The Starter, Round 2: Deutsche Bank Championship

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Sep. 4, 2010

The second round of the Deutsche Bank Championship is set to begin Saturday. Here's a preview:

Groups we're watching:
Tee time Players  
7:12 a.m. ET,
No. 1
Tiger Woods, John Senden, Michael Sim
Woods will need to turn things around or today's round could be his last of the Playoffs.
12:06 p.m. ET,
No. 1
Ryan Palmer, Jason Day, Zach Johnson
How does this group follow up Friday's 23-under performance? All eyes will be on them as they open afternoon play.
12:30 p.m. ET
No. 1
Matt Kuchar, Martin Laird, Steve Stricker
Each of the big three in the FedExCup standings will be looking for more momentum Saturday.

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

Saturday's forecast

Windy
Temp: 85 high/54 low
Chance of precipitation 30 percent. Winds from W around 20 mph.

I said this would be a birdie fest at the Deutsche Bank Championship and it was. There were so many low scores in Round 1 that I cannot keep up with them all. TPC Boston's layout was there for the taking and the best players in the world lined up to put their imprint on the scoreboard. Look for Zach Johnson and Jason Day to keep up the pace they set in Round 1 with more low 60's scores. You can believe that both these players will back those scores up today.

Ryan Palmer looked at me between the third and fourth tees today and said "Fun group, huh?" I said "Absolutely!" He went on to say "If I hit it outside of 10 feet, I feel like I am getting lapped". He was playing with Johnson and Day who posted 63s. Palmer himself posted a 64 and was beat by both his playing partners. The threesome was 23 under par for the first round.

I expect other players to look at the scoreboard and get charged up to make more birdies. The chances are out there and the key to having a lot of opportunities is hitting the fairways. The field played lift, clean and place in their own fairways, and I expect that to be the rule for the second round as well. Keep the ball out of the Kentucky bluegrass rough and you can control your distance to the hole locations that are often in a bowl-type sector of the green.

Tiger Woods flirted with disaster in the opening round but ended up righting the ship and finishing one over par. Woods will be more patient off the tee in the second round and leave himself more opportunities for birdies and eagles. Woods hit just six of 14 fairways in the first round. That number will double in today's second round. I believe Woods will shoot a very low number today, and if you bet the over on 65 you will lose. By Sunday's third round we will be discussing Woods in the top ten.

Phil Mickelson and Kevin Streelman are other players I am looking to for big rounds today. Mickelson is close to posting a silly number and Streelman has been close for weeks. These two guys are due for something big and this course is there to provide the platform.

Get ready for another birdie bonanza and watch out for the world's No. 1 and No. 2 to show why they hold those positions.

The Film Room
PGA TOUR Today: September 4, 2010
Casey Black looks back at Rd. 1 where a hurricane loomed, but players were able to finish. Watch it
Rd. 1 Highlights: Deutsche Bank Championship
Zach Johnson finished with a bogey-free 63 to be tied for the first round lead with Jason Day. Watch it
Shot of the Day: Vaughn Taylor
Vaughn Taylor chips in from off the green for eagle at TPC Boston's par-5 18th. Watch it
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