SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – Jay Haas isn’t perfect after all.

One day after his Champions Tour-record-tying 60 at the Charles Schwab Cup Championship, Haas bogeyed his third hole in Round 3. He’s even through five holes at Desert Mountain but at 14 under and holding a three-shot lead over playing partner Tom Lehman.

Lehman is 2 under and sitting well in his chase to overtake Bernhard Langer for the Schwab Cup title. The defending champion in the year-long race needs at least a top 5 to be in the conversation and is doing his part. If he doesn’t win he needs help from Langer, and Langer is stuck at even through eight holes and 10th on the leaderboard. That combination would hand the Schwab Cup to Lehman.

Fred Couples is in third at 10 under.

ON THE MARK ARCHIVE: Tips from Mark Immelman By Mark Immelman, Special to PGATOUR.COM This week I am heartened that two Champions Tour players I teach, Larry Mize and Loren Roberts, are in good shape through two rounds of The Greater Hickory Classic at Rock Barn. Working with some of the legends of the game from the Champions Tour has been a wonderful experience for me and I can comfortably say that I have learned as much from them as they have learned from me. One of the enduring lessons is the fact that, to a man, every player retains his individual approach to the game. Furthermore, the elder statesmen keep things fiercely simple and to the point. There is never any “fluff” and certainly never any over-complication of anything – with the advent of increased video-based golf lessons that indeed is a lesson for us all. This week, Mize has hit 81 percent of the greens in regulation and has made 12 birdies in two rounds. These numbers indicate the realization of a goal we set – a goal to sharpen up his iron play and get a few more legitimate birdie opportunities. Mize is perennially one of the most accurate drivers of the ball on the Champions Tour and he normally hits a good number of greens in regulation. Of late, however, his iron-play had waned. To improve his iron play, Larry and I revisited a couple of the keys we worked on at the outset of our instructor-player relationship in 2009. Over our time together, Larry’s swing definitely improved and grew and as a result our work and our focus evolved a bit. As this continued to happen we definitely uncovered some minor issues that we looked to address. Whereas these “fine” adjustments appeared to be a good idea at the time, the downside of the work was that our focus on Larry’s “major” keys, or “critical success factors” as I like to call them, decreased. It was amazing to me that as soon as we began to revisit the important keys to Larry’s swing the ball-contact instantly began to sharpen up and the shot pattern tightened. More often than not I would mention to him that he was starting to look like 2009 – a season in which he had 10 top 10s in 20 tournaments and finished 25th in the Masters. The lesson that you can learn from Mize is that you must identify what your personal “Critical Swing Success Factors” are – consult your professional, if you must – and no matter what happens, you must keep constant tabs on them. Remember also, this mantra that I remind myself of on a daily basis: “Once a swing habit, always a swing habit…” It seems hard to believe but it is one of the things of which I have become convinced. Let a Masters champion be proof of that. Good luck, /mi Mark Immelman, the brother of PGA TOUR professional Trevor Immelman, is a well-respected golf instructor and head coach of the Columbus State University (Ga.) golf team. For more information about Mark and his instruction, visit his web site, markimmelman.com or follow him on Twitter @mark_immelman or “Like” Mark Immelman Golf Instruction on Facebook. He also has a golf instruction e-book called “Consistently Straight Shots – The Simple Solution” available on iTunes/iBooks.

