(GOLF) The Honda Classic - The English Contingent
There is almost always an English golfer present at a PGA Tour event and there is no exception at the Honda Classic. As one of the most popular events on the PGA Tour schedule, it has attracted 6 golfers from England with no shortage of talent. Amongst them are: Tyrell Hatton, Paul Casey, Matthew Fitzpatrick, Luke Donald, Danny Willett and Ian Poulter. This article intends to analyse the individual's success at the event, as well as their form in recent months, in order to come to a conclusion of who stands the best chance of conquering PGA National.
Tyrell Hatton- Predicted finish: Top 30
Hatton has been in superb form recently which has seen him establish himself as one of the best golfers in England. In his last 8 starts, Hatton has finished in the top 25 in all of these. This run also includes 5 top 10 finishes, as well as securing his first win at the Alfred Dunhill Championship. As a result Hatton has risen to a career high of 18th in the world rankings; 4th highest amongst English golfers. The only concern for me revolves around Hatton's lack of experience on American soil. He only started 2 PGA Tour events last year, securing a T17 at the Travelers and missing the cut at the Wyndham Championship. His lack of experience on the Amercian stage is worrying and it could come back to bite him. So Hatton is clearly in great form, but can he translate this form onto the American stage?
Paul Casey - Predicted finish: Top 20
Casey finished off 2016 in electrifying form but he has not been able to keep this up going into the new year. In 2017 he has been steady but not spectacular, with his last 4 starts equating to a MC, T58, T28 and a T39. But Casey could be a contender here if he replicates his form at the event from the last 3 years. Since a MC in 2013 when Casey finished a very unimpressive +15 par, he has managed strong finishes ever since. with a T12 in 2014, a T3 in 2015 and a T43 in 2016. Although not in the greatest form at the moment, given Casey's success at this event he could easily be a contender come Sunday.
Matthew Fitzpatrick - Predicted finish: MC
The Sheffield man has not been too active on the golf course recently, having only played twice this year; with a MC and a T5. However he was able to finish off 2016 strong, rounding off the year with a win at the DP World Tour Championship. However like Hatton, his lack of experience on American soil is again cause for concern. Playing in America is a lot different than playing on the European Tour; and Fitzpatrick has been unable to replicate this form onto the American stage. His only start at the Honda Classic came last year, where he missed the cut by a solitary stroke. Despite his form, I feel he may struggle again this year.
Luke Donald - Predicted finish: Top 50
Since Donald rose to the top of the world rankings in 2011, his game has unfortunately taken a downward spiral and he is no longer the consistent golfer he once was. He has been in steady form recently with a pair of T25's in his last two starts, but this has not helped his world ranking as he now finds himself in a lowly 87th in the world. But the Honda Classic has been a happy hunting ground for Donald, where he has a pair of Top 10's to his name in 2014 and 2015. Despite having an eye for the course, I don't think he currently possesses the game needed to challenge for the title.
Danny Willett - Predicted finish: MC
Willett has not hit the heights many expected him to since his shock Masters win last year, and in recent weeks he has been struggling to produce consistent results. However he will be buoyed by a T5 finish in his last start at the Maybank Championship. This is despite the Yorkshire man relinquishing a third round lead, after he shot a final round 73 to finish 4 shots back. But like the others that base themselves on the European tour; I again am concerned with his lack of practice in recent times on American soil. He has not played at the Honda Classic before so it could go either way, but I think he will be rusty on American soil and this will equate to a MC.
Ian Poulter - Predicted finish: Top 40
'Poults' had a tough time with injuries last year, but he had been able to find a bit of form since his return. He has been able to make the cut in each of his last 5 starts, with 4 of those finishing in the top 40. Poulter has also been able to have success at the Florida event, having finished one shot off a playoff in 2014. He clearly likes like course and has a lot of experience on American soil compared to his compatriots, so I predict he will continue this trend of steady finishes with a solid top 40 finish this week.
