relatively cold lately and if it heats up in Florida then
everyone else may be playing for second place.
Others to mention: Jim Furyk, John Huston, Joe Durant and Kevin
Na.
In the past month the European tour has been to Australia, New
Zealand and Malaysia. However this week the tour moves ‘closer’
to home with the Dubai Desert Classic held at the Emirates Golf
Club in Dubai. This event is the start of a two-week Middle East
leg for the European tour and the highlight this week will be the
return of Ernie Els to the desert. The Emirates Golf course is primarily
a resort style course with generous fairways, large greens and little
rough, however the course has been toughened up considerable since
2001.
Selections:
Ernie Els: he may be a short priced favorite this week but with
very good reason. Ernie’s record in this event is second only
to his record in the Heineken Classic at Royal Melbourne. In the
past three years he has not finished worse than third and won the
event in 2002, with a stroke average for those three years of 68.25!
This is an incredible record and he must go very close again.
Thongchai Jaidee: the best golfer to come from the Asian tour so
far, Jaidee arrives in the desert after winning the Malaysian Open
two weeks ago. He has a proven record in the event with two top
ten finishes in the last three years. He will contend this week.
Miguel Angel Jimenez: the Spaniard is slowly working his way into
2005 with a solid performance in Asia recently. Second only to Ernie
Els in the world rankings for the event this talented player will
go very close if his form is continuing to improve. Expect him to
contend this week.
Others to mention: Colin Montgomerie, Lee Westwood, David Howell
and Maarten Lafeber.
Until next week – May The Golfinggods Be With You!
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