By Fred Albers, PGATOUR.COM Correspondent MEDINAH, Ill. -- Webb Simpson did something different while practice putting on Thursday at Medinah Country Club. He used a standard length shaft. The U.S. Open champion did not pick this week to abandon his belly putter -- he just uses the standard length shaft to get a feel for his stroke. The belly putter is still in play for Simpson for the Ryder Cup. Captain’s choice: Davis Love III is seemingly everywhere, darting around Medinah in a red golf cart. Meanwhile, assistant captain, Fred Couples, walked the rope line and graciously handed out autographs for the gallery while answering dozens of questions. U.S. players are making a concerted effort to interact with the fans. Maybe they’re just being polite, or maybe they’re just trying to build goodwill that translates into momentum-building applause during competition. Pace of play: The PGA is giving players a very generous 60 seconds to play each shot during Ryder Cup competition. If a player takes longer than 60, he will be issued a warning. If there is a second violation, a second warning is given. It is only after two bad times that a player will have committed a time violation resulting in loss of hole during foursome matches. They are allotting 4:06 for singles play, 4:14 for foursomes and 5:07 for four-ball matches. Haircut: The entire golf course has been nicely trimmed. The fairways are clipped tight and the rough is just about nonexistent. Playing out of the rough will not pose a problem, but you will see lots of balls running through the grass into the trees. Recovery shots will still be needed this week. Tournament officials will not comment on green speed, only saying, “they are Ryder Cup speed,” with no further elaboration. The putting surfaces are very firm and fast. I would guess Ryder Cup speed translates to 13 to 14 on the stimpmeter. Phil: There was nothing casual about Phil Mickelson’s practice round with Keegan Bradley. The lefty appeared to be nonchalant, chatting with fans as he left the green, but once on the tee, Phil was all work. He and his caddie Jim Mackay were serious about club selection and yardage. At one point Mickelson said, “let’s get this dialed in now Bones.” On the playful side, Mickelson entertained fans at the 16th by hitting huge flop shots while Bradley would run and catch them like an outfielder at Fenway Park. Fred Albers is a course reporter for SiriusXM PGA TOUR Radio. For more information on SiriusXM PGA TOUR Radio, click here.

It's Ryder Cup eve for the 39th matches, which begin on Friday at Medinah CC in suburban Chicago. Our experts have made their picks on the biggest impact player for both Team USA and Team Europe. But now we want to hear your thoughts. Tell us who will have the biggest impact for both sides -- one player for Team USA and one for Team Europe. Let us know in the comments section below.

By Rob Bolton, PGATOUR.COM Fantasy Columnist A couple of online games concluded with last week's TOUR Championship by Coca-Cola. Thanks to a giant assist by champion Brandt Snedeker, I placed 195th in the Summer Segment in the Yahoo! game with 2,374 points. Gunga Galunga (2,529 points) hung on to win the segment by 36 points over Scott Schaffran. For the season, I finished 3,861st with 5,658 points (97th percentile). Not too shabby considering my slow start. YODA MAN tallied 6,098 points for the top spot in the full-season race, 20 clear of Nevada Bighorns. YODA MAN averaged 164.81 points per tournament. In the finale at PGA TOUR Matchups on Facebook, I went 3-1-1 to post an overall record of 88-68-4 for 188 points. In what was a heartbreaking fade, last week's co-leader and long-time pacesetter, Austin Frank, settled for a 0-4-1 slate at East Lake to finish four points adrift of fellow co-leader, Michael Flanagan (2-2-1), and Dennis59 (4-0-1), both of whom racked up 212 points. Over the last three tournaments, Dennis59 went 13-1-1 to Flanagan's 11-3-1 and Frank 8-6-1. Of the trio, only Frank failed to chalk up one bonus during that stretch. I will continue to share my one-and-done and duffer picks in this space through the Fall Series. Here are my earnings for each through the FedExCup Playoffs: ONE-AND-DONE: $6,774,953.00 DUFFER: $612,595.50 Meanwhile, it didn't take long after my Power Rankings for the Ryder Cup published on Tuesday for readers to express consternation over Steve Stricker's spot at No. 22. Here's his capsule: It's surreal that he needed a Captain's Pick, but it speaks to U.S. depth. His calling card was a 4-0-0 record with Tiger Woods at the 2009 Presidents Cup. Stricker's only other relevant experience was a 1-1-0 with Matt Kuchar at the 2011 Presidents Cup. Now, the gripes: What about relevant experience beating Lee Westwood in singles at Wales? I agree Stricker isn't playing great, but to say his only other relevant experience is inaccurate. -- Tim So I am guessing that Steve taking down the world's No. 1 at the time, Lee Westwood, in the last Ryder Cup on enemy turf does not count as RELEVANT EXPERIENCE…REALLY. OK, we’ll see if Steve really is the last-ranked American when all is said and done. I think not but thanks for your comments. -- Bob Really dis'd Stricker. I am guessing your [sic] wrong on this. -- @meritw1 on Twitter No doubt about it. Stricker's 2-and-1 victory over Westwood to open singles at Celtic Manor helped set the tone for what would be a 6-4-2 record on the day for the Americans. The Americans' loss in the competition overall didn't influence my opinion, however. The Power Rankings was crafted to have some fun digging into the potential pairings, not singles. Foursomes and four-ball account for two of the first three days, four of the first five sessions, and 16 of the first 28 matches. It's also possible for a golfer to total four wins before singles. The only time I referenced singles was in Dustin Johnson's capsule, since his only victory in 2010 was in that format.