Conclusion:
I predict that 4 of the Englishmen will survive the cut, with Casey finishing highest given his recent form and success at the event. Unfortunately for Willett and Fitzpatrick, having analysed their recent form and success on American soil, I predict they will not make the weekend. Unfortunately for all, I don't see an Englishman lifting the trophy come Sunday evening.
Tyrell Hatton- Predicted finish: Top 30
Hatton has been in superb form recently which has seen him establish himself as one of the best golfers in England. In his last 8 starts, Hatton has finished in the top 25 in all of these. This run also includes 5 top 10 finishes, as well as securing his first win at the Alfred Dunhill Championship. As a result Hatton has risen to a career high of 18th in the world rankings; 4th highest amongst English golfers. The only concern for me revolves around Hatton's lack of experience on American soil. He only started 2 PGA Tour events last year, securing a T17 at the Travelers and missing the cut at the Wyndham Championship. His lack of experience on the Amercian stage is worrying and it could come back to bite him. So Hatton is clearly in great form, but can he translate this form onto the American stage?
Paul Casey - Predicted finish: Top 20
Casey finished off 2016 in electrifying form but he has not been able to keep this up going into the new year. In 2017 he has been steady but not spectacular, with his last 4 starts equating to a MC, T58, T28 and a T39. But Casey could be a contender here if he replicates his form at the event from the last 3 years. Since a MC in 2013 when Casey finished a very unimpressive +15 par, he has managed strong finishes ever since. with a T12 in 2014, a T3 in 2015 and a T43 in 2016. Although not in the greatest form at the moment, given Casey's success at this event he could easily be a contender come Sunday.
Matthew Fitzpatrick - Predicted finish: MC
The Sheffield man has not been too active on the golf course recently, having only played twice this year; with a MC and a T5. However he was able to finish off 2016 strong, rounding off the year with a win at the DP World Tour Championship. However like Hatton, his lack of experience on American soil is again cause for concern. Playing in America is a lot different than playing on the European Tour; and Fitzpatrick has been unable to replicate this form onto the American stage. His only start at the Honda Classic came last year, where he missed the cut by a solitary stroke. Despite his form, I feel he may struggle again this year.
Luke Donald - Predicted finish: Top 50
Since Donald rose to the top of the world rankings in 2011, his game has unfortunately taken a downward spiral and he is no longer the consistent golfer he once was. He has been in steady form recently with a pair of T25's in his last two starts, but this has not helped his world ranking as he now finds himself in a lowly 87th in the world. But the Honda Classic has been a happy hunting ground for Donald, where he has a pair of Top 10's to his name in 2014 and 2015. Despite having an eye for the course, I don't think he currently possesses the game needed to challenge for the title.
Danny Willett - Predicted finish: MC
Willett has not hit the heights many expected him to since his shock Masters win last year, and in recent weeks he has been struggling to produce consistent results. However he will be buoyed by a T5 finish in his last start at the Maybank Championship. This is despite the Yorkshire man relinquishing a third round lead, after he shot a final round 73 to finish 4 shots back. But like the others that base themselves on the European tour; I again am concerned with his lack of practice in recent times on American soil. He has not played at the Honda Classic before so it could go either way, but I think he will be rusty on American soil and this will equate to a MC.
Ian Poulter - Predicted finish: Top 40
'Poults' had a tough time with injuries last year, but he had been able to find a bit of form since his return. He has been able to make the cut in each of his last 5 starts, with 4 of those finishing in the top 40. Poulter has also been able to have success at the Florida event, having finished one shot off a playoff in 2014. He clearly likes like course and has a lot of experience on American soil compared to his compatriots, so I predict he will continue this trend of steady finishes with a solid top 40 finish this week.
Conclusion:
I predict that 4 of the Englishmen will survive the cut, with Casey finishing highest given his recent form and success at the event. Unfortunately for Willett and Fitzpatrick, having analysed their recent form and success on American soil, I predict they will not make the weekend. Unfortunately for all, I don't see an Englishman lifting the trophy come Sunday evening.
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