The Honda Classic Is Back This Month - Here's What To Expect

Author: Megha


The Honda Classic is coming back to its usual schedule of February, at the beginning of the Florida Swing of the PGA Tour. It hopes that the large crowds will also come back with this schedule. The restrictions due to the pandemic are not expected to impact the Honda Classic, which will take place at the PGA National Resort and Spa in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, from February 24 to 27. Only a fraction of the spectators were permitted daily in the previous year when the tournament was the last Florida stop. The tournament authorities hope to have record charitable donations and big crowds this year. Officials expect to see many new fans and the familiar faces that frequent the tournament every year. Over the past few years, any person who has resided in Palm Beach County has seen the number of residents grow in these parts because of the coronavirus pandemic.

 

Many new residents have only experienced the Honda Classic through their televisions. Now, they will get a chance to watch the event up close. The tournament gets back to the Champion course with completely developed structures. But it is also introducing some new features. This year, the event will have a double-deck build-up on the final hole of the Bear Trap. It will be utilized as a private hospitality location known as the Bear Trap Reserve. Ken Kennerly, Honda Classic executive director, said, “We have never felt the excitement and energy for the upcoming tournament that we currently do. While our new date should reflect an improved player field, I think the demand for our product is a testament to what we have built over the last 15 years. Many new families moving to our area only know the Honda Classic by reputation. Still, now they will get a chance to experience it. You’ve seen it in other events around the community – the interest to get out and do something fun is at the top of the minds for many people.”

 

Defending champ Matt Jones said, “The more, the merrier. It’s not the easiest golf hole. The people in Florida understand golf. As long as they are quiet and understand, we have no issues.” Chase Koepka said, “It was very unexpected, but I’m super thrilled to come back and try to have another good finish. I know the course very well, and it suits my game. It’s always great to play in a tournament with my brother. I can’t thank Mr. Kennerly enough.”

 

The Honda Classic Schedule

 

This PGA tour event will take place from February 24 to 27. See the entire schedule below.

  

Date

Events

Thu, Feb 17

6:00 – 9:00pm: The Honda Classic Kick-Off Party at PGA National

Mon, Feb 21

2:30 – 5:00pm: The Honda Classic Pro-Am (Champion Course)

Tue, Feb 22

All Day: PGA TOUR Professionals Practice Rounds (Champion Course)

11:00 – 12:00pm: Women’s Leadership Forum (Grand Ballroom)

11:00 – 12:00pm: Els for Autism “#GameON Autism” Golf Clinic (Champion Range)

4:00pm: First Tee Junior Golf Clinic (Champion Range)

6:00 – 10:00pm: The Honda Classic Cares Pro-Am presented by Tire Kingdom Draw Party (PGA National Resort British & Grand Ballroom)

Wed, Feb 23

All Day: The Honda Classic Cares Pro-Am presented by Tire Kingdom (Champion Course)

Thu, Feb 24

Pratt & Whitney Military Appreciation Day

7am: The Honda Classic – First Round Begins

6:00 – 9:30pm: After Play Concert Series (9 Terrace)

Fri, Feb 25

Jupiter Medical Center Healthcare Heroes Day

7am: The Honda Classic – Second Round Begins

6:00 – 9:30pm: After Play Concert Series presented by Jupiter Medical Center (9 Terrace)

7:30pm: Tire Kingdom Fireworks Spectacular

Sat, Feb 26

Tire Kingdom Family Day

9am: The Honda Classic – Third Round Begins

6:00 – 9:30pm: After Play Concert Series (9 Terrace)

7:30pm: Tire Kingdom Fireworks Spectacular

Sun, Feb 27

Play Yellow Day

9am: The Honda Classic – Final Round

6pm: Awards Ceremony – 18th Green

Mon, Feb 28

8:00am: Goslings Dark ‘n Stormy Invitational

1:00pm: The First Tee of the Palm Beaches Invitational

 

The Honda Classic Field

 

Compared to the previous editions, the Honda Classic will see a strong field this time around. Here are the players. 

  

