TOURNAMENT OVERVIEW
FEBRUARY 24-27, 2022
The Honda Classic Matt Jones finished off a great week of ballstriking at PGA National’s windswept Champion course with a final-round 68 that delivered his second PGA TOUR title at The Honda Classic. He won by five shots.
Location & Course Information
PGA NATIONAL RESORT & SPA (CHAMPION), PALM BEACH GARDENS, FLORIDA Originally designed by George and Tom Fazio in 1981, The Champion course at PGA National was redesigned by Jack Nicklaus in 1990 and again in 2014. With water in play on 16 holes and strategic bunkering, it is one of the sterner tests on the PGA TOUR. Yardage: 7,125; par 70
Notable Course Features
Quick Facts
Field: 132 players Format: 72 holes stroke play Purse: $8 million Winner’s Share: $1,440,000 FedExCup Points: 500 to the winner
Charity Benefit
HOW MATT JONES WON
The Honda Classic donated $5.1 million in 2021 to 100 South Florida philanthropic organizations, including $1.2 million to the Nicklaus Children’s Health Care Foundation.
LEADERBOARD 2021 Player
Pos
1
2
3
4
Total Score
FedExCup
Earnings
Matt Jones
1
61
70
69
68
268/-12
500
$1,260,000
Brandon Hagy
2
69
62
76
66
273/-7
300
$763,000
Media Coverage
Russell Henley
T3
64
69
73
68
274/-6
125
$320,600
NBC, GOLF, ESPN+, SXM
Denny McCarthy
T3
68
65
74
67
274/-6
125
$320,600
Social Media
@TheHondaClassic @thehondaclassic @thehondaclassic
146
CHECK THIS OUT Matt Jones’ 61 in the first round tied the tournament 18-hole record (Brian Harman/ R2/2012) and his three-stroke lead through 18 holes was the largest since 1987 (Mike Sullivan, four strokes). Jones’ five-stroke victory margin tied the tournament record (Jack Nicklaus/1977, Camilo Villegas/2010). Australia’s Jones was the 11th international winner of The Honda Classic since 2005. Brendan Steele (T3) finished in the top five for the second straight year, and has five top-15 finishes in his last six starts in the event.
Matt Jones shot 61 in the first round, led by three strokes through 54 holes, and shot 68 on Sunday to win by five strokes. Jones birdied two of the first three holes in the final round and stayed comfortably ahead as he offset three bogeys with three more birdies the rest of the way. Jones birdied four of the first five holes in the first round and birdied the last three for his 9-under 61. Jones ranked first in Strokes Gained: Tee-toGreen with 3.575 per round and second in Strokes Gained: Around the Green with 1.392 per round.
PGA TOUR ESSENTIAL GUIDE DECEMBER 2021 – MAY 2022
T39 Honda Classic.v2.indd 146
C.T. Pan
T3
67
72
65
70
274/-6
125
$320,600
Chase Seiffert
T3
67
74
69
64
274/-6
125
$320,600
Brendan Steele
T3
73
65
71
65
274/-6
125
$320,600
IMAGES: GETTY IMAGES
2021 Champion
Matt Jones, Australia
“That’s the best I’ve hit it from tee to green, ever. To be able to do it on this golf course is amazing.” – Matt Jones 21 20
The Champion course is known for a three-hole stretch nicknamed “The Bear Trap,” prominently featuring approaches over water. Water guards three sides of the green at the 179-yard 15th and again at the 175-yard 17th. On the 434-yard 16th, water runs the entire length of the hole on the right and must be carried with the second shot.
W W W.P GAT OUR.COM
22/12/2021 14:04