The Starter: Round 2, FBR Open at TPC Scottsdale

text size

Jan. 30, 2009
By PGATOUR.COM staff

The first group will soon tee off in today's second round of the FBR Open. Here's how it sets up:

Groups We're Watching

Tee time	Players
9:58 am (7:58 a.m. local)		Lucas Glover, Rocco Mediate, Luke Donald It'll be interesting to see what Glover can do to follow up his impressive 65. Track 'em
3:20 pm (1:20 pm local)		Jarrod Lyle, Webb Simpson, Rickie Fowler These are three young guys who could be future stars. Look out for Simpson: He opened with a 68.Track 'em
10:16 am (8:16 am local)		Zach Johnson, Justin Leonard, Phil Mickelson Johnson was even in Round 1, while Leonard was 1 under. Mickelson needs a great round to make the cut. Track 'em

EXPERT PREVIEW: PGA TOUR Network on-site correspondent Mark Carnevale previews Friday's second round:

No question, the golf course was the winner in Round 1. With 65 the lowest score for the day, players really struggled with the conditions. It was not really the weather conditions, but the condition of the golf course, which, by the way, is in perfect shape.

The fairways have been narrowed, and the greens are much more firm than I can remember back in my playing days. The players I watched were struggling with distance control on approach shots, and distance on putts. Putts rolled out much further than I have seen here before. We'll see if these guys can adjust in Round 2 and put up some low numbers.

Friday's forecast

Sunny
Temp: 75 high/46 low
Clear throughout the day with plenty of sunshine. Winds will come out of from the east-northeast at 9 mph.

Speaking of players who need a low number in Round 2, I was followed world No. 3 Phil Mickelson in the first round. Phil shot a 76 which included three unplayable shots. Pretty unusual for a guy who has won in Scottsdale twice, and four times in his debut tournament.

Phil's main problem was his struggles off the tee. He hit only three of 14 fairways. As I followed his group, the fans tried to pick him up, but it was not meant to be. Sometimes you just have a bad day, even for one of the best players in the world.

As the 1992 PGA TOUR Rookie of the Year, I pay close attention to the new rookies, every year on TOUR -- after all they have some pretty big shoes to fill.

One player who cannot be overlooked this year is Webb Simpson. What a start for the rookie. Two top 10s in his first two events. He tied for ninth at the Sony Open in Hawaii and tied for fifth at the Bob Hope Classic. Then, he throws a 68 on the board in Round 1 here. He commented in his interview after the round about staying in the moment. All I can say is if he stays in this moment much longer he may find himself in the winner's circle early on in his rookie season.

The weather is going to be good for Round 2. I'm putting my money on some pretty low scores. My advice to you is to do the same.

The one stat(s) you need to know

While it wasn't reflected by his 65, first-round co-leader James Nitties enjoyed marginal success off the tee and into the green. He hit just seven of 14 fairways and was 12-for-18 when it came to hitting greens.

The Film Room

	PGA TOUR Today Win McMurry provides a recap of the first round and previews the second round. Watch it
	Ben talks golf Super Bowl quarterback Ben Roethlisberger tells us who started him playing golf and how often he gets to play. Watch it
	Hot start in the desert David Berganio Jr. shot a first round 66 at the FBR Open in Scottsdale. Following his round he spoke with Fred Albers. Watch it

So far at TPC Scottsdale

Round	Leaders	Low round (par 71)	Key links
	Lucas Glover, James Nitties (-6)	65: Lucas Glover, James Nitties	Daily Wrap-Up \| Live Report Hoffman feature \| Notebook