Thanks to his PODS Championship victory, Mark Calcavecchia has already pretty much locked up a spot in the Masters. But with this being the last week to qualify for the prestigious event, several players are sitting on the bubble and must come through this week in a World Golf Championships event. One is Mark Wilson, who won the Honda Classic the week before Calcavecchia’s victory and is ninth on the PGA Tour money list. The top 10 get invites, so a good performance this week is a must. On the world side, Charl Schwartzel has a much tougher road. The South African is 57th and needs to move into the top 50 in the World Rankings to qualify, especially in such a tough field.

This story continues below
Advertisement

 

(Courtesy photo)

Charl Schwartzel isn't so sure the Blue Monster is really all that scary.

Tiger Woods loves playing in big events — and this one, even though it has changed sites yearly, seems to be one of his favorites. He has won the former American Express Championship three years running, including two years ago at San Francisco’s Harding Park Golf Course. Combine that with his back-to-back wins at Doral before it became part of the WGC and the rest of the field could be in trouble.

If it seems like Annika Sorenstam has gotten off to a slow start this season, it’s because she hasn’t played much. The Swede has participated in just one of the four LPGA tournaments, finishing second in a playoff to Meagan Franchella two weeks ago. But the Kraft Nabisco Championship is on tap for next week, so her schedule is in full gear.

Doral: Is it really a monster?

Many are intimidated just by the thought of playing at Doral. Who wouldn’t be, especially with the thought of trying to conquer the Blue Monster? Charl Schwartzel is a bit skeptical. “I thought there was a lot more water on the course,” the South African said. “I had this thing of all 18 holes have got water on it. I wasn’t disappointed, but I was looking for water on the golf course.”

This week's tee times

PGA

  • EVENT: CA Championship 
  • WHEN: Today-Sunday
  • WHERE: Miami
  • COURSE: Doral Golf Resort & Spa, par 72
  • DEFENDING CHAMP: Tiger Woods

LPGA

  • EVENT: Safeway International
  • WHEN: Today-Sunday
  • WHERE: Superstition Mountain, Ariz.
  • COURSE: Superstition Mountain G&CC, par 72
  • DEFENDING CHAMP: Juli Inkster

CHAMPIONS

  • EVENT: Ginn Championship
  • WHEN: March 30-April 1
  • WHERE: Palm Coast, Fla.
  • COURSE: Conservatory at Hammock Beach
  • DEFENDING CHAMP: Tom Purtzer

NATIONWIDE

  • EVENT: Louisiana Open
  • WHEN: Today-Sunday
  • WHERE: Broussard, La.
  • COURSE: Le Triomphe Country Club, par 72
  • DEFENDING CHAMP: Johnson Wagner

EURO PGA

  • EVENT: Madeira Islands Open
  • WHEN: Today-Sunday
  • WHERE: Santo da Serra, Madeira Islands
  • COURSE: Santo da Serra Golf Club, par 72
  • DEFENDING CHAMP: Jean Van de Velde