Fred Couples will be inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in the class of 2013. Couples is a 15-time winner on the PGA TOUR -- including victories at the 1984 and 1996 PLAYERS Championships and the 1992 Masters. Want to congratulate Fred? Write a note in the comments section below and we'll share your thoughts with him.

The top 30 in FedExCup points are headed to East Lake for the TOUR Championship by Coca-Cola. Here’s a look at Rory McIlroy, one of the 30 players who will contend for the FedExCup title.

SCENARIOS TO WIN FEDEXCUP: McIlroy controls his own destiny for the FedExCup:
> If he wins the TOUR Championship he wins the FedExCup
> Has a reasonable chance of winning with a top-5 finish
> Can finish as low as 29th and still have a mathematical chance of winning

Click here for scenarios of every player

SEASON IN REVIEW: The high point of McIlroy's season would have to be his eight-stroke triumph at the PGA Championship, which was his second major and returned him to No. 1 in the world. But his performance so far in the Playoffs has been equally impressive as he picked up his third and fourth wins of the season at the Deutsche Bank Championship and BMW Championship -- holding off an all-star cast that included the likes of Louis Oosthuizen and Tiger Woods at the first and Phil Mickelson and Lee Westwood at the second. Long forgotten in that late season surge were those three missed cuts in four starts after he lost in a playoff at the Wells Fargo Championship that had tongues wagging and pundits questioning McIlroy's desire. -- Helen Ross

PATH TO TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP: Here’s a look at McIlroy's results in the first three events of the 2012 FedExCup Playoffs:
Click here for Playoffs Tracker of every player.

Tournament
Tournament finish	T-24	1st	1st
FEC ranking after event	4th	1st	1st

PREVIOUS FEDEXCUP FINISHES: Here is how McIlroy has finished in previous Playoffs appearances:

	2011	2010	2009	2008	2007
FedExCup finish	---	36th	---	---	---

EAST LAKE HISTORY: This is McIlroy's first start at East Lake.

ALBERS’ QUICK TAKE: Fred Albers, on-course correspondent for SiriusXM PGA TOUR Radio, provides a quick look at McIlroy:
The best player in the world right now. Probably the Player of the Year on the PGA TOUR. He creates so much torque in his swing with a complete turn and lag. He may not win the TOUR Championship by Coca-Cola but has to be the favorite.

WATCH: McIlroy surges to the top at Deutsche Bank

PLAYER PAGE: Click here for more on Rory McIlroy

Now it’s your turn. How do you think McIlroy will fare at the TOUR Championship by Coca-Cola?

The top 30 in FedExCup points are headed to East Lake for the TOUR Championship by Coca-Cola. Here’s a look at Tiger Woods, one of the 30 players who will contend for the FedExCup title.

