The Starter: Round 1, Zurich Classic of New Orleans

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The first round of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans is set to begin. Here's a look at Thursday's round:

Groups We're Watching

Tee time Players   1:20 p.m. ET No. 10 Ben Crane, Sergio Garcia, Mark Wilson Crane looks to build on his 10th-place standing in the FedExCup, while Garcia wants to shake off last week. 1:30 p.m. ET, No. 1 K.J. Choi, Andres Romero, Rory Sabbatini Three players on different roads. Choi's on top of his game. Romero aims to regain past form. Sabbatini's been up and down. 1:30 p.m. ET, No. 10 Scott Verplank, Boo Weekley, Mike Weir Veteran Verplank plays with Weekley, who looked good at the Heritage, and Weir, who likely has a few events before a break.

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

INSTRUCTOR'S CORNER: Ed Brill, head instructor at Tour Academy Hilton Head, analyzes the playing conditions this week:

TPC Louisiana is the site this week for the Zurich Classic. This TPC course will be a stern challenge this week for sure; it didn't rank as difficult as Harbour Town did last year, but it is a different challenge. TPC Louisiana will play firmer and faster and the ball can get away from even the best players. One other factor which may seem to make the course easier is the lack of rough, but, once again, this could allow the ball to roll into hazards or other precarious areas that the rough might have stopped.

Wind could be a big factor this week, the course is open, unlike Harbour Town last week. TPC Louisiana also lost trees after Katrina, so the wind will be even more of a factor with less foliage to get through.

Thursday's forecast

Partly cloudy Temp: 83 high/62 low Mostly sunny with S winds at 12 mph.

How do you minimize the wind? First of all, when playing into the wind, do the opposite of what seems logical -- swing easier. This will put less backspin on the ball and keep the ball lower out of the wind. If we're playing from the fairway or rough, take more club, slightly grip down on the club and play the ball a little more back in the stance. The swing motion can also be shortened, in particular think of the arm swing. Reducing the length of the arm swing back and through will help keep the trajectory of the ball down.

The ball will want to curve more into the wind, so keeping it out of the wind as much as possible would be very prudent. When playing down wind let it fly. The ball doesn't want to curve as much so don't try to play big curves.

Try playing 3 wood off the tee instead of driver. You will be able to launch it higher and probably hit it close to as far. Cross winds are tricky, so TOUR players will try to play fades, for example, into a right to left wind to hold it up against the wind. Play the shot you think you can pull off most of the time. If that is playing a draw with the right to left wind, go for it.

The Film Room

Preview: Zurich Classic of New Orleans Jerry Kelly looks to defend his title at TPC Louisiana against a strong field at the 2010 Zurich Classic of New Orleans. Watch it Fantasy Insider Need help with your fantasy picks for 2010 Zurich Classic of New Orleans? John Swantek and the Fantasy Insider can help. Watch it Interview: Jerry Kelly Jerry Kelly, the defending champion, tells the 2010 Zurich Classic in New Orleans press that for him the ability to interact with the people and feel their support makes a positive difference in his game. Watch it

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