Groups we're watching: Viking Classic, Round 4

text size
Increase Text Size
Decrease Text Size
Email This Story Print This Story RSS
Sep. 21, 2008

All times are Central

groups1.jpg

Marc Turnesa, will MacKenzie
Tee time:
12:55 p.m.
Tee: No. 1
Total TOUR wins: 1
Why you should watch: Your two biggest reasons to watch this final pairing? One: Turnesa has led the field -- solo -- at the close of all three rounds so far this week and has to be salivating over the possibility of earning his first PGA TOUR win right now. Only 18 holes stand between the rookie and victory. Two: If it weren't for a rules infraction, which MacKenzie called on himself, that led to a two-shot penalty on the last hole of the day for the Carolina character, the lead would belong to him going into the final round and not Turnesa. Plus, MacKenzie had been near perfect before the third round with no bogeys recorded in the first two and what would have been only two in the third were it not for No. 18. There is only a two-shot difference between these guys, which should make for some competitive final-round play in Mississippi.

2008 stat comparison
Player Events played Cuts made 1st 2nd 3rd Top 10 Top 25 Scoring average
Marc Turnesa 23 10         2 71.55
Will MacKenzie 16 6       1 1 71.82
groups2.jpg

Bill Haas, Woody Austin
Tee time:
12:28 p.m.
Tee: No. 1
Total TOUR wins: 3
Why you should watch: The offspring of Champions Tour stalwart Jay Haas is looking for his first win on the PGA TOUR, and his performance this week suggests he's getting close. The younger Haas has recorded three straight rounds in the 60s, yesterday's being the lowest with a bogey-free 6-under 66. And the Haas name has had success in this tournament before: No, not daddy ... uncle. Jerry Haas played this event five times, recording three top-25 finishes -- his best was a tie for fifth in 1991. Sure, Bill is six strokes off the lead, but anything can happen on a Sunday. Also six stokes off the lead at 11 under is Austin. Probably bummed out not to be playing at Valhalla this week, expect this guy to make a big effort in Mississippi to overcome that. Everyone's favorite funnyman on TOUR hasn't had a 2007-esque season and has struggled a little this year. At 58th in the FedExCup standings, he won't be making an appearance at THE TOUR Championship next week, so this is his chance to breathe a little life back into his 2008.

2008 stat comparison
Player Events played Cuts made 1st 2nd 3rd Top 10 Top 25 Scoring average
Bill Haas 26 15       1 7 70.94
Woody Austin 25 19   1   4 8 71.69
groups3.jpg

Rory Sabbatini, Bo Van Pelt
Tee time:
12:19 p.m.
Tee: No. 1
Total TOUR wins: 4
Why you should watch: Just like Haas and Austin, these guys are at 11 under and not very likely to have a Sunday sensational enough to swoop in and steal the lead. But that doesn't mean they're not worth keeping an eye on. Sabbatini has had a rough year since opening strong with a solo 17th, a solo second and a tie for third at his first three '08 events. He won on the European Tour this year, but that won't be enough for this guy; he's going to want at least another top-10 finish under his belt on TOUR before he puts 2008 to bed. Van Pelt is still looking for his maiden victory and seems to shine in opposite events having tied for second earlier this year at the Puerto Rico Open presented by Banco Popular. Maybe this shy guy has a little more confidence about his game when the spotlight isn't quite so bright. He shot in the 60s in all three rounds this week with no bogeys in the first and only one in the third. If he can pull out another strong round, he might just bag himself a top-3 finish.

2008 stat comparison
Player Events played Cuts made 1st 2nd 3rd Top 10 Top 25 Scoring average
Rory Sabbatini 19 14   1 1 2 4 71.61
Bo Van Pelt 25 15   1   1 4 71.30
Email This Story   Print This Story   RSS   Bookmark and Share
SHOP.PGATOUR.COM

Get the best deals on the best equipment all at the SHOP.PGATOUR.COM.

TOP 100

TOP 100
© 1995-2008 PGA TOUR, Inc. | Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. All Rights Reserved. PGA TOUR, Champions Tour, Nationwide Tour and the swinging golfer logo are registered trademarks.
TurnerPGATOUR.com is part of the Turner Sports and Entertainment Digital Network