Players to watch at the Humana Challenge

The two weeks of paradise are over for the PGA Tour, as the Hawaii swing of the 2012 swing is behind us.

Our sites now turn to an event where after 47 years, has a new name. The once Bob Hope Classic is now the Humana Challenge.

The event received the new name and sponsors after signing an eight year deal with Humana and the William J. Clinton foundation, to help emphasize wellness.

A few changes have taken place with the new deal as well.

The tournament has been reduced to a regular format of 72 holes, instead of the 90 hole event it once was. And, there will be only three courses utilized for the event, for the first time in it's 47-year history.

Palmer Private PGA West, joined by Nicklaus Private and La Qunita Country Club. All par 72 courses.

This event is the second full field event of the 2012 PGA Tour season -- So lets look at a few players to keep an eye on this week in La Quinta, California.

Bill Haas

The reigning FedEx Cup champion has played this event seven times. He has made the cut in all seven appearances here, including five top-25 finishes.

The 2010 winner of this event, and nearly winning it again in back-to-back years. However lost in playoff last season.

The 30-year old North Carolina native is obviously, very comfortable playing in the desert.

Matt Kuchar

One of the most consistent players on Tour, Kuchar finished tied for seventh in La Quinta a year ago. Backing up a T2, 2010 finish at this event.

This will mark the first event in 2012 for the 33-year Sea Island resident, who had nine top-10 and 19 top-25 finishes a year ago.

Kuchar finished the 2011 season off ranking sixth in All Around Ranking.

Martin Laird

After finishing in solo second at the Hyundai Tournament of Champions, Lair comes into the Humana Challenge after taking a week off to enjoy Hawaii.

In 2011, the 30-year old Scotsman started the final round, two strokes off the lead. He did fade later in the round, but knows his way around the courses here in La Quinta.

Laird uses 'moving day'; Saturdays on the PGA Tour, to his advantage. In 2011, he ranked second overall in third round scoring average, with a 68.31.

And there we have it.

Three guys that could prove to be in the mix this week in La Quinta California at the newly-named, Humana Challenge.

The PGA Tour kicks off it's West Coast Swing for the 2012 season.