The Starter: Round 3, Shell Houston Open
The third round of the Shell Houston Open is set to begin. Here's a look at Saturday's round:
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EXPERT PREVIEW: PGA TOUR NETWORK on-site correspondent Bob Stevens previews Friday's second round:
The final group today might be more comfortable than you think in the uncomfortable situation of leading a tournament headed to the weekend. Bryce Molder is not one of those who plays on momentum or emotion -- he snuck up the leaderboard Friday almost unnoticed until his chip-in at 15 tied him for the lead and his 33-foot bomb rattled home at 17 to give him the lead. He won't rattle easily, while Alex Prugh and Cameron Percy will at least be able to relate to each other's situation after chasing titles all season long on the Nationwide Tour a year ago.
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Molder, Prugh and Percy will likely be concerned with their own business, but they'll be able to see and hear the commotion created by the world-ranked players in front of them. Lee Westwood's ranked 4th in the world and told me he's a little rankled he hasn't won in the U.S. since New Orleans a dozen years ago and Anthony Kim's been chomping at the bit to get back in the hunt after a winless 2009. Both have to be considered prime contenders next week at Augusta no matter what happens this weekend -- and if they were to win here? Talk about momentum!
In what seems to be the year of the foreign superstars (the three most exclusive fields this year have had Geoff Ogilvy, Ian Poulter and Ernie Els as their winners), watch out, for not only Westwood, but Padraig Harrington and 2007 Houston champ Adam Scott are 'lurking' and share something in common. They've scored better than they've played. None of the trio has made a significant number of longer putts, yet they're right in the hunt and if they can get anything to drop from outside 15-feet, they could find themselves in the final group on Sunday.
INSTRUCTOR'S CORNER: Steve Hanlon, head instructor at TPC San Antonio, analyzes the playing conditions this week at Redstone:
With Round 2 coming to a close we saw some good scoring again today. Judging by the weather here in San Antonio and seeing the playing conditions at Redstone Golf Club the winds were down and ideal for some good low numbers. This golf course is a GREAT test to prepare for next week's Masters.
Looking at our leaderboard as it stands right now there is a unique trend for the top ten. Only one player, Graham DeLaet is in the top ten in driving distance. So the premium is on hitting fairways and setting up your best opportunity for solid contact to control your distances. These firm fast conditions lend themselves to utilizing more than just driver off of some of the long holes. Let's face it, is it more beneficial to hit a 7 iron from out of the deep rough or to be able to flight a nice solid 5 iron from the middle of the fairway?
One of the things I like to stress at the TOUR Academy when teaching driving is start with a club that first, you can control; second, that provides optimal launch conditions; and third, that breeds some confidence. During your next practice session try starting with your 5 wood or even hybrid, and pick out an imaginary fairway. Strike five shots and see how many stay in the fairway. Next, move to your 3 wood, and last to your driver. Find what club you have the most success with and head to the first tee confident you will find the fairway.
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