SCENARIOS TO WIN FEDEXCUP: Woods controls his own destiny for the FedExCup:
> If he wins the TOUR Championship he wins the FedExCup
> Has a reasonable chance of winning with a top-3 finish
> Can finish as low as a 2-way tie for 6th and still have a mathematical chance of winning

Click here for scenarios of every player

SEASON IN REVIEW: The two-time FedExCup champion ended his 30-month victory drought in a big way with three wins during the PGA TOUR's Regular Season. He didn't get the major he covets, but he did tie Jack Nicklaus in career wins when he won the Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide Insurance and moved ahead with 74 at AT&T National. Interestingly, though, Woods struggled on the weekends overall ranking 53rd in third-round scoring average and 23rd in the final round after ranking second in scoring before the cut. -- Helen Ross

PATH TO TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP: Here’s a look at Woods' results in the first three events of the 2012 FedExCup Playoffs:
Click here for Playoffs Tracker of every player.

Tournament
Tournament finish	T-38	3rd	T-4
FEC ranking after event	3rd	3rd	2nd

PREVIOUS FEDEXCUP FINISHES: Here is how Woods has finished in previous Playoffs appearances:

	2011	2010	2009	2008	2007
FedExCup finish	---	42nd	1st	70th	1st

EAST LAKE HISTORY: This is Woods' 13th start in the TOUR Championship, but first since 2009. He's finished first or second six times -- winning in 2007 and 1999. He's shot in the 60s in 31 of his 48 rounds at East Lake.

ALBERS’ QUICK TAKE: Fred Albers, on-course correspondent for SiriusXM PGA TOUR Radio, provides a quick look at Woods:
Playing as well as I have seen him play over the last three years. His body language has dramatically improved. I can envision him winning the TOUR Championship by Coca-Cola and FedExCup, leading into a multi-major year for 2013.

WATCH: Tiger's victory at the AT&T National

PLAYER PAGE: Click here for more on Tiger Woods

Now it’s your turn. How do you think Woods will fare at the TOUR Championship by Coca-Cola?

The top 30 in FedExCup points are headed to East Lake for the TOUR Championship by Coca-Cola. Here’s a look at Nick Watney, one of the 30 players who will contend for the FedExCup title.

SCENARIOS TO WIN FEDEXCUP: Watney controls his own destiny for the FedExCup:
> If he wins the TOUR Championship he wins the FedExCup
> Has a reasonable chance of winning with a 2nd-place finish
> Can finish as low as a tie for fourth and still have a mathematical chance of winning

Click here for scenarios of every player

SEASON IN REVIEW: Watney turned a lackluster Regular Season into one to remember when he captured the first event in the FedExCup Playoffs. Watney started the final round of The Barclays two strokes off the pace and ended up winning by three when he closed with a 69. That vaulted him to No. 1 in the FedExCup standings and kept him in the all-important top five as he makes his third straight trip to East Lake. -- Helen Ross

PATH TO TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP: Here’s a look at Watney's results in the first three events of the 2012 FedExCup Playoffs:
Click here for Playoffs Tracker of every player.

Tournament
Tournament finish	1st	T-20	T-45
FEC ranking after event	1st	2nd	3rd

PREVIOUS FEDEXCUP FINISHES: Here is how Watney has finished in previous Playoffs appearances:

	2011	2010	2009	2008	2007
FedExCup finish	9th	12th	12th	109th	41st

EAST LAKE HISTORY: This is Watney's fourth start in the TOUR Championship. His best finish was a tie for fourth in 2010, aided by a third-round 63. He tied for 26th last season and tied for 13th in 2009.

ALBERS’ QUICK TAKE: Fred Albers, on-course correspondent for SiriusXM PGA TOUR Radio, provides a quick look at Watney:
Has played well since the U.S. Open, culminating in his win at The Barclays. Watney underwent swing changes with Butch Harmon that are now being seen with more consistency. Has not had a good year putting but was very good on the greens at Bethpage.

WATCH: Watney opens Playoffs with win at The Barclays

PLAYER PAGE: Click here for more on Nick Watney

Now it’s your turn. How do you think Watney will fare at the TOUR Championship by Coca-Cola?