The Starter, Round 2: The Barclays

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Aug. 26, 2010

The second round of The Barclays is set to begin Friday. Here's a preview:

Groups We're Watching

Tee time	Players
7:54 a.m. ET, No. 1		Ricky Barnes, Adam Scott, Jason Bohn Adam Scott is moving right into the thick of the FedExCup chase. His partners are looking safe for two more events, but need to play into the finale.
12:10 p.m. ET No. 10		Tiger Woods, Cameron Beckman, Troy Matteson Woods made the first swing of the day Thursday and charged to an early lead. Will it hold up when he faces afternoon conditions?
1:16 p.m. ET, No. 10		Luke Donald, Ryan Palmer, Retief Goosen Palmer cooled off after five consecutive birdies but is one shot off the pace. Goosen and Donald are currently holding top-30 spots.

MORE ROUND 2: Tee times | Inside the field | Inside the course | Transcripts

EXPERT PREVIEW: PGA TOUR NETWORK on-site correspondent Brett Wright previews Friday's action:

Friday's forecast

Sunny
Temp: 79 high/60 low
Chance of precipitation 0 percent. Winds from NW around 10 mph.

The big movers of the day are always the lead story in the PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedExCup, especially when one of those big movers is Tiger Woods. Yesterday Woods played well in the first group of the day, taking advantage of the perfect, soft conditions of Ridgewood Country Club. Woods, fueled by seven birdies, posted a 6-under 65 and is tied at the top of the leader-board with Vaughn Taylor. Woods hit driver just twice all day, stating that he did not feel comfortable hitting driver over the corner on some of the doglegs here at Ridgewood.

Off the tee Woods is confident playing the ball with a fade left to right, but has been inconsistent of late with turning the ball over or drawing the ball to shape right to left holes. Woods talked about his round with renewed vigor and I can tell that this reincarnation of Tiger Woods is loaded with confidence and ready to steady himself back at the top of the game. Look for the Woods rally to continue throughout the week as the world's No. 1 player continues to find his way around this great traditional layout with patience and a putting stroke that is finally flowing. The biggest move of the day was made by Woods who is currently 112th in FedExCup points and is currently projected to move up 110 spots to second place with his 65. The next largest move was 55 spots up by Johnathan Byrd. I believe Woods will stay in the top 10 in the Barclays all week.

The golf course stood up well considering the rain that fell earlier in the week. The greens showed signs of quickening in the afternoon sun and breeze, and will get faster as the week goes with no additional precipitation in the forecast. This will toughen the approach shots for everyone on these undulated greens as players will have to adjust their games to play less aggressive shots to ensure that they can keep the ball on the putting surface and stay below the hole.

This rough is nasty and it will take its toll of players who cannot hit the fairway. Notice that a routine shot out of the rough will end up with the club being held up and cause pulls and pushes that multiply recovery difficulty.

Keep a look out for Australian Adam Scott, who made seven birdies in his first round and missed 4 putts from 5 to 10 feet over his last six holes. He is driving the ball long and straight and his irons are laser accurate with perfect distance. Scott is 32nd in FedExCup points coming into the week and his projected number after Rd. 1 is 7th. Adam told me that he gained a lot of confidence at the PGA Championship and has carried it here to Ridgewood.

Briny Baird shot an even par 71 and moved up 3 spots to sit on the cutline for th Deutsche Bank Championship at No. 100. The BMW Championship bubble at No. 70 is currently held by Steve Marino. The sacred No. 30 position, which will be the final spot in THE TOUR Championship, is currently in possession of Robert Allenby. Watch these guys to see if they can maintain their number and improve their chances of advancing through the Playoffs!

INSTRUCTOR'S CORNER: Todd Jones, Head Instructor at THE TOUR ACADEMY at TPC Sawgrass, provides a few helpful hits while you watch the second round.. For more information about THE TOUR ACADEMY, click here.

Round one of The Barclays saw World No. 1 Tiger Woods take a huge step in the right direction, opening with a 65. Tiger was solid from tee to green, hitting 93 percent of his fairways (T2 in the field) and 83 percent of his greens in regulation (T3 in the field). Vaughn Taylor is tied atop the leaderboard with Tiger with another three players one shot back.

The thing that stands out about Tiger's round is his driving accuracy. As mentioned he hit 93 percent of his fairways. He did this while averaging 255 yards off the tee. That tells us that he managed his game off the tee, putting the premium on playing his approach shots from the fairway. This plan of attack is one that would serve all who play the game very well. Tiger did not hit driver off every tee, but hit clubs that would give set him up to attack into the greens. Try this plan of attack for your next round of golf, playing your next round hitting 3 wood, 5 wood, or even a hybrid off the tee. I guarantee that you find it easier to score playing from the short grass, just as Tiger woods did in Rd. 1 of The Barclays.

The Film Room

	PGA TOUR TODAY: August 27, 2010 Tiger Woods is back on top of the leaderboard after round one of The Barclays. Casey Black breaks down Thursday play and previews what to expect for Friday. Watch it
	First Round Highlights Tiger Woods shoots a first-round 6-under par 65 and is tied for the lead at 6-under par during first round coverage of the 2010 Barclays Championship. Watch it
	Shot of the Day: Tiger Woods Tiger Woods fires his approach shot at the par-4 14th 192 feet and leaves a 2-foot putt for birdie during first round coverage of the 2010 Barclays Championship. Watch it