The Honda Classic and the Jack Nicklaus designed three hole stretch of 15, 16 and 17 at PGA National are synonymous, almost as famous as TPC Sawgrass’ island green 17th.

The TV commentators will talk constantly about this stretch of holes where water lurks dangerously on every shot and while most of us will have had enough of hearing about it by Sunday it does ensure a compelling finish to the tournament.

Honda is one of the longest standing sponsors on the PGA Tour and, like AT&T at Pebble Beach a couple of weeks ago, must be disappointed at the lack of star players turning out for this week’s event.

After every one of the world’s top-10 teed up at Riviera last week, not a single player from the top dozen will be in this week’s field.

RIGHT: Matt Jones will defend his title won in 2021 this week at The Honda Classic, the site of his second PGA Tour win. PHOTO: Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images.

Louis Oosthuizen at 13 is the highest ranked player and just 12 of the world’s top-50 are taking part.

For a sponsor that has been part of the Tour since 1982, that has to be less than satisfying.

DEFENDING CHAMPION: Australia’s Matt Jones captured his second Tour title in dramatic fashion here last year after a blistering opening round of nine-under 61 to match the course record. He went on to win by five shots, also matching a tournament record, with a 12-under total at one of the more difficult golf courses the Tour visits all year.

COURSE: There is no shortage of history to be found at PGA National’s Champion course, part of a 90-hole facility in Florida’s Palm Beach.

It played host to the 1983 Ryder Cup and 1987 PGA Championship and since 2007 has been home to this event.

The original Champion course was built in 1981 by Tom and George Fazio but in 1990 Jack Nicklaus undertook the first of two major redesigns with the second coming in 2002.

The present course bears little resemblance to the original which was purpose built for tournament play and proved too difficult for week-to-week golfers.

But while a somewhat less penal layout now, the course remains far from easy with the winning score since 2007 only breaching double digits under par on four occasions.

RELATED: So-called expert golf tips for this week

While the three hole stretch form 15-17 will grab the bulk of the attention this week the rest of the course hardly offers much of a reprieve.

Water is a constant theme and, unusually for a Tour venue, just four of the holes average under par for the week (and two of those are par-5s).

Demanding pin placements, tricky rough and deep bunkers make it a relentless test and the players who make it through all four rounds will leave exhausted on Sunday night.

PRIZEMONEY: US$8,000,000

After finishing runner-up to Joaquin Niemann last week, Cameron Young is among the players to watch this week at PGA National. PHOTO: Cliff Hawkins/Getty Images.

PLAYERS TO WATCH: With less stars in the field those who have turned up stand out a little more though neither of the two highest ranked – Louis Oosthuizen and Brooks Koepka – has a great record here.

Koepka was T2 two years ago but that is by far his best finish while Oosthuizen has never been better than T21 in six tries.

The door appears wide open for a surprise winner, possibly from the seemingly endless stream of young and impressive players currently populating the Tour.

Last week’s runner up Cameron Young seems a good bet to be in the conversation again this week as is Chile’s Mito Pereira.

Pereira is making his Honda debut, but he will be inspired by his countryman’s win last week and is playing decent golf himself after a T15 finish.

A young star of the past whose game has been less than stellar the past couple of years will also be in his comfort zone this week, former winner Rickie Fowler making his 13th start at The Honda Thursday.

Fowler lifted the trophy in 2017 but has three other top-10 finishes here including a runner-up in 2019.

He’s been in miserable form for much of this season and arrives on the back of a T55 result at Riviera but at this level of the game things can change quickly.

A familiar course with good memories might be just the spark he needs to get back to his best.

72-HOLE RECORD: 267 (-13, Camilo Villegas, 2010)

18-HOLE RECORD: 61 (Matt Jones, 2021 & Brian Harman, 2012)

PAST AUSSIE WINNERS: Stuart Appleby (1997), Adam Scott (2016) and Matt Jones (2021).

AUSTRALIANS IN THE FIELD: Brett Drewitt, Matt Jones and Lucas Herbert.

TV TIMES*
Round 1: Friday (Fox Sports 503 6am –10am)
Round 2: Saturday (Fox Sports 503 6am – 10am)
Round 3: Sunday (Fox Sports 503 5am – 10am)
Round 4: Monday (Fox Sports 503 5am – 10am)
*AEDT, check local guides