Doral Should Be Declared A Major

I’ve read that a Major becomes a Major by virtue of the field that it attracts. If that’s so, then this upcoming week’s Ford Championship at Doral should be declared a Major—if only temporarily.

As it turns out, ten of the top twelve players in the world now plan to be there. Only Adam Scott and Colin Montgomerie are holdouts. It will have 17 of the top 20.

Woods is the defending champion. Last year, he shot a 66 to overcome a two shot deficit to take the crown from out of the hands of Phil Mickelson. It was a memorable tournament, and promises to be again.

But the tournament was also memorable for the controversy caused by Ford when it spent $600,000 to get Vijay Singh, Retief Goosen, Sergio Garcia and Padraig Harrington to a Monday outing at a nearby club. Critics said that it amounted to an appearance fee. While the outing wasn’t officially connected to the Ford Championship, and teh players were under no obligation to play in the Doral, it did look suspicious.