Round 1: THE TOUR Championship

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Sep. 24, 2009
By PGATOUR.com Staff

The first groups are ready to tee off in Round 1 at THE TOUR Championship presented by Coca-Cola. Here's how it sets up:

Groups We're Watching

Tee time	Players
2:05 p.m. ET, Hole No. 1		Tiger Woods, Steve Stricker Both players control their own destiny -- win this week and become FedExCup Champion.
1:45 p.m. ET, Hole No. 1		Padraig Harrington, Heath Slocum Harrington is looking for his first win of 2009; this would be a good time to get that win.
1:05 p.m. ET, Hole No. 1		Phil Mickelson, Geoff Ogilvy Two wins apiece for this pair, but each would like to add one more victory this weekend.

EXPERT PREVIEW: PGA TOUR on-site correspondent Mark Carnevale previews Thursday's round:

Thursday's forecast

Thunderstorms
Temp: 82 high/71 low
Cloudy with a chance of thunderstorms. Winds from the east at 5 to 10 mph.

The players are rested and East Lake is in good shape despite being a little damp due to the rain in the Atlanta area during the past week. Come Sunday, one of the 30 players competing here will claim the top prize of $10 million and the FedExCup.

Certainly the week off was welcomed by the top 30 players, and I would expect those who were playing well prior to the break will continue their quest for the FedExCup. The course will play longer than the last two years because of the rainfall, and that should play into the hands of the longer hitters. One ot those long hitters to keep an eye on is Angel Cabrera, who switched to the new Ping I15. Not that Angel needs more length, but word is that he loves the new driver.

I spoke to PGA TOUR Rules Official Mike Shea on Wednesday, and my biggest concern was the condition of the course. "It was in good shape, and play should not be affected by the storms that have blown through Atlanta," he said. "The sub-air systems under the greens will help this."

The areas he indicated that have been affected are pretty much out of play.

I expect the golf to remain exciting as we come to the conclusion of the 2009 PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedExCup. Don't be surprised if we truly don't know the winner until the final putt on Sunday.

Stat of the day

This week's field boasts 14 major championship winners, the winners of 35 overall titles. Included in that group are the four major champions from this year: Angel Cabrera (Masters), Lucas Glover (U.S. Open), Stewart Cink (British Open) and Y.E. Yang (PGA Championship).

The Film Room

	Opening Shot: THE TOUR Championship Tiger Woods sits atop the standings, but five players control their own destinies with a win. Brian Katrek and Marc Fein preview THE TOUR Championship presented by Coca-Cola. Watch it
	Cink, Atlanta native, on severe weather at East Lake Atlanta area resident Stewart Cink spoke about his situation coming into the 2009 TOUR Championship presented by Coca-Cola and the severe weather and its consequences coming into the event. Watch it
	Tiger Woods faces crucial four days at East Lake Tiger Woods spoke about the importance of THE TOUR Championship presented by Coca-Cola at a pre-tournament press conference. Watch it