Thursday, February 25, 2016

Thompson Shines In Florida

Michael Thompson of the United States lines up a putt on the fourteenth green during the first round of the Honda Classic at PGA National Resort & Spa - Champions Course on February 25, 2016 in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. (Sam Greenwood/Getty Images North America)



by Roz Roberts III

The Honda Classic lived up to its well deserved reputation as a beast in round one.  The PGA National Champion course provided the highest scoring first round of the 2015/2016 season at slightly more than 2 1/4 shots over par.  Despite the difficult conditions, Michael Thompson shined as he posted a spectacular five under par 65 and is currently tied for first with Sergio Garcia.  Whether it's the Bermuda grass, the difficult conditions, or the course just fitting his eye, Michael seems to play well at the Honda Classic.

Michael bogeyed his second hole of the day but carded a bounce-back eagle on the third hole and his round got kicked into high gear.  He followed the eagle with another birdie and ultimately carded five birdies and the eagle against two bogeys.

Michael will look to keep the momentum going in round two when he tees off at 8:15am ET with playing partners Graham DeLaet and Morgan Hoffman.

Online Links

Leaderboard
Michael's Scorecard


Videos


Michael Thompson comments after Round 1 of The Honda Classic


Following his opening-round 65 at The Honda Classic 2016, Michael Thompson talks about how an eagle at the third hole jump started his round.

Michael Thompson tracks in a 30-footer for birdie at The Honda Classic


In the opening round of The Honda Classic 2016, Michael Thompson rolls in a 30-foot putt for birdie on the par-3 15th hole.

Michael Thompson holes 20-foot birdie putt at The Honda Classic



In the opening round of The Honda Classic 2016, Michael Thompson sinks his birdie putt from 20 feet on the par-4 9th hole.

Michael Thompson's approach sets up tap-in birdie at The Honda Classic



In the opening round of The Honda Classic 2016, Michael Thompson sends his 132-yard approach in tight setting up a short birdie putt on the par-4 8th hole.


Photos From Round One



Michael Thompson reacts to his 30 foot birdie putt on the 15th hole during the first round of the Honda Classic.

Michael Thompson of the United States chips to the eighteenth hole during the first round of the Honda Classic at PGA National Resort & Spa - Champions Course on February 25, 2016 in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. (Source: Sam Greenwood/Getty Images North America)




Michael Thompson of the United States hits his tee shot on the fifteenth hole during the first round of the Honda Classic at PGA National Resort & Spa - Champions Course on February 25, 2016 in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.  (Sam Greenwood/Getty Images North America)






Wednesday, February 24, 2016

PGA Switches Coasts

Michael Thompson of the United States during practice as a preview for the 2016 Honda Classic held on the PGA National Course at the PGA National Spa and Resort on February 23, 2016 in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.  (Source: David Cannon/Getty Images North America)

by Roz Roberts III

The PGA Tour has finished its West Coast Swing and moved to the Sunshine State of Florida.  This week's Honda Classic is a tournament Michael Thompson knows well.  He won this event in 2013 when he secured his first PGA Tour victory with a birdie on the final hole.

The Honda Classic has the strongest field of 2016 and is typically one of the toughest events of the year.  In fact, last year the Champion Course at PGA National Resort and Spa was the second highest scoring event last year, surpassed only by the US Open.  The course has water on 13 holes and the closing stretch known as the Bear Trap typically scores well over par.  If the wind blows, the course can be especially difficult.

Michael tees off from the first hole on Thursday at 1:15pm ET.  He is grouped with Graham DeLaet and Morgan Hoffman.

Online Links
Leaderboard
Michael's Scorecard





Wednesday, February 17, 2016

The Waiting Game


For Michael Thompson, the Northern Trust Open in Los Angeles has turned into a waiting game,  He is currently the second alternate hoping to get into the field but he won't know if he gets to tee off until Thursday.

The NTO is a smaller field event and the fact that Michael has to wait to see if he can get into the event is a function of his priority on the reshuffle list and how many fully exempt players enter each tournament.  After this week, the reshuffle list will be updated and Michael is currently going to drop to 18th (from 15th).

If Michael gets into the field at the Northern Trust Open, you will be able to follow his round with the following link.

Online Links
Leaderboard