Fourth-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.

• Jonathan Byrd told us after the most amazing finish ever in a PGA TOUR event that he never saw the winning hole-in-one at the 17th in the gathering darkness, just a little more than 10 minutes from sunset, but had a good feeling about the hole all day. With the hole in the back left corner, a little draw off the tee was required and that's J-Byrd's favorite shot. Just a little less than an hour earlier, he drew one in to within 8 feet at 17 and made the putt just to get into the playoff. He said he was in "shock" when it went in, but was coherent enough to remember another great lightning-bolt hole out, from Craig Parry at Doral, where there was also water just left and behind the hole location.

• Rickie Fowler got to sleep in his own bed this week at his Vegas condo, but it'll be awhile before he does it again. Fowler's on the way to Malaysia, then to China, then half-a-world back to Disney World to play in the Children's Miracle Network Classic, still looking for that first win, or possibly to win the Kodak Challenge. He's led the Challenge for most of the season and birdied the par-5 16th this week, but was caught by Aaron Baddeley's eagle on Saturday and then Troy Merritt made a 16-foot eagle putt Sunday to steal the lead by one shot. The final Kodak Challenge hole is the 17th at the Magnolia Course, a long par-4, but word is the hole might be made driveable for one or maybe two of the days of the tourney.

• For some, the Fall Series is about saving your job. For others, its about more chances to finally break through and win, or to move up the money list for extra tournament exemptions. For Hunter Mahan, it was a chance to try out some new gear. Though he finished tied for 50th place at 9 under par, he told us he learned quite a bit in his first event since the overly-eventful Ryder Cup. Mahan has switched his putter, driver and golf ball and felt good about the first test-drive of the new equipment. He'll have a couple more competitive opportunities to try out the new tools, at the World Golf Championships - HSBS Champions in China and the Chevron World Challenge in December.