News

Revving Up The Honda (Classic)

Published

15 years ago

Mar 2, 2011

By Scott MacLeod, via Flagstick Golf Magazine (www.flagstick.com)

In the newest era of professional golf, the one where Tiger Woods has failed to be a factor, The Honda Classic lines up to be yet another event where another player will assert themselves in his absence and make a mark on the 2011 PGA Tour.

A bevy of top players, including five of the top ten players in the world, are on hand in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida this week to test their mettle of what can be a very punishing Champion Course at PGA National Resort & Spa.

2010 winner Camilo Villegas blitzed the field (or at least runner-up Anthony Kim) by five strokes in capturing his third PGA Tour title last year. He hopes to become only the second person to defend his title in this event that originated as the Jackie Gleason’s Inverrary Classic in 1972. That sole successful defender? None other than the man himself, Jack Nicklaus, who turned the feat in 1977-1978.

Villegas became the 5^th international player to claim The Honda Classic title in the last six times the event has been played. The only American winner in that stretch? Mark Wilson in 2007 – the same Mark Wilson who is already a two-time winner on tour in 2011.

With a field strengthened by the fact that the World Golf Championships – CA Championship will be played down the road at TPC Doral next week logic says that once again an International player could come out on top.

It would be hard to deny Luke Donald as the odds-on favorite. The Englishman required just 73 holes on his way to the World Golf Championships – Accenture Match Play Championship title just a few days ago. Add that to his win at The Honda Classic in 2006 (albeit on a different course – The Country Club at Mirasol) and you have to think he is ready to deal with the “the Bear Trap”, the legendary 15^th, 16^th, and 17^th holes at the Champion Course that have derailed a dream or two in their day.

Donald, Wilson, and Villegas will be among twelve past champions of The Honda Classic teeing it up this week. They will be joined by Y.E. Yang (2009), Ernie Els (2008), Justin Leonard (2003), Matt Kuchar (2002), Jesper Parnevik (2001), Vijay Singh (1999), Mark Calcavecchia (1998, 1987), Stuart Appleby (19970, Tim Herron (1996), and Nick Price (1994).

Overall there are 22 of the top 50 players from the Official World Golf Rankings in the field (including World #2 Lee Westwood who tied for 9^th last year) so expect a high-powered showdown come Sunday.

Of course those players will have a fine stage for their drama as PGA National is highly regarded, and not just for the trio of holes that makes up the Bear Trap.

The par 70 layout demands the best of the players with wind always seeming to be a big factor in play. Last year the 36-hole cut came at a whopping three over par with Villegas’ 267 total actually being the lowest aggregate score for the event in the four years it has been at PGA National – by four strokes.

The outlook is for fairly strong winds on Thursday and Friday, in the 20-30 MPH range, so look to see those striking the ball solidly to climb to the top quickly. That will settle a bit over the weekend but if you have to make some Fantasy Pool bets, look to the players known for keeping the ball in play as a good selection.

There is a reason International players excel at The Honda Classic; they seem much more comfortable in the wind so don’t expect their winning streak to go away any time soon.

2011 Honda Classic

Dates: February 28-March 6, 2011

Where: PGA National Resort & Spa, Champion Course; Palm Beach Gardens, FL

Par/Yards: 35-35—70/7,158

Field: 144

Format: 72-hole stroke play

Defending Champion: Camilo Villegas

Purse: $5,700,000; Winner’s Share: $1,026,000

This report provided to GolfWRX.com by Canada’s Flagstick Golf Magazine, www.flagstick.com

News

GolfWRX’s Father’s Day Gift Guide (2026)

Published

1 day ago

Jun 9, 2026

GolfWRX Staff

A reminder from your friends at GolfWRX: Father’s Day is June 21. And as we do every year, we’re rounding up the best gifts for dad.

As we say every year, there’s no better golf-related Father’s Day gift than a round of golf with pops. Be it a country club or your favorite muni, take the time to get together to play 18 if you can.

Let’s get to the gifts.

