The European Tour and LPGA Tour are both off this week, which puts the spotlight fully on the PGA Tour Honda Classic. Which is deserving of that spotlight, because it has one of its best recent fields. Bookended by two WGC tournaments (the Accenture Match Play Championship last week and next week's Cadillac Championship), the 2012 Honda Classic benefits from the presence of several of Europe's regulars.
Starting with Rory McIlroy, coming off a runner-up showing at the Accenture Match Play. In McIlroy's last 11 starts around the world, he has two wins, four seconds and two thirds (hat tip).
Also in the field, for the first time as a pro, is Tiger Woods. And while Woods hasn't won in several years, he hasn't lost his ability to draw fans; Honda Classic tournament officials told the Palm Beach Post that advance ticket sales are up by a third, and total attendance is expected to increase by more than 50,000 with Woods playing.
One name that popped out on the entry list is that of Hank Kuehne. Kuehne hasn't made a PGA Tour start since 2007, suffering from major back problems, among other physical issues. But he's making a return at the Honda.
Kuehne's best showing on the PGA Tour is second; he's had two runner-up finishes. But he was, when he was playing, better-known than his results alone warranted. Because he was the biggest of the big bombers. He was Dustin Johnson and Bubba Watson. Kuehne's prodigious length even got him invited to fill one of three spots along with Woods in one of Woods' "Battle of the Bridges" made-for-primetime events. (Kuehne appeared scared to death playing under the spotlight in that outing.) Kuehne also had a high-profile romance with tennis star Venus Williams.
Now he's back. And with his sister Kelli retired from the LPGA and brother Tripp retired from USGA tournaments, Hank is the only Kuehne still playing. (Kuehne is playing the Honda on a major medical extension.)
A few of the other top names in the field: Thomas Bjorn, Keegan Bradley, Darren Clarke, Ernie Els, Rickie Fowler, Jim Furyk, Padraig Harrington, Graeme McDowell, Ian Poulter, Justin Rose and Lee Westwood.
Check our Honda Classic tournament page for the list of past champions plus more tourney info and trivia.
Starting with Rory McIlroy, coming off a runner-up showing at the Accenture Match Play. In McIlroy's last 11 starts around the world, he has two wins, four seconds and two thirds (hat tip).
Also in the field, for the first time as a pro, is Tiger Woods. And while Woods hasn't won in several years, he hasn't lost his ability to draw fans; Honda Classic tournament officials told the Palm Beach Post that advance ticket sales are up by a third, and total attendance is expected to increase by more than 50,000 with Woods playing.
One name that popped out on the entry list is that of Hank Kuehne. Kuehne hasn't made a PGA Tour start since 2007, suffering from major back problems, among other physical issues. But he's making a return at the Honda.
Kuehne's best showing on the PGA Tour is second; he's had two runner-up finishes. But he was, when he was playing, better-known than his results alone warranted. Because he was the biggest of the big bombers. He was Dustin Johnson and Bubba Watson. Kuehne's prodigious length even got him invited to fill one of three spots along with Woods in one of Woods' "Battle of the Bridges" made-for-primetime events. (Kuehne appeared scared to death playing under the spotlight in that outing.) Kuehne also had a high-profile romance with tennis star Venus Williams.
Now he's back. And with his sister Kelli retired from the LPGA and brother Tripp retired from USGA tournaments, Hank is the only Kuehne still playing. (Kuehne is playing the Honda on a major medical extension.)
A few of the other top names in the field: Thomas Bjorn, Keegan Bradley, Darren Clarke, Ernie Els, Rickie Fowler, Jim Furyk, Padraig Harrington, Graeme McDowell, Ian Poulter, Justin Rose and Lee Westwood.
Check our Honda Classic tournament page for the list of past champions plus more tourney info and trivia.
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