PGA Preview: 2012 Humana Challenge

The PGA Tour has reached the mainland after spending the first two weeks in Hawaii.  This week the tour is in Palm Springs for the Humana Challenge.  Most people know this tournament by its old name, the Bob Hope Classic.  The tournament has been revamped with new host Bill Clinton taking the place of Bob Hope. In The Field This week's field is the most start studded so far this season.  Phil Mickelson should be the favorite coming into this week, for his first start of 2012.  Phil has won this tournament twice and has won more prize money in this event than any other player. Bomber Dustin Johnson had off season knee surgery and is said to be back to 100%.  He has the length to destroy the host courses, if he can keep it accurate enough.  Plus Johnson has reunited with his old caddy Bobby Brown. FedEx Cup winner Bill Haas won the tournament in 2010 and should have won it in 2011 but lost in a playoff. Another super consistent player who should have a great chance to notch a victory this week is Matt Kuchar.  This week marks Kuchar's first start in 2012. The featured group to watch the first two days is Anthony Kim with Camilo Villegas.  Neither player has played up to his potential in the last 1-2 years though. Greg Norman is friends with Bill Clinton and will be in the field this week.  Don't expect him to contend and I doubt he'll make the cut. Once again our primary rookie to watch is Bud Cauley. Courses The Humana Challenge is contested on THREE resort courses in the Palm Springs area. The first and host course is the PGA West Palmer Private course, obviously designed by the King, Arnold Palmer.  Opened in 1986, the par-72 Palmer Private course sits against the Santa Rosa Mountains measures out at 6,930 yards and is rated at 74.6.  Despite the high rating, expect to see low scores. The final par-5 finishing hole presents a chance for players to go for it in two and try to make eagle, but sand and water await poorly struck aggressive shots. The 2nd course is La Quinta Country Club which opened in 1959.  La Quinta CC is a par-72 as well, measuring out at 7,060 yards for the tournament.  This course is probably a bit tougher than the Palmer, lined with mature palm and many other kinds of trees such as banana and olive trees. Last but not least in the course rotation is the Nicklaus Private Course.  The Nicklaus course has been in the rotation of this tournament since 2009.  This desert target style course can have some teeth to it, with a slope rating of 146.  If you're not familiar with slope rating, that is quite a high number.  The course tips out at 6,951 yards and has a stroke average of 74.3. TV All broadcast times are on Golf Channel THU: 3PM-6PM ET FRI: 3PM-6PM ET SAT: 4PM-7PM ET SUN: 4PM-7PM ET