Honda Classic has PGA Tour’s big names, but don’t count out last year’s champion

There are plenty of big names competing in this week’s Honda Classic that starts Thursday at PGA National Resort & Spa.

Try world No. 3 Brooks Koepka, winner of four majors. Or take a gander at Rickie Fowler, a fan favorite with his hard-charging, risky style of play and head-down determination. Then there’s Justin Rose and Gary Woodland, both major winners.

Those are big names making big shots that hackers everywhere envy.

So, who is this guy Keith Mitchell nobody seems to know anything about?

How quickly people can forget.

The self-admittedly little-known Mitchell, 28, is the Honda Classic’s returning champion as he edged out both Koepka and Fowler by a stroke when he calmly rolled in a 15-foot putt on the 18th and final hole of last year’s tournament.

And Mitchell said he’s ready to make history repeat — at least he hopes he’s ready.

“Last year, it was a dream come true,” Mitchell said of his first PGA Tour triumph and also his first win as a professional. “It’s what we work for our whole lives, to try and win on the PGA Tour.

“It is really fun to be back here, and now it’s business trying to get the same thing, trying to get the trophy again. It has been nice, and I don’t want anybody else taking my trophy from me.”

Mitchell even tried to recreate the memory of a year ago.

During a practice session recently, he came to the 18th green and thought about the winning 15-foot putt a year ago.

“I actually went back and tried to hit that putt again . . . so that was fun,” he said.

Mitchell did not confirm what happened on his duplication putt, just saying he could not pinpoint the exact spot the ball was at on the green.

What effect did last year’s Honda victory have on Mitchell, other than make him an instant millionaire?

“You know, it let me know that I could play with those guys, but it also made me want it more,” he said. “Once you do that one time, it’s something you want to do every week.”

Mitchell said beating Koepka and Fowler in a clutch situation “boosted my confidence considerably.”

Even with that extra confidence, Mitchell said there is a lot of work remaining to be done.

He knows that starting Thursday he will be taking on the game’s best, led by Koepka with his four major titles.

Mitchell’s major record?

While Koepka has won four majors, Mitchell has to be satisfied with four appearances in majors. And those results have been less than impressive for Mitchell, finishing 43rd in the Masters and missing the cut in three other majors.

“I’ve still got a lot of work to do to be consistent with those guys,” Mitchell said. “I mean, Brooks and Rickie are consistently at the top every week. There’s work to do to stay up with those guys.”

That work will start Thursday.

And maybe, just maybe, if he does repeat as Honda champion, nobody will look puzzled when they hear his name.

HONDA CLASSIC

When: Thursday through Sunday.

Where: PGA National Resort & Spa in Palm Beach Gardens.

Television: Thursday — 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., Golf Channel; Friday — 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., Golf Channel; Saturday — 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Golf Channel; 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., NBC; Sunday — 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Golf Channel; 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., NBC.

Defending champion: Keith Mitchell (68-66-70-67, 9-under 271 to win $1,224,000).

2020 purse: $7,000,000 with $1,260,000 to the winner.