Justin Rose aims for WGC Cadillac Championship double
Justin Rose is bidding to do the double at the Doral this week when he tees off in the WGC Cadillac Championship.
The defending champion is aiming to emulate Tiger Woods as he seeks back-to-back wins at TPC Blue Monster.
“It definitely feels good to be back here at Doral. Great memories, biggest tournament win of my career,” said the world number five, who comes here off the back of a tied fourth place finish at last week’s Honda Classic.
For Rose, however, it will be a very different course from the one on which he made his WGC breakthrough last year as the layout has gone through something of an overhaul in the last 12 months.
“It’s got some great holes, and some iconic holes like the 18th hole; and by all accounts that 18th hole will not change significantly,” said the Englishman.
“I think it needs to maybe get back to living up to its reputation as the Blue Monster. It’s been fairly low scoring here the last few years, and I think a revamp is going to certainly do it some good.”
Also in the hunt this week is six-time winner Woods, who has dominated the golf tournament since his victory in the inaugural edition back in 1999.
Another former champion, Ernie Els is pleased to be back at the venue that sparked a revival in the Big Easy’s career when he won three years ago.
“My win here in 2010 was a big one for me. I went on and won my next event after that and it really got me going again and believing in myself,” said the 43-year-old South African.
Els is one of seven South Africans in the 66-strong elite field that includes former Masters champion Charl Schwartzel, the in-form Richard Sterne and debutant George Coetzee.
Other players making the first appearance in the $8.75 million tournament include Jamie Donaldson of Wales and the Scottish duo of Stephen Gallacher and Scott Jamieson.
Won last year by George McNeill, the event features many familiar names, as well as some less famous ones from the Web.com Tour.
Bryce Modler, Kevin Stadler, John Rollins, Jeff Overton and Graham DeLaet are all gunning for the title.