Fowler commits to Honda Classic
Tournament will now feature six of top 15 golfers in world.
PALM BEACH GARDENS — Jupiter resident Rickie Fowler, the world’s 14th-ranked golfer, has announced he will play in the Honda Classic, giving next week’s PGA Tour event at PGA National six of the top 15 players in the world.
Other top-15 entrants previously announced include defending champion Adam Scott, who is ranked No. 7, as well as No. 8 Justin Thomas, No. 9 Sergio Garcia, No. 12 Justin Rose and No. 13 Danny Willett, who will defend his 2016 Masters championship at Augusta National in April.
Garcia, who fifinished second to Scott a year ago, is coming offff a victory in the Dubai Desert Classic while Rose won the gold medal in the Olympics last summer in Brazil.
Honda executive director Ken Kennerly also announced No. 19 Tyrrell Hatton, who has fifive top10 fifinishes in his last 18 events, tops his unrestricted sponsors exemptions.
That list also includes No. 29 Matthew Fitzpatrick, the 2013 U.S. Amateur champion, No. 47 Thomas Pieters, and No. 50 Martin Kaymer.
Former champions Camilo Villegas (2010) and Mark Wilson (2007) picked up restricted exemptions while Bryson DeChambeau, who won both the NCAA Championship and U. S. Amateur last year, got a Web.com Q School exemption.
The Honda Classic Kickoffff Party is from 7-10 p.m. today at the Gardens Mall. The public is invited for a $50 contribution to the Honda Cares charity.