Mickelson will be joined by world #2 Steve Stricker, Lee Westwood, and Paul Casey. Ian Poulter, who won the years first WGC event is also entered. Poulter likes the course and is looking for another big victory.

The course will set up for the best players in the world. The Blue Monster will play at just over 7,200 yards for the week, and Stephen Ames holds the course record with a 61 in 2000. The Blue Monster features the toughest finishing hole on the PGA Tour. No lead is safe coming into 18, the hole yields many more bogeys and double bogeys than birdies.

Past winners here beside Mickelson include Mike Weir, Ernie Els, Geoff Ogilvy, and of course Tiger Woods. Tiger has not played a tournament in 2010 yet, and he is not entered in the CA Championship. Tiger has six previous victories in the CA Championship, and he will be missed by the fans, players, and officials at Doral. With Tiger not in the field, it’s wide open for anyone to win. Look for one or more of the under 25 year olds to break through and win this title and check out the prop bets for this event.

His stats are out of this world. He’s won 30 per cent of the golf tournaments he has entered as a professional. He’s won 71 PGA Tour events, 14 majors, and events on every professional tour in the world.

With all of Tiger’s problems, I think the best therapy for him would be to get back out of the golf course as soon as possible. Many of the major championship venues suit Tiger well this year, and by winning a major this year, Tiger can win back a lot of fans. Let’s look at some betting odds offered on Tiger for the coming year or so.

Odds that Tiger will stay married: 8-1

Odds that Tiger will play in 2010: 3-2

Odds that Tiger will play in The Masters: 5-1

Odds that Tiger will win The Masters if he plays: 5-2

Odds that Tiger will win The U.S. Open at Pebble Beach if he plays: 3-1

Odds that Tiger will win The British Open at St. Andrews: 3-1

Odds that Tiger will win The PGA: 5-2

Odds that Tiger will play in The Ryder Cup: 2-1

This year, the biggest difference is that Tiger Woods will not be playing. Because of all the scandalous accusations about infidelity going around about him, he has checked himself into a sex rehab and is taking a break from golf indefinitely.

Who knows how long he will be out of action, but in the meantime it offers some other up and coming golfers to strut their stuff.

The PGA Tour Honda Classic is a regular stop on the tour and has been around since the 1970s. The tournament always takes place in Florida on the Champion Golf Course.

The history of the course is quite interesting, as it was first built by George and Tom Fazio but later renovated by Jack Nicklaus. Jack added what is known as the “bear trap” on holes 15, 16, and 17. The whole tournament benefits the Nicklaus Children’s Healthcare Foundation, and is a prestigious stop on the tour. The course is ranked on the “top 100″ resorts in many different golf publications.

The tournament takes place from March 4-7 in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Last year’s tournament winner was Yang from Korea. He shot a two under 68 to end up one shot ahead of the competition. It was his first PGA tour victory and who knows, he may even repeat with another win this year.

The tournament was moved from its regular position on the tour schedule due to numerous mitigating factors, among them television contracts and the 2010 Winter Olympics.

The event kicks off with the FBR/Xerox pro-am which has attracted such notables as Alice Cooper, George Lopez and Ray Romano. The tournament is being hosted by The Thunderbirds, a local charitable organization founded in 1937.

The tournament purse is $6 million dollars and 500 FedEx points are at stake.

Last year’s winner, Kenny Perry, is currently ranked sixth in the Golfweek/Sagarin power rankings. Perry had to scramble to victory last year, as he won on the third hole of a playoff, and the field looks equally daunting this year.

Other golfers that have committed to this year’s tournament include Y.E. Yang and Anthony Kim.

Some of the sponsor’s exemption may draw some notice as well. The golfer who was granted the final sponsor’s exemption is Sam Saunders, the grandson of golf legend Arnold Palmer.

Also, Martin Kaymer has gotten the Commissioner’s foreign exemption, and he is currently ranked fifteenth in the Golfweek/Sagarin power rankings.

If the tournament holds to form from last year, the toughest hole to play will be number eleven and the easiest hole will be the thirteenth. Be sure to watch the tournament on the golf channel, as another desert shootout appears to be looming.

The favorite to win the championship this year is Steve Stricker. He is currently ranked No. 2 in the World Golf Championship rankings and #1 in the Power rankings. He is arguably the best golfer in the world without a major. He is facing stiff competition from both Phil Mickelson and Lee Westwood.

Although Tiger Woods won’t participate in this tournament, there are still big names playing this year to draw excitement and the crowds. However, many analysts and experts say that there is a chance Tiger Woods might decide to play as he is still eligible to compete in the tournament.

With names like Phil Mickelson, Lee Westwood, and Paul Casey attending, this tournament is sure to be an outstanding one for any golf lovers. Golf tournaments are known for upsets and amazing come backs and this might not disappoint in that category.

