Groups we're watching: Buick Open, round 3

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Jun. 28, 2008

All times are eastern.

pelt_split.jpg

Bo Van Pelt, Daniel Chopra, Dudley Hart
Tee time:
12:36 p.m.
Tee: No. 1
Total TOUR wins: 4
Why you should watch: Talk about a hot start. Van Pelt backed up his first-round, 8-under 64 with a 6-under 66 on Friday setting the bar at 14 under. He hasn't been able to close the deal yet on the PGA TOUR, but has come close several times in recent years. His best chance came earlier this year when he tied for second at the inaugural Puerto Rico Open presented by Banco Popular. Chopra started the 2008 season with a bang, winning the season-opening, winners-only Mercedes-Benz Championship. Since then, the Swede has cooled off dramatically with nothing better than a tie for 32nd in his other 17 starts. That could change for Chopra in a big way this weekend. This has been a solid season for Hart. Playing on a Major Medical Exemption, the two-time TOUR winner has already racked up five top-25 finishes, including three top 10s, in 14 starts. Hart hasn't won on TOUR since 2000, but he's looking hot at the Buick Open after starting the tournament with rounds of 64-68 for a 12 under total.

2008 stat comparison
Player Events played Cuts made 1st 2nd 3rd Top 10 Top 25 Scoring average
Van Pelt 18 9 -- 1 -- 1 2 72.12
Chopra 18 12 1 -- -- 1 1 71.66
Hart 14 9 -- -- 1 3 5 71.46
austin_split.jpg

Woody Austin, Matt Jones, Fredrik Jacobson
Tee time: 12:27 p.m.
Tee: No. 1
Total TOUR wins: 3
Why you should watch: Austin was absolutely on fire to start the second round, with a stretch on the back nine -- his front -- that included four consecutive birdies, capped off by an eagle to make the turn in 6 under. Austin couldn't carry the momentum into the front nine, but at 11 under, he'll start the third round trailing by just three shots. Jones is a TOUR rookie who came close to a win during the Florida swing. That experience should serve him well. Jacobson is a Swede who's been in the hunt several times in his TOUR career, but is still trying to get that first win.

2008 stat comparison
Player Events played Cuts made 1st 2nd 3rd Top 10 Top 25 Scoring average
Austin 17 13 -- -- -- 2 6 72.04
Jones 17 10 -- -- -- 1 4 71.63
Jacobson 15 9 -- -- -- -- 4 71.83
glover_split.jpg

Lucas Glover, Ryan Palmer, Todd Hamilton
Tee time:
Noon
Tee: No. 1
Total TOUR wins: 4
Why you should watch: Surprisingly, Glover has just one top-10 finish in 2008. That was a tie for seventh at the Verizon Heritage, one week after the Masters. The Clemson University product needed a low round on Friday and got it in the form for a 6-under 66 to leap up the leaderboard. He'll start the third round well behind the leaders, but as he proved on Friday, you can make up a lot of shots in a hurry at Warwick Hills. Like Glover, Palmer and Hamilton each shot 66 in the second round. It hasn't been a great season for any of these three players, so this weekend could prove to be a great opportunity.

2008 stat comparison
Player Events played Cuts made 1st 2nd 3rd Top 10 Top 25 Scoring average
Glover 17 12 -- -- -- 1 5 71.33
Palmer 8 3 -- -- -- 1 2 71.35
Hamilton 16 9 -- -- -- -- 1 72.69

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