Feb. 8, 2009
By PGATOUR.COM staff
The first group will soon tee off in today's final round of the Buick Invitational. Here's how it sets up:
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| Groups We're Watching |
1:35 pm ET
(10:35 am local) |
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John Rollins, Camilo Villegas, Nick Watney
Can Villegas bounce back after giving up the lead? Can Rollins keep on rolling to his third victory? Or can Watney upset them both at soggy Torrey Pines? Track 'em
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12:15 pm ET
(9:15 am local) |
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Phil Mickelson, Retief Goosen, Robert Garrigus
Mickelson needs a huge Sunday to salvage a disappointing week at home, while Goosen wants to finish strong in his first U.S. start of 2009. Track 'em |
11:45 am ET
(8:45 am local) |
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Bubba Watson, Lee Janzen, Aron Price
This early trio offers an intriguing contrast of styles between the awesome long game of Watson and the precision iron game of Janzen. Price can learn a lot. Track 'em |
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EXPERT PREVIEW: PGA TOUR Network on-site correspondent Brett Wright previews Sunday's final round:
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| Sunday's forecast |
Showers
Temp: 62/high/52 low
30 percent chance of showers throughout the day. Winds will blow from the south-southwest at 9 mph. |
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Tommy Gainey said in the third-round Starter that anyone who shot under par on the South Course in Round 3 would pass people. Tommy shot 1-over 73, and he passed a ton of people moving from 65th to 48th place. He still will not be paired with his boyhood idol Fred Couples, who is one shot better at 2 over.
Jason Gore told me on the 12th tee in Round 3 that his back only hurts at the top of his swing, at impact and when he walks. He said other than that, "I am fine." Jason struggled in the penultimate group but told me after the round he will be back with bells on. He is a warrior.
John Rollins has the tournament won if he can just continue to be aggresive and make birdies. The only one in his rear-view mirror is Camilo Villegas. The Torrey Pines South Course can, however, influence destiny with the now soft greens and juicy rough. A stray tee ball on Sunday will add to heartbreak, and the poa annua greens are bumpier than they have been all week. Its Rocket Rollins tournament to win; he controls his destiny, but watch for Nick Watney to shoot a low number lurking at 7 under. He has nothing to lose and is hitting the ball well.
| Stat of the day |
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The 54-hole leaders in each of the first four PGA TOUR events of 2009 have gone on to win. Can John Rollins make it five in a row? He has owned the 54-hole lead three times in his career and went on to lose a playoff at the 2003 Buick Classic, tie for fifth at Disney in 2003 and tie for 15th at the 2005 Deutsche Bank Championship. Mark Williams, PGA TOUR |
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| The Film Room |
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PGA TOUR Today
Win McMurry provides a recap of Saturday's third round and previews Sunday's final round at Torrey Pines, where the damp conditions could play a big role in the outcome. Watch it |
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Rollins is rollin'
After building a three-shot advantage on Saturday, John Rollins discussed his round and his plans for Sunday with Bob Stevens of Sirius XM Radio. Watch it |
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Can Camilo come back?
Camilo Villegas finally lost the lead on Saturday, but after his round, he explained that he knows what he has to do to rally for yet another victory. Watch it |
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