Round 2, Shell Houston Open

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Apr. 4, 2009
By PGATOUR.COM staff

Second-round play in the Shell Houston Open is set to resume at 7:30 a.m. local time. Here's how it sets up:

Groups We're Watching

Tee time	Players
8:25 a.m. No. 1		Phil Mickelson, Justin Leonard, Charles Howell III After a shocking first-round 77, Mickelson needs an absolutely huge Saturday to make the cut. Can he do it? Track 'em
8:05 a.m. No. 1		Lee Westwood, Alex Cejka, John Mallinger Westwood rolled in the wind Thursday then cooled off when it died down. Can he breeze back up the board? Track 'em
Through 13 holes		Vijay Singh, Sergio Garcia, Henrik Stenson Stenson was 5 under through 13 holes of his second round when the horn sounded. He's got time to lead after Round 2. Track 'em

EXPERT PREVIEW: PGA TOUR Network on-site correspondent Brett Wright discusses Friday's play and looks ahead:

One of the hot players on the course in the first round played on Friday was 26-year-old Nicholas Thompson. Thompson had the putter working with nine one-putt greens and cashed in for eight birdies offset by one bogey for an opening 7-under 65. Thompson was immediately whisked away from the scoring trailer, direct to the 10th tee to start his second round. Not a stop at the clubhouse for a beverage or to change shirts, as they were pressed for time to get back under way.

I shared the long ride over to the tee with Thompson to get the post round interview for the PGA TOUR Network. After the interview I asked Thompson what he was going to do next week? He said, "I'll be playing I hope."

Saturday's forecast

Mostly cloudy
Temp: 81 high/65 low
The skies will be mostly cloudy, with winds blowing in from the south-southeast and reaching 20 mph as the afternoon wears on.

He and I both knew that meant he must win to gain a spot in the field at Augusta National. He is hitting the ball good enough to win, if the putter will stay hot, he might need to find a big house next week quick for family and friends.

Augusta native Vaughn Taylor is keeping his bid alive for a Masters invitation by opening with a 67, and finds himself 5 under with one hole left to play in the second round. The other Augusta hometown product, Charles Howell III, is 1 under and will tee off in his second round at 8:25 a.m. on Saturday.

The projected cut line is at even par and currently that would leave Luke Donald, Davis Love III, David Toms and Andres Romero on the outside looking in.

The golf course was less difficult in the early part of Friday, no wind, soft and true greens gave many players a nice ride. The players on the course later in the day experienced increased wind and firmer greens. The greens this week are so fast that an aggressive birdie putt can quickly turn into a treacherous par putt. After a few of those, confidence starts to take some hits. Watch for the hot putter to emerge over the weekend. D.A. Points is currently leading the field in putting. It is no coincidence that he is in the top 10 at 6 under.

Stat of the day

John Senden leads the 2009 PGA TOUR in holes without a three-putt. He's up to 251 holes this season through his 10 holes on Friday and, obviously, he has yet to record a three-putt this week.

NOTEWORTHY NUGGETS:
• Geoff Ogilvy started his second round with birdies on seven of his first nine holes, pushing his score to 11 under par. After making the turn, Ogilvy double bogeyed No. 2 and bogeyed No. 4 to put him in a tie with Paul Casey and John Senden as play was suspended.

• Ogilvy leads the 2009 PGA TOUR in putting average with 1.678 putts per hole. Ogilvy also leads in birdie conversion at 39.18%, meaning that when Ogilvy hits a green in regulation, he has converted into a birdie nearly 40% of the time this year. With a birdie conversion rate of 39.18%, he leads No. 2-ranked Phil Mickelson (37.81%) and No. 3-ranked Charley Hoffman (36.41%).

• Fred Couples is looking to make his 16th consecutive cut at the Shell Houston Open, which would be one less than the tournament record of 17 held by Jimmy Demaret. Couples finished the first round at 4 under par and is scheduled to tee off in the second round at 8:45 a.m. on Saturday.

• Should overnight clubhouse leader Paul Casey hold or share the lead after all players have finished their second rounds, it would mark the first time that he has held or shared a 36-hole lead on the PGA TOUR. His best standing through two rounds is a tie for second at the 2007 Arnold Palmer Invitational, where he finished tied for 14th.

Thus far at Redstone

Round	Leader	Low round (par 72)	Key links
	John Senden, Briny Baird, Nicholas Thompson (-7)	65: Senden, Baird, Thompson	Daily Wrap-Up \| Live Report Hauser column \| Notebook

The Film Room

	PGA TOUR Today Win McMurry updates action from Friday at the 2009 Shell Houston Open and previews what to watch for Saturday. Watch it
	Defending champ reflects Defending champion Johnson Wagner spoke of his win at the 2008 Shell Houston Open as he tries to defend his title. Watch it
	Shot of the day Steve Elkington chips in for eagle at the 12th hole during day 2 of the 2009 Shell Houston Open. Watch it