TEEING OFF

1 A new-look Florida swing. The Honda Classic kicks off the four Sunshine State tournaments at a new course: PGA National. It’s across the street from the Country Club at Mirasol, the Honda event’s home the last four years. The traditional swing starter at Doral will now end the stay in Florida and has received a bump in status to that of a World Golf Championships event.

2 New clubs in the hands of Ernie Els, who’s playing in the Johnnie Walker Classic in Thailand. Els and Titleist parted ways last week -- a year before his promotional deal was to expire.

3 Another tournament without Tiger Woods. He has played only seven rounds on the PGA Tour this season and isn’t entered in the Honda Classic. The next event he has announced he will play is the event at Doral, March 22-25 -- though he normally plays at Bay Hill in Orlando, which this year is March 15-18.

4 A first-time winner. Five of the last 11 Honda Classic champions were first-time winners. Rookie Jeff Quinney, with four consecutive top-10s this season, is a solid prospect in this category.

5 Nothing -- at least on the LPGA and Champions Tours. Both are taking the week off. The LPGA will be back next week in Mexico, where Annika Sorenstam will make her 2007 debut. The Champions Tour returns next week at Newport Beach Country Club.

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--PETER YOON