PGA: Honda Classic hit hard by more compact scheduling as stars take a pass

PALM BEACH GARDENS, FLA.— Dustin Johnson, Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods are among the golfers who live in the vicinity of PGA National and may very well be home this weekend. They just won’t be playing at the Honda Classic.

The condensing of the PGA Tour schedule is forcing players to make some tough decisions, and the Honda Classic didn’t exactly benefit. Only three of the top 20 players in the world ranking are in the field for the event beginning Thursday — No. 3 and defending champion Justin Thomas, No. 4 Brooks Koepka and No. 9 Rickie Fowler.

Next up: No. 21 Webb Simpson and No. 23 Gary Woodland.

“There are a lot of guys who live down here,” said Woodland, who is one of the South Floridabased players who gets to sleep in his own bed this week. “But with tournaments moving around, there are a lot of tour- naments right now that are really good in a row. I skipped Riviera, which is one of my favourite golf courses, but you have to find the time.”

Last year at this time, the run of tournaments saw players deciding among Riviera one week, then the Honda Classic, then a World Golf Championship in Mexico, then Tampa, then Bay Hill, then another WGC for Match Play.

This year, it goes Riviera, Mexico, Honda, Bay Hill, The Players Championship, Tampa and then the WGC-Match Play.

“Nobody’s playing five in a row,” Honda Classic executive director Ken Kennerly said.

This isn’t an issue exclusive to the Honda Classic. Phil Mickelson skipped playing at Torrey Pines, his home course, this year for the first time in 29 seasons — and has hinted that he could sit out The Players Championship as well. Woodland loves Bay Hill but can’t fit it into his schedule this year.

“The field isn’t as strong as it typically is because of where it is right now on the schedule,” Woodland said. “It’s in a tough spot.”

Johnson hasn’t played the Honda Classic since missing the cut by eight shots in 2015, so his absence this week can’t be considered surprising.

Woods finished 12th last year at the Honda Classic, which he often calls his home event. McIlroy had appeared in nine times in the last 10 seasons.