Ghost Golf Qualifier Diamond Polo

We like the new polos that Ghost is offering, as the fabric and fit are so good. These new Qualifier Collection polos breathe well, are lightweight, stretch with your swing, and of course look great. You can wear them on the course, in the office, or just out at a casual event and they will fit right in.

Buy here.

STR8-Strip Grip Tape Remover

If your dad is an equipment aficionado and tinkers with his clubs, this tool works wonders. Removing grip tape has never been easier, just put a little head on the tape and the STR8-Strip peals it right off the shaft without any damage.

Buy here.

Why Golf: Putting Thing

When it comes to practice, it is good to have a purpose. This “Putting Thing” sure does it. We know from personal experience how challenging it can be and how rewarding it is on the practice green. This also provides some competition for your kiddo to see who will unload the dishwasher or do the next chore around the house.

Buy here.

OluKai Lae‘ahi Men’s Breathable Slip-On Shoes

Riding to and from the course in style and comfort is always a good thing. If you’re in a hurry, it’s a nice feature to slide into your shoes and get to the tee time. For the post-game shoe, at your locker or while putting your clubs away in the car. Nice to slide into a shoe that looks good anywhere. Pair that with meeting the family for dinner, no need to change!

Buy here.

Therabody Theragun Relief

A little wellness goes a long way. Keeping loose is a good way to go when it comes to the weekend game or treatment during the week. If there is a little ache or pain, the Theragun is there to help out. Help loosen up the back for a pre-game warm-up or cool-down.

Buy here.

World Cup golf apparel

Something for the soccer dads. Embrace the World Cup fever this summer on the course with custom gear to support the nation of your choice.

Buy here.

FootJoy Pro SL spikeless golf shoes

Give the old man a break and save his feet with the Footjoy Pro SL Men’s Spikeless Golf Shoes for some added comfort on the course.

Buy here.

Bushnell Wingman 2 GPS speaker

Combine all the hits as well as some game improvement with the Wingman 2 Golf GPS Speaker by getting audible distance readings from 38,000+ courses worldwide through the Wingman 2 remote or speaker.

Buy here.

Personalized Titleist Pro V1 golf balls

The No. 1 ball in golf is a safe bet, and the Pro V1 fits the largest chunk of the bell curve if you don’t know what ball pops plays. Add personalization for a, well, personal touch!

Buy here.

GolfWRX may earn a commission for purchases made through links on this page, at no extra cost to you.

Tour Photo Galleries

Photos from the 2026 OccuNet Classic

Published

2 days ago

Jun 9, 2026

GolfWRX Staff

With the PGA Tour across the border in Canada this week, GolfWRX Tour Photographer Greg Moore stayed stateside and headed to the OccuNet Classic presented by Amarillo National Bank in Amarillo, Texas.

It’s always interesting to see what the guys are playing on the KFT, and this week certainly hasn’t disappointed so far, with some incredible wedge stamping on display.

Check out links to all our albums below.

General Albums

2026 OccuNet Classic (KFT) – Monday #1

WITB Albums

Pullout Albums

Luke Potter’s custom Cameron putter – 2026 OccuNet Classic (KFT)

News

From the GolfWRX Classifieds: Scotty Cameron GOLO 6 with BGT Stability Tour2 2022 M Edition

Published

2 days ago

Jun 9, 2026

Will Schube

At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals who all experience and express our enjoyment of the game in many ways.

It’s that sense of community that drives day-to-day interactions in the forums on topics that range from best driver to what marker you use to mark your ball. It even allows us to share another thing we all love – buying and selling equipment.

Currently, in our GolfWRX buy/sell/trade (BST) forum, @HuskerFlyer is sharing a Scotty Cameron GOLO with a BGT Stability Tour2 2022 M Edition shaft. While the putter is certainly enviable, the Augusta-inspired shaft is equally noteworthy.

From the listing:

Scotty Cameron Golo 6 with BGT Stability Tour2 2022 M Edition Scotty Headcover 34″ $375

To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link. If you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum, you can learn more here: GolfWRX BST Rules.