2021 Honda Classic: Top 10 power rankings at PGA National

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Feb 28, 2020; Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, USA; Joaquin Niemann hits from the bunker off of the 18th green during the second round of the 2020 Honda Classic golf tournament at PGA National (Champion). Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

Joaquin Niemann had an impressive Hawaiian swing to open the year, collecting second place in both events. The Chilean couldn’t keep up that pace on the mainland, but he’s still playing steady golf to show a win could be coming soon.

Niemann’s already got one, as well as a President’s Cup appearance, by age 22. A win at The Greenbrier in 2019 helped him make the International team a couple years ago.

Niemann finished T-29th last week at the Players Championship. He made no double bogeys or worse and can feel good about a 33 on the back nine on Sunday at TPC Sawgrass.

It was his seventh straight made cut going back to August. In the 2020-21 season, Niemann has nine top-30s in 11 events.

The Honda Classic is a course where veterans often thrive. I like Niemann’s fortunes to improve at this event as he gets more comfy. He finished T-59th at PGA National in 2019 and missed the cut in 2020.

Niemann ranks 56th or better in every strokes gained category on the PGA Tour. That’s highlighted by 12th in strokes gained off the tee (.585).

I love Niemann’s low, penetrating ball flight at a venue like this week’s if the wind is up.

He’s fifth in scoring average (69.804) and 10th in greens in regulation (71.97%). Going low isn’t usually in the cards at the Honda, but Niemann can make enough birdies (4.75, 3rd) to mitigate some of the mistakes that everyone is bound to make around here.

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