British hopes will be high when the world’s top golfer’s tee off in the WGC Cadillac Championship in Florida.
The Doral Spa and Golf Resort plays host the second WGC event of the year, with Europeans occupying six of the top ten world ranking spots.
Current world number one Martin Kaymer is the only non-Brit in the pack, but boasts a PGA Tour Championship triumph in 2010 to his name.
The German also won the Race to Dubai on his way to capturing four titles last year.
He was beaten by Luke Donald in the final of the WGC Accenture Match Play Championship in February.
But Kaymer still became number one by virtue of his second place finish in Arizona.
Donald was named European Golfer of the Month following his victory, and moved to number three – behind fellow Englishman Lee Westwood.
“There are only two players ranked higher than me in the world right now,” said Donald.
“That’s pretty amazing to think about!”
Westwood, who ended Tiger Woods’ amazing 281 week stranglehold on the top spot, could have recaptured his position at Honda Classic in Florida.
A top three finish would have seen Kaymer’s one week reign ended in his absence, but the Nottingham man could only manage a tie for 29th.
He has his sights set on Augusta in April, when he will be looking to go one better than last year’s runner-up position.
Phil Mickelson took the green jacket at The Masters last year to leave Westwood still without the elusive Major title he desperately longs for.
The four-time major champion is sixth in the rankings behind Tiger Woods, who has dropped down to fifth and is without victory since his return.
US Open champion Graeme McDowell is ranked fourth and will be looking to build on his top ten finish at the Honda Classic.
The Northern Irishman carded six birdies in a bogey-free closing round of 64 in Florida as he too looks to gain momentum going into The Masters.
He has been paired with the American duo of Mickelson and Woods.
“It’s going to be great for the next two days,” admitted McDowell.
“It’s a fantastic draw - sometimes it can be difficult to have the same level of intensity on Thursday at a tournament that you’d have on a Sunday.
“But I think playing with Tiger and Phil will do that for me this week."
Paul Casey and G-Mac’s compatriot Rory McIlroy hold seventh and eighth, with Steve Stricker and Matt Kuchar round off the top ten in ninth and tenth respectively.
Ernie Els returns to defend the title he won at The Blue Monster in Doral last year.
He beat his countryman Charl Schwartzel by four strokes to be crowned champion, marking his second triumph in this tournament.
The South African was victorious in 2004 in Thomastown, Ireland – back when it was named the WGC American Express Championship.
However, there was bad news when Bubba Watson was forced to withdraw from the tournament.
The American said he has been feeling ill, and was low on energy when practising earlier this week.
It will be a blow for the home crowd, as Watson is one of the longest hitters on tour and one of the hottest players at the moment.
Syd Mathis, Santee South Carolina around 1 year, 2 months ago