All of the world's top 50 in the Official World Golf Ranking are scheduled to compete. There is no cut, so an aggressive strategy isn't penalized as much as usual. However, course management is still at a premium.
The fairways at TPC Blue Monster at Doral have ranked no lower than ninth-most difficult to split in any of the editions it's hosted this event. The greens have finished inside the top 15 most challenging to hit in regulation three times, including 10th last year. The lion's share of the scoring occurs on the putting surfaces.
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Match Information:
Tournament: World Golf Championships-Cadillac ChampionshipDate: March 8 - March 11, 2012
Location: Doral Golf Resort & Spa, Miami, FL
Purse: $8,500,000
Course stats: par 72, 7,334 yards
Defending Champion: Nick Watney (-16)
In the last four years, the putts-per-GIR split has ranked no worse than sixth-easiest on TOUR. Last year's field averaged 1.728. The other four in the top five-easiest co-hosted the Bob Hope Classic, site of the annual birdiefest in the desert.
While the aggregate makeup sets the table for exciting golf, the famous par-4 finishing hole is a gut check and a potentially career-altering experience. It ranked as the 33rd most difficult hole (of 918) in relation to par last year at +0.311 as well as the most difficult of the tournament. Reigning champion Nick Watney showcased his confidence with a birdie at the hole in the final round to record a two-stroke margin of victory. It was the most memorable moment of his career year.
As is often the case, wind will present the primary challenge this week. Breezy conditions are forecast throughout. High temperatures will hover around 80 degrees and rain cannot be ruled out any day. The threat of thunderstorms enters the picture on the weekend.
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Power Rankings: WGC-Cadillac Championship
1. Rory McIlroy: After winning last week at The Honda Classic, McIlroy now sits atop the OWGR chart and the golf world (for the time being). Dating back to last September, the 22-year-old Irishman has finished no worse than 11th in 11 worldwide starts with two wins, four runner-up performances and 10 top-fives. Last year, McIlroy was working on a top-five finish at Doral until finishing T10 after a round of 2-over 74 on Sunday.
2. Tiger Woods: Following three strong rounds at Pebble Beach, Woods struggled in the final round of his Tour debut prior to an early exit in match play two weeks later. Last week, Tiger shot up the leaderboard and finished tied for second thanks to a Sunday best round of 8-under 62. In 11 career starts in this event, Tiger has never finished worse than 10th and has won six times, including the first held at Doral.
3. Phil Mickelson: In his first three starts of the season, Mickelson missed one cut and was left without a top-25 finish. Lefty quickly recovered to win at Pebble and tie for second at Riviera. He won at Doral in 2009, finished T14 in 2010 but struggled at the site last year. Mickelson currently sits 10th in strokes gained – putting, 12th in both birdie average and scoring average, and is 14th in All-Around Ranking.
4. Lee Westwood: This will be Westwood’s third straight stateside start following fourth-place results in match play and again last week at the Honda. He’s played at Doral on four occasions with two straight top-30 finishes, including a career-best T18 last year. Westwood is among the most consistent international players, but plays a short American schedule typically limited to WGC events and majors. Take advantage when you can.
Power Rankings: WGC-Cadillac Championship
1. Rory McIlroy: After winning last week at The Honda Classic, McIlroy now sits atop the OWGR chart and the golf world (for the time being). Dating back to last September, the 22-year-old Irishman has finished no worse than 11th in 11 worldwide starts with two wins, four runner-up performances and 10 top-fives. Last year, McIlroy was working on a top-five finish at Doral until finishing T10 after a round of 2-over 74 on Sunday.
2. Tiger Woods: Following three strong rounds at Pebble Beach, Woods struggled in the final round of his Tour debut prior to an early exit in match play two weeks later. Last week, Tiger shot up the leaderboard and finished tied for second thanks to a Sunday best round of 8-under 62. In 11 career starts in this event, Tiger has never finished worse than 10th and has won six times, including the first held at Doral.
3. Phil Mickelson: In his first three starts of the season, Mickelson missed one cut and was left without a top-25 finish. Lefty quickly recovered to win at Pebble and tie for second at Riviera. He won at Doral in 2009, finished T14 in 2010 but struggled at the site last year. Mickelson currently sits 10th in strokes gained – putting, 12th in both birdie average and scoring average, and is 14th in All-Around Ranking.
4. Lee Westwood: This will be Westwood’s third straight stateside start following fourth-place results in match play and again last week at the Honda. He’s played at Doral on four occasions with two straight top-30 finishes, including a career-best T18 last year. Westwood is among the most consistent international players, but plays a short American schedule typically limited to WGC events and majors. Take advantage when you can.
5. Dustin Johnson: In his last three starts of 2012, Johnson owns a pair of top-five finishes and is coming off a T9 in match play. DJ nearly won this event last year but stumbled in the final round to finish as the runner-up. Johnson places sixth in driving distance and 18th in All-Around Ranking.
6. Luke Donald: After a T56 at Riviera and a first round upset defeat in match play, Donald has lost his No. 1 OWGR position. He’s never finished worse than 26th in five starts at Doral, with three top-20s and a career-best T6 last year. After a stellar 2011 campaign, including PGA Player of the Year honors, Donald has yet to record a top-30 finish this season. He’s simply too good to continue this slide.
7. Martin Kaymer: Dating back to last October, Kaymer owns one win, five top-10s and seven finishes of 13th or better in nine worldwide starts. The German was tied for second last year at Doral, but struggled over the weekend and finished T24. This week marks Kaymer’s fourth career start in this event, highlighted by a T3 in 2010.
8. Charl Schwartzel: Over his last four worldwide starts this season, Schwartzel owns a pair of top-fives, including a T5 last week at the Honda. The South African was the runner-up at Doral in 2010 and finished T24 a year ago. Schwartzel ended 2011 with six straight top-10s in international events with four top-fives and shows no signs of slowing down.
9. Hunter Mahan: Last year, Mahan owned the lead following each of the first two rounds at Doral, but eventually finished with a solo ninth. Following three straight top-25 finishes, including a top-10 and two top-15s, Mahan won last week’s match play tournament. He now ranks 10th in scoring average, 13th in total driving, 15th in birdie average and 23rd in All-Around Ranking.
10. Webb Simpson: While Simpson disappointed in match play, he owns a top-five and two top-10s in three stroke play events this season. Simpson is a first timer at Doral, but was a force last year finishing third in the FedExCup standings and placing first in All-Around Ranking. He’s currently first in greens in regulation percentage, sixth in birdie average and 13th in scoring average.
