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Honda Classic Power Rankings: Top ten golfers at PGA National

By Mike Randleman

PALM BEACH GARDENS, FL - FEBRUARY 26: Rickie Fowler of the United States plays a shot on the 18th hole during the final round of The Honda Classic at PGA National Resort and Spa on February 26, 2017 in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
PALM BEACH GARDENS, FL - FEBRUARY 26: Rickie Fowler of the United States plays a shot on the 18th hole during the final round of The Honda Classic at PGA National Resort and Spa on February 26, 2017 in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
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The PGA TOUR’s “Florida Swing” begins this week at the Honda Classic. Who will come out on top at the demanding PGA National?

Something about the PGA Tour’s shift to the east coast – and the Honda Classic in particular –  makes it feel like we’re entering the heart of the season. And it’s still February.

Augusta looms less than two months away, and international players are starting to hop over to the US to prepare.

Every major player is at least a few tournaments deep into their 2018 season, and it’s time to play for keeps.

While the Masters is the next major on the schedule in April, this week’s Honda Classic is preparation better fit for a US Open.

The tale of the tape at PGA National reads just 7,140 yards for a par-70, but there’s more to the story. Where there’s not a bunker, there’s thick, juicy rough to penalize wayward shots. Water comes into play on several holes, and the “Bear Trap” of holes 15-17 is one of the PGA Tour’s toughest crunch time tests.

PGA National’s Champion course offered up four of the toughest 20 holes on the PGA Tour in 2016 according to Golf Digest’s Joel Beall.

The keys to victory at the Honda Classic, where the winning score in relation to par is about nine-under, are either a strong short game or accurate ball striking. Preferably both. The ability to hole mid-range putts for par goes a long way to keep momentum going.

This event isn’t for everyone, but this week challenges players in a way we don’t see too often anymore on the PGA Tour.

The forecast looks dry, though Palm Beach Gardens appears to be its typically breezy self.

Tiger Woods making an appearance adds more star power to an already solid field. Spoiler alert: he didn’t crack the top ten after last week’s showing at Riviera. Sorry to burst your bubble early.

It should be a fun week of golf. Here are the top ten players I’ll be looking for at the top of the leaderboard at PGA National.

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