Kiradech Aphibarnrat

Thailand


Paul Barjon

Dumbea, New Caledonia


Christiaan Bezuidenhout

South Africa


Joseph Bramlett

Las Vegas, NV


Wesley Bryan

Columbia, SC


Hayden Buckley

US


Bronson Burgoon

The Woodlands, TX


Kevin Chappell

Fresno, CA


Stewart Cink

Duluth, GA


Austin Cook

Jonesboro, AR


Joshua Creel

Cheyenne, WY


Luke Donald

England


Brett Drewitt

Inverell, Australia


Jason Dufner

Auburn, AL


Tyler Duncan

Columbus, IN


Harris English

Sea Island, GA


Tommy Fleetwood

England


Rickie Fowler

Murrieta, CA


Dylan Frittelli

Johannesburg, RSA


Brice Garnett

Gallatin, MO


Doug Ghim

Arlington Heights, IL


Michael Gligic

Kitchener, ON, CAN


Lucas Glover

Jupiter, FL


Emiliano Grillo

Argentina


Scott Gutschewski

US


Bill Haas

Greenville, SC


Chesson Hadley

Raleigh, NC


Brandon Hagy

Westlake Village, CA


Nick Hardy

Northbrook, IL


Brian Harman

St. Simons Island, GA


Padraig Harrington

Dublin, IRL


Jim Herman

Palm City, FL


Kramer Hickok

Dallas, TX


Garrick Higgo

Stellenbosch, RSA


Harry Higgs

Dallas, TX


Lee Hodges

Ardmore, AL


Nicolai Hojgaard

Denmark


Billy Horschel

Pointe Vedra Beach, FL


Charles Howell III

Windermere, FL


Mackenzie Hughes

Dundas, ON, CAN


John Huh

Dallas, TX


Sungjae Im

Jeju-Si, Jeju-do, KOR


Stephan Jaeger

Chattanooga, TN


Zach Johnson

Cedar Rapids, IA


Matt Jones

Sydney, AUS


Sung Kang

South Korea

Chris Kirk

Athens, GA


Kurt Kitayama

US


Brooks Koepka

West Palm Beach, FL


Chase Koepka

West Palm Beach, FL


Ben Kohles

Cary, NC


Kelly Kraft

Dallas, TX


Anirban Lahiri

Bangalore, IND


Andrew Landry

Austin, TX


Nate Lashley

Scottsdale, AZ


Hank Lebioda

Orlando, FL


K.H. Lee

Seoul, KOR


David Lipsky

Las Vegas, NV


Adam Long

St. Louis, MO


Davis Love III

Sea Island, GA


Justin Lower

Akron, OH


Shane Lowry

County Offaly, IRL


Denny McCarthy

Jupiter, FL


William McGirt

Spartanburg, SC


Max McGreevy

Edmond, OK


Keith Mitchell

Sea Island, GA


Ryan Moore

Las Vegas, NV


Taylor Moore

Edmond, OK


Alan Morin

Royal Palm Beach, FL


Trey Mullinax

Birmingham, AL


Grayson Murray

Raleigh, NC


Matthew NeSmith

Aiken, SC


Joaquin Niemann

Santiago, CHI


Seung-Yul Noh

Seoul, KOR


Alex Noren

Stockholm, SWE


Andrew Novak

Sea Island, GA


Louis Oosthuizen

Albertinia, W. Cape, RSA


Ryan Palmer

Colleyville, TX


C.T. Pan

Chinese Taipei


Taylor Pendrith

Richmond Hill, ON, CAN


Mito Pereira

Pirque, Chile


J.T. Poston

St. Simons Island, GA


Ian Poulter

Woburn, ENG


Aaron Rai

England


Chad Ramey

Fulton, MS


Chez Reavie

Scottsdale, AZ


Doc Redman

Raleigh, NC


Seth Reeves

Johns Creek, GA


Davis Riley

Hattiesburg, MS


Patrick Rodgers

Avon, IN


Justin Rose

London, England


Sam Ryder

Atlantic Beach, FL

Rory Sabbatini

Bratislava, SVK


Adam Schenk

Vincennes, IN


Matthias Schwab

Austria


Charl Schwartzel

Johannesburg, RSA


Greyson Sigg

Augusta, GA


David Skinns

Lincoln, England


Roger Sloan

Merritt, CAN


Alex Smalley

Rochester, NY


Austin Smotherman

Dallas, TX


J.J. Spaun

Los Angeles, CA


Scott Stallings

Oak Ridge, TN


Kyle Stanley

Gig Harbor, WA


Brendan Steele

Idyllwild, CA


Henrik Stenson

Gothenburg, SWE


Sepp Straka

Vestavia Hills, AL


Robert Streb

Shawnee, KS


Kevin Streelman

Wheaton, IL


Chris Stroud

Houston, TX


Brian Stuard

Jackson, MI


Adam Svensson

Surrey, B.C., CAN


Hudson Swafford

St. Simons Island, GA


Callum Tarren

England


Nick Taylor

Abbotsford, B.C., CAN


Sahith Theegala

Orange, CA


Curtis Thompson

Boynton Beach, FL


Michael Thompson

St. Simons Island, GA


Brendon Todd

Athens, GA


Martin Trainer

San Francisco, CA


Kevin Tway

Edmond, OK


Peter Uihlein

Jupiter, FL


Dawie van der Walt

Kingwood, TX


Jhonattan Vegas

Maturin, VEN


Jimmy Walker

Terrell Hills, TX


Matt Wallace

England


Nick Watney

Dixon, CA


Richy Werenski

Aiken, SC


Kyle Westmoreland

Lewisville, TX


Lee Westwood

Worksop, ENG


Vincent Whaley

Alpharetta, GA


Danny Willett

Sheffield, ENG


Jared Wolfe

Ponte Vedra Beach, FL


Matthew Wolff

Agoura Hills, CA


Gary Woodland

Topeka, KS


Brandon Wu

Scarsdale, NY


Dylan Wu

Medford, OR


Cameron Young

Scarborough, NY

 

Conclusion:

 

The Honda Classic was shifted to the late end of March in the previous year. Several of the top golfers on the world did not participate in the event because it was happening between The Players Championship and a couple of World Golf Championship events. The Honda Classic has made its comeback to the February schedule this season. It will take place once again in the Florida Swing. The tournament authorities hope that this adjustment will help improve the playing field, which was lacking in the previous years because of the schedule.


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