TOUR PREVIEW:THE PGA Tour are searching for a new sponsor for the World Golf Championship event at Doral after software company CA chose not to extend their deal.
The business software company said in a joint statement with the PGA Tour that they were ending their backing of the event which was won on Sunday by South African Ernie Els.
PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem said he hoped to find a new backer for the tournament, which is one of four annual events making up the World Golf Championships.
At Innisbrook, where the Transitions tournament takes place this week, all the talk may be about Tiger Woods returning at The Masters, but for Justin Rose it is a case of trying to get to Augusta.
A closing 64 at the Honda Classic two weeks ago lifted him to third place, his best finish in America since June 2008.
Now Rose stands 59th in the world, with the leading 50 on Monday week qualifying for the opening major of the season – a tournament more eagerly awaited than ever because Woods will be there.
Pádraig Harrington plays at Innisbrook after a disappointing final round of 72 at Doral that left him joint third but the Dubliner had other things on his mind yesterday.
While others were practising Harrington was off to Washington for a St Patrick’s Day dinner at the White House, where the guest list was headed by President Barack Obama and Taoiseach Brian Cowen.
Asked if it was a black tie affair, Harrington said: “I’ll be wearing a green one!”
At the Hassan Trophy in Morocco Paul McGinley is playing his first tournament since November. The 43-year-old has had a sixth operation on his left knee and only now is able to play again.
He is joined in the field by fellow Irishmen Michael Hoey, Darren Clarke, Shane Lowry, Damien McGrane, Gareth Maybin and Peter Lawrie.
Hassan Trophy
Course: Royal Golf Dar Es Salam, Rabat.
Length: Red course, 7,343, par 73; Blue 6,788, par 72.
Prizemoney: €1.37 million, €229,000 to the winner.
Field: 104.
First played: First time as official tour event.
On TV: Sky Sports 1 12.30-4.30pm.
Weather: Sunny and dry with a chance of showers on Sunday
Transitions
Course: Copperhead at Innisbrook Resort.
Length: 7,340 yards. Par: 71.
Prizemoney: €3.93 million, €700,000 for the winner
Field: 144.
Defending champion: Retief Goosen
First played: 2000.
Most wins: Retief Goosen (2)
On TV: Sky Sports 2, 7.0-10.0pm.
Weather: Mainly dry, average temperatures around 200C.
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