Golf: Doral Promises Fans A Great Finish
By Les Bailey
The WGC-Cadillac Championship is setting golf fans all over the world up for what could be the best finish in 2013, and possibly one of the best finishes in recent history. With six Major Champions in the top ten as action gets underway on Saturday afternoon at The Doral Blue Monster, it could make moving day quite interesting.
There are several factors independent from the players that are lining up to insure a photo finish at the famous old golf course that has downtown Miami in the background. Donald Trump, who owns the Doral complex, will begin restorations the minute the tournament crowns a champion. With no fear of damaging the greens, they can let them dry as much as needed to make them as fast as possible. They are already running 12 on the Stimpmeter, with no rain expected in the forecast, the speed will only increase.
The wind has not been a factor for the first two rounds, but is expected to pick up some over the weekend, putting some teeth into an already tough golf course. The Weather Channel is forecasting winds at 10-20 miles per hour for both Saturday and Sunday afternoon.
Tiger Woods will begin play on Saturday with a two stroke lead, but the 14 time major champion will have Graeme McDowell, Phil Mickelson, putting instructor, Steve Stricker, and Bubba Watson in his rear view mirror. McDowell is the 2010 US Open Champion, and beat Tiger at his World Challenge last fall, Phil is playing pretty well, and has also won a tournament this spring . Stricker is always dangerous, especially if he has his putter working, and the 2012 Master’s Champ, Bubba Watson, who is always a wild card.
McDowell, who will be paired with Tiger on Saturday, is two back, Lefty is three strokes back, and tied with Stricks, with Bubba four back. The second pack includes Freddie Jacobson at -9 and tied with Watson, two major champions in Charl Schwartzel, and Keegan Bradley inside the top ten. All three are gutsy players who can match Woods’ intensity, and if they start rolling putts in the hole can quickly become a factor.
If you are an avid golf fan, or a casual one, this promises to be must see TV. You better strap yourself into your Laz-Y-Boy, and get a cold one. This is going to be good.
Follow Us on Twitter @ProGolfNow