US PGA Tour: WGC Cadillac Championship
Trump National, Doral, Florida > Par 72 and 7,418 yards (note: new design)
Off to Florida and the revamped or more accurately, re-designed and rebuilt Trump National course – the old Blue Monster was tired and outdated so has been thoroughly overhauled by Gil Hanse so although geographically it’s in the same place, it’s a new course for the superbly-assembled field this week
Full details can be found on the PGA Tour website here > PGA Tour Website
So, what to expect? well, it’s long, has much more water, bunkers have been moved to accommodate the length of these pros and the once-easy greens have been completely rebuilt – thus, it should be a superb test and a cracking tournament. The field is the absolute best it can be and with The Masters not too far away, there won’t (shouldn’t) be too many excuses from anyone
Selections:
Adam SCOTT > after tipping him to win last year’s Masters I am keen on Mr Scott winning another major and perhaps he could repeat at Augusta – he took a decent break after the New Year and ticked over well last week when 12th at The Honda, overall stats and recent record are superb – value pick at 16.5 BF
Rory McILROY > no apologies for selecting another at the top of the market but this event brings out the best and Rory is playing well without quite finishing tournaments off; he’s always had a propensity to blow a good position a la Honda last week but that’s the way he is, he could quite easily shoot a 64 as a 74 in the final round – I never used to back him but his game is in a good place now and if he is mentally on song, he could easily get away from this quality field, 9.6 BF
I expect good things from the likes of Spieth, Dubuisson and English – all young players with no fear and going great guns. I will keep an eye on them and maybe trade through the event
The others I w ill back initially and maybe trade as the prices are great are:
Ernie ELS > 160 looks very generous for a class act, ok his form was off for a while but he showed up well at the Matchplay and could surprise a few here
Jonas BLIXT > I backed him a few times last year and he is a terrific player, capable of winning and could relish this opportunity to establish himself, 260
G Fernandez-Castano > 270 is tempting for another good player who should enjoy this course
