Rory McIlroy, the top-ranked player in the world, suffered a first-round loss at that event and followed with last week's surprising and sudden mid-round withdrawal at the Honda Classic. The defending champ walked off the course midway through his Friday round after a pair of bogeys, a double bogey and a triple bogey in his first eight holes, later citing a sore wisdom tooth as the cause.
The 23-year-old McIlroy, who is scheduled to be at TPC Blue Monster at Doral this week, will hold a press conference Tuesday to address last week's withdrawal and his wisdom tooth issue.
Tiger Woods, looking to improve on a tie for 37th at the Honda Classic, and defending champion Justin Rose headline a field that brings together the top players in the world. Last year, Rose erased a 3-shot deficit and overtook Bubba Watson to capture his first WGC title.
Michael Thompson will make his first World Golf Championships start this week courtesy of his maiden PGA Tour victory at the Honda Classic. Geoff Ogilvy used a late charge at that event to finish second and secure a place in this week's field.
Golf Channel will have coverage all four days. Their coverage on Saturday and Sunday will be early, before they hand off to NBC for the rest of the round.
PGA TOUR
PUERTO RICO OPEN, Trump International Golf Course, Rio Grande, Puerto Rico - The PGA Tour players not competing in the WGC - Cadillac Championship will be in Rio Grande for the Puerto Rico Open.
Defending champion George McNeill and two-time winner Michael Bradley will be on hand at Trump International Golf Course. K.J. Choi and Charlie Beljan, ranked Nos. 65 and 67 in the world, respectively, are also in the field.
Last year, McNeill closed with three straight birdies en route to a final- round 3-under 69 and charged past Japan's Ryo Ishikawa to secure his first victory since winning the 2007 Frys.com Open in Las Vegas.
Golf Channel will have coverage all four days.
Next week, the PGA Tour continues its Florida swing at the Tampa Bay Championship, which Luke Donald won in a playoff last year.
WEB.COM TOUR
CHILE CLASSIC, Prince of Wales Country Club, Santiago, Chile - The Web.com Tour remains in South America this week for the Chile Classic.
Last year, Paul Haley II carded a 1-under 71 on the final day to hold on for a 3-stroke victory, his first on the Web.com Tour. Haley had started the final round with a staggering 6-shot advantage, but Joseph Bramlett made a late charge and finished three shots back.
Haley will not be on hand to defend his title, as he will be competing in the PGA Tour's Puerto Rico Open.
There is no television this week.
The Web.com tour is off next week before moving back to the U.S. on March 21 for the Chitimacha Louisiana Open, where Casey Wittenberg won by eight strokes last year.