Joining all the celebrities will be such players like Davis Love III, Phil Mickelson, Sean O’Hair, and Mike Weir. It’s always a stong competitive field, and it’s always fun to team up with the celebrities and compete in the Pro-Am portion of the tournament. Mickelson is always a factor in the event as he has won it on multiple occasions. Rocco Mediate is a crowd favorite, and Padraig Harrington is making a commitment to playing more on the U.S. Tour and he will be in the mix at Pebble as well.

The celeb list is long and exciting. Bill Murray, Huey Lewis, and George Lopez are some of the regulars. Look out for Tom Brady, Ray Romano and Tony Romo. Romo can really play.

Will he or won’t he is the question many are asking. If Tiger Woods plays, and that’s a big if he will be 4-1 odds.

There is a big group right behind Tiger that will go off at 8-1 odds. In this group will be Phil Mickelson, Kenny Perry, and the defending champ Angel Cabrera. Will Cabrera be able to find the magic this year, and can Kenny Perry get back into contention?

Going off at 12-1 odds will be Steve Stricker, Jim Furyk, and Geoff Ogilvy.

Maybe worth a shot at 20-1 odds, you can consider giving Chad Campbell, Stephen Ames, and Paul Casey a look. Longer odds fall with Anthony Kim, Padraig Harrington, and Henrik Stenson.

Still a couple months to go before all the greats tee it up at Augusta. One thing is for sure, everyone will be trying to spot a Tiger. If he isn’t there, it’s anyone’s guess who will be the favorite.

Young Nick Watney is back to defend his title and he loves Torrey Pines. His will be a 20-1 favorite to win again this year. Watney is joined by Phil Mickelson who makes his 2010 debut at Torrey Pines. To say Mickelson loves Torrey Pines is an understatement. Mickelson has won here numerous times and is a 6-1 favorite.

Also in the strong field are Robert Allenby of Australia, Luke Donald, and John Rollins who all are 15-1 to win. Young American pros Hunter Mahan, Lucas Glover, and Ryan Palmer all could be factors at 18-1 odds.

Don’t forget about veteran Ernie Els, who is off to a good start in 2010. Els could be a good play 1t 25-1. A crowd favorite and wildcard pick this week at Torrey could be Rocco Mediate. Rocco loves the course and feels he has a score to settle with it. Rocco tees off at 40-1 odds, and that is just the way he likes it.

Former Masters Champ Zach Johnson is the defending champ. He fired a 5-under 65 on Sunday last year to beat a hard charging David Toms and a steady Adam Scott. The competition is expected to be as hot as the Hawaii weather when tournament play tees off January 14, with coverage on the Golf Channel.

Zach Johnson loves Hawaii and loves the course. He’s the defending champ and all eyes will be on Zach to see if he can repeat. Zach wants to start out 2010 like he did 2009. Odds 6-1

2009 Masters winner Angel Cabrera is in the field in Hawaii after not playing in this event last year. He is a good player in tough conditions and that might be good news in windy Hawaii. Odds 10-1

Stewart Cink won The Open Championship last summer, and that was a monkey off his back. He finished in a tie for 32nd last year in Hawaii. he had a good offseason and is a favorite any place he plays. Odds 10-1

PGA Champ Y.E. Yang is playing a full schedule early in 2010. He game suits Waialae fairly well. If he gets hot look out. Odds 15-1

The golf world now knows Lucas Glover. He has a big game as was demonstrated last year by winning The U.S. Open. He didn’t play The Sony last year, but he’s out to build on his success of 2009. Odds: 15-1

Playing on a sponsor’s exemption this year, John Daly reurns to Hawaii. He didn’t play last year because of suspension, but he’s been working hard on his game and his attitude. Odds: 50-1

1. The first thing that you need to do is have a proper setup. A faulty address position is the number one reason why so many golfers never really reach their full potential. Make sure that you practice your alignment and posture in order to produce solid golf shots. Remember, you always want to bend from the hips, and keep a good spine angle. With your alignment, you should always make sure that your shoulders, arms, and hips are aligned at the target.

2. The next thing that you must do is work on a proper takeaway. Most golfers take the club away too far to the inside, which will kill your golf swing. If you really want to see success, then practice taking the club away to the outside, away from your body. It also helps me to think “low and slow” during the backswing, because this helps with tempo, and it will help you too.

3. Another part of an easy golf swing system that you must master is the transition to the downswing. Most golfers go about it all wrong, because they start the downswing with their arms or shoulders. This leads to trying to overpower the golf ball, which only leads to a weak slice or pull hook. For a smooth transition you need to start the downswing by rotating your hips toward the target.

This will help you, and is an easy golf swing system that will show you how to shoot lower scores.

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Article Source: Matthew Lord