Round 3, Verizon Heritage

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Apr. 18, 2009
By PGATOUR.COM staff

The first groups are ready to tee off in today's third round of the Verizon Heritage. Here's how it sets up:

Groups We're Watching

	Aaron Baddeley, Justin Leonard Baddeley had a 38 on the front nine Thursday, and a 32 there Friday. Another hot start could put him in the thick of things. Tee time: 9:52 a.m. ET. Track 'em
	Tom Lehman, Charley Hoffman Lehman might be heading for the Champions Tour but he's been rock-solid so far, with five birdies and only two bogeys. Tee time: 12:37 p.m. ET. Track 'em
	Brian Gay, Todd Hamilton Gay is playing great, but Hamilton is the story here. The 2004 British Open champ could be saving his career this month. Tee time: 1:40 pm ET. Track 'em

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

Saturday's forecast

Sunny
Temp: 74 high/57 low
It will be sunny throughout the third round, with winds coming out of the east at 5 to 10 mph.

Well, after a night of listening to some great "beach music," I know I'm going to put on my seat belt for the wild ride we're going to have in the third round. As expected, it is tight going into the weekend as 11 players are within five shots of the lead. Expect similar conditions for Saturday -- sunny skies, nice temperatures and the wind will pick up in the afternoon.

Don't be surprised if someone early shoots a low round and get up near the lead before the leaders even tee off. As I look toward the third round, it seems age may be a factor as we head into the final 36, with those who are older being wiser. A total of 10 players inside the top 20 at the halfway point are 40 or older. Experience is important here, and it will come in handy the rest of the way.

I followed Todd Hamilton and Brian Gay during the second round, and there were a couple of interesting things I would like to point out. Gay has only made one bogey through 36 holes, at the par-4 10 in the second round, and Hamilton used only one ball for his entire second-round 66. I asked his caddie why, and he said it was because Hamilton didn't do anything wrong with that one ball. If Hamilton keeps that up, he might be able to give away a bunch of balls to his buddies come Sunday night.

Rory Sabbatini sits four shots back. Watch him in the third round -- he likes to shoot it low, and is not afraid to shoot low. You golfers out there know what I mean. Someone might just be able to separate themselves from the field in Round 3, making for a very relaxing final round come Sunday.

Stat of the day

Brian Gay birdied five consecutive holes (Nos. 4-8) Friday on his way to a 5-under 66 and his one-stroke lead over Todd Hamilton. It was the best birdie streak at the tournament since Boo Weekley birdied the same five holes in Round 3 last year.

NEWSWORTHY NUGGETS
• This is the 13th straight year that the Verizon Heritage has produced an outright second-round leader. The last time there were co-leaders through 36 holes was in 1996, when Jeff Sluman and Tom Watson shared the lead at 6 under. In the 41-year history of the event, there have been co-leaders after two rounds just 11 times.

• Tommy Armour III posted a hole-in-one on the 163-yard seventh hole with an 8-iron. It represents the fourth ace of his PGA TOUR career (1990 Independent Insurance Agent Open, 1991 Centel Western Open, 1997 Greater Vancouver Open).

• Lee Janzen joined in on the fun with a hole-in-one on the par-3 17th hole, holing an 8-iron from 176 yards. The ace was the 16th overall at the Verizon Heritage and the 15th on PGA TOUR in 2009.

• Defending champion Boo Weekley posted a 1-over 72 Friday that represents his first over-par effort in 10 rounds at Harbour Town. Things could have been worse for Weekley, as he made the turn at 4-over 40 and stood at 2 over for the tournament through 27 holes. He birdied three holes on the back nine to get back in the thick of things.

Thus far at Harbour Town

Round	Leader	Low round (par 71)	Key links
	Alex Cejka (-7)	64: Alex Cejka	Daily Wrap-Up \| Live Report Stan Awtrey column \| Notebook
	Brian Gay (-9)	66: Brian Gay, Todd Hamilton, Scott Verplank	Daily Wrap-Up \| Live Report Stan Awtrey column \| Notebook

The Film Room

	PGA TOUR Today Win McMurry updates action from the second round of the 2009 Verizon Heritage and previews what to watch for in the third round. Watch it
	Shot of the day Lee Janzen aces the par-3 17th hole during round 2 of the 2009 Verizon Heritage. Watch it
	Second-round highlights Brian Gay shot a 5-under par 66 and has the lead going into the weekend at the 2009 Verizon Heritage. Watch it