The Starter, Round 1: Deutsche Bank Championship

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Sep. 2, 2010

The first round of the Deutsche Bank Championshi is set to begin Thursday. Here's a preview:

Groups we're watching:

Tee time	Players
8:00 a.m. ET No. 1		Matt Kuchar, Steve Stricker, Martin Laird The top three in the FedExCup standings play together with Stricker defending his title at TPC Boston.
11:42 a.m. ET, No. 10		Tiger Woods, John Senden, Michael Sim Woods enters the week in 65th and a made cut should get him into the BMW Championship. Is this the week he puts four rounds together?
12:30 p.m. ET, No. 1		Justin Rose, Ernie Els, Dustin Johnson Each has a goal: Rose to prove he was worthy of a Ryder Cup spot, Els to re-claim No. 1 in the standings, Johnson to show the world he's bounced back from another disaster.

MORE ROUND 1: Tee times | Inside the field | Inside the course | Transcripts

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

Friday's forecast

Showers
Temp: 78 high/66 low
Chance of precipitation 80 percent. Winds from SE around 20 mph.

What if I told you that the second stage of the PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedExCup may be the most exciting, edge of your seat golf watching that you ever participated in? That will be the case this Friday through Monday at the Deutsche Bank Championship. The golf course is one of the most generous on TOUR and, in 2009, TPC Boston ranked 2nd on TOUR for the highest birdie or better percentage on approach shots. It also was the fifth easiest on TOUR for scrambling around the greens, and hosted the most eagles on par 4s on tour with 16. This is a beautiful layout with generous fairways and flowing undulated greens that often have bowl shaped areas that give players great chances to get the ball close just by finding the right sector.

The course this week like Ridgewood Country Club last week at the Barclays has taken 3.5 inches of rain in the week proceeding the tournament which will also add some pin seeking factors as players will be able to hold the greens and better control distance. More rain is called for on Friday which will again soften any areas that have begun to dry out. This is a formidable golf course but I fear she will playing not only without her teeth but with her dentures out this week as well, yielding a record-setting total of birdies and eagles.

There have been three changes to the course for this year's event in hopes of toughening up the old girl. New tees have been added at Nos. 2, 3 and 15 giving the PGA TOUR more options. The par-5 second hole has also taken on new mounding in the landing area and had the green reduced by almost forty percent. The par-3 3rd hole has been stretched 28 yards to a new back tee that can play up to 208 yards. The rough is Kentucky Bluegrass and can fool players who think they have a dead lie or a flyer.

Tiger Woods is going to take advantage of this layout this week. He found his putter last week and says that the swing changes are starting to pay dividends. I also like defending champion Steve Stricker who shot 66 in the final round last week and missed the playoff by 2 strokes.

Also watch the remaining rookies in the Playoffs: Rickie Fowler (22), Rory McIlroy (28), Josh Teater (75), Alex Prugh (95) and Blake Adams (98). McIlroy has won this year at Quail Hollow, and Fowler been runner-up 2 times this year. I think Fowler may have a breakout week here in Boston.

So find a spectator mound, grab a hot dog or lobster roll and get ready to clap a whole bunch this week.

The Film Room

	Preview: Deutsche Bank Championship It's the second leg of the PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedExCup. Casey Black previews what to expect for the opening round. Watch it
	Fantasy Insider: Deutsche Bank Championship Need help with your fantasy picks for the 2010 Deutsche Bank Championship? John Swantek and the Fantasy Insider can help! Watch it
	Interview: Tiger Woods As Tiger Woods spoke to the media about the mechanics of his swing and his new coach, Sean Foley. Watch it