Third-round observations from the Shriners Hospitals Open

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PGA TOUR Network correspondent Bob Stevens will be offering observations this week from the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open. Listen to PGA TOUR Live coverage on XM 146/SIRIUS 209 or right here at PGATOUR.COM.

• The shot of the day, Martin Laird's drive to inside 10 feet at the par-4 (that's right, par-4) 15th wasn't a big surprise to Laird, who told us that he'd hit the middle of the green with his tee shots each of the first two rounds as well, but missed the eagle putts. He didn't miss Saturday, and the 2-shot bump gives him the lead headed into the final round.

• Cameron Percy told us that one of the reasons for his career-best 62 Saturday was that the greens were easier to putt. He played in one of the final groups in the Thursday/Friday draw, meaning he had to face greens that were a lot less pristine than he saw Saturday. Sorry to tell you, Cameron, but that spectacular Saturday means you'll be in the next-to-last group Sunday for the first time on the PGA TOUR, and the greens will be more challenging than ever.

• Aaron Baddeley had a very interesting perspective on how to play the TPC Summerlin when so many birdies are being fired and scores are so low. He said the key is "patience," that if you make a few pars in a row to not try to force the issue. Obviously, there'll be plenty of birdie opportunities, but trying too hard to make birdies will only lead to mistakes. Badds made two bogeys Thursday, only one Friday, and had a clean card Saturday to move to -14. If he stays patient Sunday, who knows what might happen. Coming in 120th on the money list, even a top-ten finish would likely wrap up his card for 2011.

• As for a winning score, Laird, who won last year at 19-under, didn't want to name a number, but said if he shot either of the scores he shot Friday or Saturday (62 and 63), he thinks he'd be pretty tough to catch. Well said.