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Honda Classic: 36 Hole Recap and Weekend Preview

By Ryan Andrade

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Rickie Fowler at the top of the Honda Classic leaderboard once again.

Is the Honda Classic is shaping up for a replay of Arizona? Maybe.

We last saw Rickie Fowler on Super Bowl Sunday. He had the 54 hole lead at the Waste Management Phoenix Open, but was unable to close the deal. Hideki Matsuyama would go on to steal Fowler’s bid for a second worldwide win in 2016 already. Three weeks later Fowler hasn’t let his disappointing finish in Scottsdale derail his excellent play to start the year.

Fowler fired his second straight 4-under-par 66 Friday at the Honda Classic to give him a one shot lead heading into the weekend. More impressive than that, is the fact that Fowler is bogey free through his first 36 holes. That is a great accomplishment at any course, but is even more impressive when you consider how difficult this course has played. The winds have been up and left the players guessing.

The key to his success this year has really been Fowler’s short game. He is no doubt striking the ball beautifully, but at times in the past his short game has been subpar. That argument can’t be made the last few years, and especially right now. When he misses greens, he has all the shots needed to get the ball up and down.

Fowler’s putting stroke is also really confident. He has never had a problem leaving putts short, because he is always very aggressive. That type of stroke makes sure he never decelerates on the short putts, which is a cardinal sin. He just flat out has no fear of anything, and his weapon of choice is the flat stick.

Sitting only a stroke behind Fowler is Jimmy Walker. The Baylor alum has not played some of his best golf as of late. While yes, he has finished in the top 15 in every tournament except for his missed cut last week, Walker has come out sluggish on Thursday and Friday this year. He usually makes the cut on the number and then plays very well Saturday and Sunday. However, he is really out of the tournament by his early 3rd round tee time.

Walker is a proven winner on the PGA TOUR and we expect to see him playing better earlier in the tournament. The key for Walker is usually his driver. He has been one of the better drivers on tour, both for distance and accuracy, but he struggled late last year and into this year. If he is putting himself in the fairway, he is going to be a tough player to beat.

Two shots behind the leader is the Spaniard Sergio Garcia. After a poor showing in the Northern Trust Open last week, Sergio seems to have found his stride at the Honda Classic. After a 5-under-par 65 in the first round, he shot in the 60’s once again by carding a 69 in the second round. He played with Rickie Fowler the first two days and now will play in front of him on Saturday.

This isn’t something that should shock most people, but if Sergio putts well he usually has a chance come Sunday. It’s been that way his entire career. He seems more comfortable on these Honda Classic bermuda greens than the poa annua he faced in LA.

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The man who came up one shot short last week is 4 shots back of Rickie Fowler heading into the weekend. Yes, that is Adam Scott. Our last memory is of him chipping in from behind the green at 18 in LA. After a solid even par round on Thursday Scott came out and took it low playing in the afternoon. He shot a 5-under-par 65 in a round that started off with a bang as he eagled the par-5 3rd hole.

If Adam Scott can continue to stay consistent over the putts inside of 10 feet, he might just take home the hardware this week. However, making up 4 shots on Rickie Fowler is going to be no easy task. Scott will be in the second to last group with Sergio.

It was a disappointing week for Rory McIlroy, who many considered to be the favorite as he was coming to a course in which he has played so well in the past. Rory just took one step forward and two steps back. He made two double bogeys and a triple bogey in 36 holes. I don’t care who you are, it’s tough to make cuts when your putting double squares on the card. Bogeys will happen, but you need to limit the damage.  Forget the Honda Classic. Rory will look to bounce back next week at Doral.

Some other notable this week are Phil Mickelson and Patrick Reed. Mickelson struggled in round two as he shot a 4-over-par 74 and just made the cut on the number. He could still be lingering over that missed chance to win two weeks ago at Pebble Beach.

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As for Reed, he just hasn’t really played that well since his 2nd in Maui to start the year. Reed will have good vibes next week, however, as he heads to a place he has won before in Doral.

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