The Starter, Round 1: The Viking Classic

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Sep. 29, 2010

The first round of The Viking Classic is set to begin Thursday. Here's a preview.

Groups we're watching:

Tee time	Players
7:40 a.m. ET No. 10		Cameron Beckman, Heath Slocum, Will MacKenzie MacKenzie, the defending (2008) champion enters the Fall Series at No. 159 on the money list, needing to make a move.
12:20 p.m. ET, No. 1		Henrik Stenson, Sean O'Hair, Boo Weekley Weekley finished T3 in this event in 2003. O'Hair has had there top 10s this season, but just one since the British Open.
12:50 p.m. ET, No. 10		Brad Faxon, Webb Simpson, John Merrick Simpson (121st in money) and Merrick (126th) are two names to keep an eye on during the Fall Series.

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

EXPERT PREVIEW: PGA TOUR on-site correspondent John Maginnes previews Thursday's action:

What a difference a year makes. The Viking Classic was over before it began last year because of torrential rains that hammered central Mississippi tournament week. On Wednesday this week, water trucks were dousing the parking lots to keep the dust from becoming a problem. Mother nature has smiled on the region this year and the golf course is "the best I have ever seen it," one long time member said. To a man the player on the PGA TOUR agreed.

Thursday's forecast

Sunny
Temp: 87 high/55 low
Chance of precipitation 0 percent. Winds from N around 15 mph.

The shift to Champions Bermuda four years ago has allowed the greens to survive the hot summer and thrive in early autumn. The greens are firm and fast. Furthermore they have matured to the point that grain is only a small factor on putts. From tee to green the golf course is a blanket of manicured bermuda. The rough will be a factor but probably won't determine the outcome.

With reachable par 5s and reasonable par 4s, scoring will still be good at Annondale. Inevitably someone will get hot early in the week and shoot 65 or better. Most of these players are chomping at the bit to get back at it. Some had short runs in the playoffs while still other went and played an event or two on the Nationwide Tour. But the bulk of this field has had more than a month off to analyze their situation, fix what was ailing them and try to turn things around.

This is the first step in the stretch run to exemption on the PGA TOUR and these guys know it. There are veterans in this field who have been rising to the occasion for decades. There are rookies and young players who are asking themselves those same questions for the first time. The answers will start coming on Thursday morning.

The Film Room

	PGA TOUR Today: September 26, 2010 It's the start of the fall series and players are getting ready tee it up Thursday at the Viking Classic. Casey Black has a preview of what to expect this week in Mississippi. Watch it
	Fantasy Video: Viking Classic Need help with your fantasy picks for the 2010 Viking Classic? John Swantek and the Fantasy Insider can help! Watch it
	Preview: 2010 Viking Classic The Viking Classic kicks off the PGA TOUR Fall Series at Annandale Golf Club, giving players a chance to position themselves within the top 125 on the money list to secure playing privileges for 2011. Watch it