The Starter: Round 1, Sony Open at Hawaii

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Jan. 14, 2010

The Sony Open at Hawaii, which marks the first full-field event of the year, is set to begin soon. Here's a look at Thursday's round:

Groups We're Watching

Tee time	Players
1 p.m. ET, Hole No. 1		Y.E. Yang, Zach Johnson, Davis Love III Love makes his 2010 PGA TOUR season debut with a first-round pairing that includes a pair of recent major champions.
5:30 p.m. ET, Hole No. 1		Ernie Els, David Toms, Steve Stricker Toms enters this week as one of the favorites; his steady play makes him a yearly threat at tight, narrow Waialae.
5:40 p.m. ET, Hole No. 1		Bo Van Pelt, Brian Gay, Rory Sabbatini This trio of 2009 winners all played last week; Gay's accuracy off the tee makes him a solid fantasy pick.

EXPERT PREVIEW: PGA TOUR NETWORK on-site correspondent Fred Albers previews Thursday's first round:

There might not be two more divergent courses on the 2010 PGA TOUR schedule than Kapalua and Waialae Country Club. The Plantation Course is extremely hilly and difficult to walk. Waialae is the flattest course of the year, and it doubles as the easiest walk on TOUR.

Thursday's forecast

Partly sunny
Temp: 77 high/65 low
Sunny and windy with winds from the northeast at 15 mph.

There are 21 golfers at the Sony Open who also played in the last week's SBS Championship and you would think they would have an advantage having competed last week, but the difference in the two courses negates some of that edge.

• Davis Love III is off to a good start before the Sony Open even begins. He caught a huge bonefish while casting early in the week. Some golfers wade onto the reef just offshore the 15th green to try fishing while the tournament is in progress.

• Zach Johnson is defending champion this week and got some tournament experience with the new grooves during the SBS Championship.

His initial impressions? "There is almost no difference on shots from the fairway," Johnson said. "From the rough, you have to work on flighting the ball because it won't spin as much. It won't take long for players to adjust."

The USGA changed the rules regarding grooves this year on clubs 25 degrees or higher, resulting in less spin on golf balls.

INSTRUCTOR'S CORNER: Todd Jones, head instructor at the TOUR Academy, analyzes the playing conditions at Waialae Country Club.

The Sony Open should prove to be an interesting tournament from start to finish. As the first full field event of the season is set to begin, there are still a lot of questions as to the impact of the new grooves.

However, this week should prove to answer most of the questions. Generally, the players are noticing a bigger difference with wedge shots from around the green. There is definitely less spin being generated with the short shots, which means that the ball is rolling out more once it is on the ground. This is not necessarily a bad thing, as a golf ball that is not spinning excessively will react very consistently, rolling more like a putt.

Very often, excessive spin will cause the ball to hop off line when it hits the ground, especially when there is a lot of grain present, and that is the case at Waialae. Look for the players that use trajectory to stop the ball around the greens to be successful this week. Watch as these players will use the bounce of the club to slide the clubhead under the ball, using the true loft of the club.

To do this, they start with the ball slightly forward of center in the stance and the shaft neutral (90 degrees to the ground). Once set up, they focus on making a soft swing that will return the shaft back to that neutral position through impact. Efficient scrambling may very well be the key to a Sony Open title.

The Film Room

	Memorable Moments: Sony Open in Hawaii The Sony Open in Hawaii has showcased many memorable moments throughout the years, including Isao Aoki's dramatic eagle to win in 1983. Watch it
	Preview: Sony Open in Hawaii Zach Johnson defends his Sony Open title in Hawaii, where a tight, traditional course hosts the first full-field event of the year. Watch it
	2010 PGA TOUR Rookies With 18 rookies on the PGA TOUR in 2010, Inside the PGA TOUR offers up some new faces to keep on an eye this season and beyond. Watch it