Since Tiger Woods won the first World Golf Championship event held at Doral in 2007, the 7,266 yard long Blue Monster course has been challenging the world's best golfers. The Cadillac Championship at Doral, is golf's last major tournament leading up to the Masters Tournament in Augusta, Georgia.
Justin Rose, the 2012 champion, will be back to defend his title against former champions like Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Ernie Els. Located several miles west of Miami International Airport, the course is one of the longest championship golf courses in the world. Players must not only deal with the lengthy holes, but there is water everywhere and plenty of sand traps that need to be avoided. On a blustery early March day, the wind can turn every shot into an adventure.
Fabulous Finishing Hole
Number 18, the finishing hole, is a long par 4 that has often decided the victor at Doral. Water runs along the entire left side of the fairway that doglegs to the left. A golfer can play it safe off the tee and avoid the chance of landing in the water by angling their drive toward the right side of the fairway. More aggressive players will aim closer to the left edge of the fairway, flirting with the water, for the chance to get fifty yards closer to the green.
Doral's New Owner
In June of 2012, the Doral Golf Resort & Spa was added to the inventory of hotels owned and operated under real estate mogul Donald Trump. Plans are in place for a $200 million update and upgrade to the Miami landmark facility. It was also recently announced that the World Golf Championships-Cadillac championship will be hosted at Doral for at least the next ten years as an agreement was signed between the parties through 2023.
This year's tournament was full of excitement. Golf fans got the opportunity to see some of the greatest golf stars from around the world, as Tiger Woods ready to regain his former number one ranking? Will Phil or Ernie be able to conquer the Blue Monster? If you cannot make it to the course, be sure to watch the action on the big screen.
