The Starter, Round 1: Travelers Championship

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Jun. 24, 2010

The first round of the Travelers Championship is set to begin Thursday. Here's a preview:

Groups We're Watching

Tee time	Players
7:42 a.m. ET No. 1		Adam Scott, Boo Weekley, Kirk Triplett Scott makes his first appearance here, whole Weekley fired a 65 and a 66 in last year's T14 finish.
12 p.m. ET, No. 1		Rickie Fowler, Jay Williamson, Scott McCarron Fowler is the top player in money and FedExCup points in the field. Williamson was second here in 2007.
12:42 p.m. ET, No. 1		Justin Rose, Hunter Mahan, Scott Verplank Coming off a win at the Memorial, Rose is paired with two top-10 finishers from last year. Mahan won here in 2007.

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

EXPERT PREVIEW: PGA TOUR NETWORK on-site correspondent Bob Stevens previews Round 1:

Any PGA TOUR title at the same venue is tough to defend -- just ask Dustin Johnson (though next spring he'll still defend his "event" title at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am ), but don't tell that to Kenny Perry. He finally has the feel of his "old" clubs back (just with the new V-grooves), his 30-pound-less body feels great and he's got his host for over 20 years, area resident Steve Kirsch on the bag, instead of his son Justin (who's at a wedding this week), so he's as loose as I've ever seen him. Watch out.

Justin Rose keeps talking about how the process of playing golf one shot at a time, finally played out for him at the Memorial three weeks ago, but he's a completely different golfer as I watched him play in the pro-am Wednesday. His confidence level is soaring. He used to think he was good enough to win. Now, he knows he is -- and so does the rest of the field. With the English soccer team advancing to the round of 16 at the World Cup, watch for Justin to free-wheel it, with his next goal getting into the British Open and making the crowded European Ryder Cup team (he's on the outside of both right now).

I teased Hunter Mahan about renaming this course the TPC Hunter Mahan after his dominating run of finishes here the last four years, but he's also a man on a mission this week. Mahan's been named to the last three American teams for international play, but wants to make this one without waiting by the phone. He's currently ninth on the Ryder Cup list, with only the top eight assured of making the team. A good finish at TPC Hunter Mahan could change that.

INSTRUCTOR'S CORNER: Bill Masching, head instructor at TOUR Academy New York, analyzes the playing conditions this week:

With temperatures climbing to the mid 90s and maybe even in the 100s, this year's Travelers Championship at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Conn. will be a great test on the players as well as golf course superintendent Thomas DeGrandi who said "This type of heat will dry our grass out if we are not careful." I walked the course yesterday and took note of its perfect playing conditions! The bent grass greens are rolling true and are in great shape. Last year's champion Kenny Perry loves putting on these greens, but there are some tricks of the trade when green reading that will help you too.

Thursday's forecast

Scattered T-storms
Temp: 89 high/64 low
Chance of precipitation 40 percent. Winds from SW at around 15 mph.

Bent grass needs plenty of water and will grow towards a lake or a stream if it's near. So remember to scan your surroundings before every putt. If you have a straight looking putt but the lake is on the right, your putt will likely roll toward the water on the right. If you don't know what type of grass you are playing on look at the shade of green the grass is. If you are putting into a darker shade of grass, you are most likely putting against the grain and will have a slower putt. If you are putting into shiny grass on the green, you are likely putting with the grain and your putt should be faster.

Shiny = Fast (like a sports car!)

Dark = Slow (both 4 letter words)

Remember to stay well hydrated in the heat this week and notice how the PGA TOUR players carefully read the greens to make more putts.

EVER-SHRINKING SCORES: Expect a low number to win this week's event at TPC River Highlands. Since Woody Austin (-10) won in 2004, every champion has either matched or improved upon the previous year's winning score. After Austin, Brad Faxon (-14, 2005), J.J. Henry (-14, 2006), Hunter Mahan (-15, 2007), Stewart Cink (-18, 2008) and Kenny Perry (-22, 2009) hosted the trophy in Connectiut. Perry's 22-under performance a year ago is the tournament record, but could be in jeopardy this week if the trend continues.

THEY ALWAYS RETURN TO THE SCENE: Each of the aforementioned past champions, as well as 2000 champ Notah Begay, will be in the field this week. Cink also has a 1997 title to go with his 2008 championship and is one of just six golfers to ever win multiple Travelers Championships. Gary Player is the only player in history with more than two wins in this tournament, totaling six.

The Film Room

	Preview: 2010 Travelers Championship The PGA TOUR travels to Cromwell, Conn. for the 2010 Travelers Championship where Kenny Perry hopes to defend his title. Watch it
	Interview: Hunter Mahan Hunter Mahan talks about the fan support and excitement at TPC River Highlands with the 2010 Travelers Championship press. Watch it
	Interview: Adam Scott Adam Scott tells the 2010 Travelers Championship media that the PGA TOUR players hold the tournament in high regard and his game fits TPC River Highlands. Watch it