Watered-Down Honda Field Led By Im and Mitchell
Saturday, March 2, 2019

      Another field lacking in substantial star power has the Honda Classic in position for low weekend TV ratings - again. The 36-hole leader board points that out in spades - Sungjae Im and Keith Mitchell tied at the top at 6 under, Luca Glover next at 5 under, and nine others deadlocked for fourth at 4 under with Brooks Koepka (67-69-136) the only marquee player. 

    Sergio Garcia is tied for 13th at 3 under, but that's just about it near the top. Defending champ Justin Thomas fell off to a 74 after an opening 68 and barely made it through to the weekend at 2 over par, the cut line. First-round leader Jhonattan Vegas also fell by the wayside with 64-73-137, 3 under. 

    The Honda comes after two weeks in Hawaii and six more in Mexico and out west, and maybe the logistics of travel, and the purse of $6.8 million, have something to do with it. Next week's Arnold Palmer Invitational gives players a greater chance to recover from jet lag, and has a purse of $9.1 million. Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Jason Day, Bryson DeChambeau, Justin Rose, Henrik Stenson, Rory McIlroy, Hideki Matsuyama et al are returning for the tournament in Windermere. And, Ted Potter.  

    Back at Palm Beach Gardens, Gator Billy Horschel is tied for 22nd at 2 under with 67-71-138, and Brian Gay is 1 over at 141 (71-70). Seminole Daniel Berger is tied for 32nd (72-67-139) and rookie Hank Lebioda continues to impress. He's at 1 over (67-74-141).     

       

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