Jun. 1, 2011
The first round of the the Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide Insurance is set to begin. The Golf Channel will televise live action beginning at 3 p.m. ET .
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| Groups we're watching |
| Tee time |
Players |
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12:54 p.m. ET
No. 1 |
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Dustin Johnson, Nick Watney, Fred Couples
Presidents Cup preview. Captain Couples will get a close-up look at two of the players that are likely to anchor his team.
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8:04 a.m. ET
No. 10 |
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Phil Mickelson, Charl Schwartzel, Luke Donald
This is the Featured Group for the Memorial.
All three are looking for his second win of 2011.
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8:48 a.m. ET
No. 1 |
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Jeff Overton, Roland Thatcher, Tommy Gainey
All three of these players have gotten close to victory -- but all remain winless. Overton tied for 12th here last year. |
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WHAT TO WATCH ON THURSDAY:
• SCHWARTZEL BACK IN THE U.S.: Black tie was not optional last week during the European Tour's annual awards dinner. Except for Charl Schwartzel, that is. The reigning Masters champion attended, at the Tour's request, wearing the Green Jacket he received for that stirring victory at Augusta National in April. But instead of standing out, the South African joked, "Most people thought I was a waiter." Story
• THE KEY TO DONALD'S SUCCESS: When people talk about Luke Donald and the strengths of his game, the conversation almost always begins with his short game. Even the great Jack Nicklaus could be heard talking Tuesday about how Donald "wears out the practice greens" at The Bear's Club down in Jupiter, Fla. Story
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| Round 1 weather forecast |
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Sunny
Temp: 79 high/57 low
Sunny and warm, with winds around 9 mph. |
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| ShotLink Player notes |
| Here are some of the players you'll see on the Golf Channel's coverage: |
| NICK WATNEY |
| Watney currently sits in the No. 4 spot of the FedExCup standings on the strength of one win and 7 top-10s. Watney started his 2011 FedExCup campaign with five consecutive top fives in his first five starts. Watney is coming off two consecutive top-10s. He could potentially over take the No. 1 spot in the FedExCup with a third or better this week. |
| BUBBA WATSON |
| Watson has been a tee-to-green machine in 2011, ranking second for driving distance, 97th for driving accuracy and 1st in greens in regulation. Bubba currently ranks eighth on TOUR for total driving and second in ball-striking. No player has a lower par-5 scoring average than Watson in 2011 (4.48). Watson has now held the No. 1 spot in the FedExCup standings for the last five weeks. |
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