Thrash Talk: Is Doral Worthy of the WGC?

[Thrash13]

On The Approach With Callaway Golf last night, Frank Nobilo and Alex Miceli were arguing whether or not The Blue Monster is a good course for a World Golf Championship event. I decided to break things down a little and give my take in this week's Thrash Talk. But first, let me know what you think and give reasons why.

And remember, be sure to read the entire article tomorrow morning.

[mybloodinvt]

i don't watch the golf channel so i have no clue what was said and by whom, but i've played the blue monster, and all the other tracks at doral (i grew up in miami), and the question should be, is the wgc good enough for doral. doral should be a regular tour event with a full field. and with two weeks left till the masters, to have a very short field event is a joke.

[georgep]

I've never played the course (only an "inspired by" Blue Monster hole in Myrtle Beach). But I think it's worthy of the WGC. The course has a great history on its side, and they have taken some steps to toughen it up recently (moving the 18th tee back to make the drive more difficult, for instance). The very low winning scores of late are kind of a downer. Basically, if the wind blows and the course dries out, it is a classic test.

As for the new slot two weeks before the Masters, it's not exactly a warmup type of course for Augusta (but why should the Tour schedule practice for the players anyway?). They certainly have the means to get their practice in. It is kind of a shame that with the WGC it means that players now have their last chance to make the Masters field three weeks before the event. I think the way it was, with the Players as the last chance to make the field, helped build up for the Masters.

[AMGfan]

Originally Posted by mybloodinvt

i don't watch the golf channel so i have no clue what was said and by whom, but i've played the blue monster, and all the other tracks at doral (i grew up in miami), and the question should be, is the wgc good enough for doral. doral should be a regular tour event with a full field. and with two weeks left till the masters, to have a very short field event is a joke.

I've got to agree with you 100%.

[SubPar]

The course is a real tough test. If it were a full field event there would have been a lot more balls in the water and even bigger scores. You know an 18th hole is scary when Tiger intentionally lays up off the tee to protect a 3 shot lead.

[Cleveland Gunmetal]

Why wouldn't it be. It's a classic course with a rich history with a famous signature hole. Probably one notch below the island green at TPC Sawgrass as far as fan recognition. There should be an annual event held there. Heck, grow the rough, speed up the greens and you could have a major championship here.

[chingali]

After the last event there was all done and dusted the guy atop the leaderboard was the world's number 1 player. Great courses have a way of filtering the best to the top.

[Ruari]

I think it's a shame the WGC events don;t go round the world, as they were intended. The original mission statement said something about taking world-class golf around the world. Wasn't Greg Norman who came up with the idea originally? He must be annoyed.