Brennans Caddy Report-WGC CA Championship

Thu, 26 Feb 2009 22:13:46

After a couple of weeks off, it's back to work this week at the second World Golf Championship event of the year, the CA Championship in Doral, Florida. These world events are great to play in as they have limited fields and a larger than average purse; this week there are 79 in the field, with an $8 purse. This is also one of the few events all year that doesn't have a two day playing cut, which is a nice feeling. I know guys never want to think about trying to make the cut, but it has to be in the back of your mind if you are not playing your best. Knowing that you have all four days to compete gives you a little more comfort on the first day.

The host course this week is the famous Blue Monster located in Doral, just northwest of Miami. Known as one of the most difficult courses in Florida, it has one of the toughest finishing holes in golf. The condition of the course is as good as I have ever seen it. The fairways and greens are in fabulous condition, and although the rough isn't very long, it's that stringy Bermuda grass where the ball sits right down to the bottom. It is going be very important to hit as many greens as possible to avoid that rough around the greens. The tee shots offer a bit of room, so it won't be as hard to hit a lot of fairways, with irons being the key. Most importantly, having a good week with the putter is critical as these greens are the best Bermuda greens I have ever seen. The grain plays a role, but as fast as they are, the grain is minimized.

(As a side note, I have noticed that I say the same thing every week regarding the courses being in great shape. Someone on the PGA Tour superintendant staff deserves some credit for this, as each week the courses appear to be just a little bit better than they have been in the past.)

Back to the tournament, there are a lot of risk-reward holes here at Doral, especially on the par 5's, which leads to some exciting golf. Number 8 and number 10 are both reachable in two strokes, but at the same time the greens are guarded by water and make the second shots very difficult. I like these types of holes as you have to use your brain and think about what you want to do. There are so many 600 yard par 5's where all you have to do is line up and blast two woods, never having to think. It will be nice to have to work your way around this week.

The par 3's are very challenging. Hole number 13 plays at 240 yards and with the wind, a 3 wood can be your best bet. Eighteen is one of the best finishing holes in all of golf. Golf fans that enjoy watching golf on TV have got to love seeing the tournament come down the stretch with the lake down the left side of the hole from tee to green. It is probably the tightest fairway on the course, and with the water down the left, it requires you to guard against it. The approach shot is no bargain even if you are in the fairway. As long as the wind isn't helping you on 18, I would consider this one of the top 5 toughest finishing holes in golf.

I'm excited to see some great golf played!

Thanks for reading!