The Starter: Round 1, FBR Open at TPC Scottsdale

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Jan. 29, 2009
By PGATOUR.COM staff

The first group will soon tee off in today's first round of the FBR Open. Here's how it sets up:

Groups We're Watching

Tee time	Players
10:07 am ET (8:07 am local)		Carl Pettersson, Stephen Ames, Aaron Baddeley Pettersson makes his second start of '09, while Baddeley, winner here in '07, makes his '09 debut. Track 'em
2:17 pm ET (12:17 pm local)		Ryuji Imada, J.B. Holmes, Chad Campbell Imada is playing for the fourth straight week and is off to a good '09. Holmes is the defending champ. Track 'em
2:26 pm ET (12:16 pm local)		Zach Johnson, Justin Leonard, Phil Mickelson Three major champions here. Johnson won two weeks ago at the Sony Open, and Leonard was fifth at Kapalua. Track 'em

EXPERT PREVIEW: PGA TOUR Network on-site correspondent Mark Carnevale previews Thursday's first round:

Thursday's forecast

Sunny
Temp: 73 high/43 low
Clear throughout the day with plenty of sunshine. Winds will come out of the northeast at 10 mph.

It's hard to believe the 2009 PGA TOUR season is almost a month old as they play in the Valley of the Sun this week. The weather will be perfect as will the golf. Even though there is that "Big Game" down in Tampa, Fla. Sunday, where the fan-favorite in Scottsdale is playing, there will be plenty of "hooting and hollering at TPC Scottsdale for the FBR Open.

One big name making his '09 PGA TOUR debut is Phil Mickelson, a two-time winner of the FBR Open. And get this, it appears to my eye, Phil is even more svelte than he was last year. Phil will try to rebound from that disappointing playoff loss to J.B. Holmes in last years FBR Open. Phil will be looking for the fifth debut victory of his career.

There are really some good pairings for golf fans for the first two rounds. Going off the first tee Thursday afternoon in back-to-back groups are five members of last year's Ryder Cup team. At 12:17, the pairing of Kenny Perry, Anthony Kim and Stewart Cink. Right behind them at 12:26, Phil Mickelson, Justin Leonard, and former Masters cChampion and 2009 Sony Open in Hawaii winner, Zach Johnson. I would definitely keep my eye on these groups. Monty may want to keep an eye on these guys!

Well off to the "Bird's Nest." That is something else you better not miss at the FBR Open. Unfortunately I can't comment on that here. But if you see me on the course, don't hesitate to ask me about it.

The one stat(s) you need to know

This will mark the second time Phil Mickelson has made his season debut at the FBR Open. In that previous opener in Scottsdale in 2003, he finished in a tie for ninth. While they didn't come in his initial starts of the season, Mickelson has two FBR Open titles to his credit -- 1996 and 2005. Dave Lancer, PGA TOUR

FEDEXCUP NOTES: ROUND 1
• There are 24 players that can potentially move into first with a victory at this week's FBR Open.

Imada

• The current FedExCup points leader, Zach Johnson has recorded four eagles in 2009. This already matches his total for the entire 2008 season.

• With two top-25 finishes in his first three starts, Ryuji Imada enters the FBR Open in 19th position in the FedExCup standings and could move into first with a victory.

• Anthony Kim started the year with a solid T2 finish at the Mercedes-Benz Championship and is currently tied for seventh in the FedExCup standings. He could move into first with a win this week.

• Kim has the power (11th in driving distance in 2008), and scoring capability (T3 in Scoring Average in 2008) to be successful at this event.

• Stewart Cink enters this week 33rd in the FedExCup standings and could move as high as second with a win. -- Mike Vitti, PGA TOUR Staff

The Film Room

	Nothing like it The par-3 16th hole at TPC Scottsdale will be fully enclosed for the first time this week. Watch it
	Opening Shot Marc Fein and Brian Katrek reflect on Pat Perez's win, and preview the return of Phil Mickelson and the wild scene expected on No. 16 at the FBR Open. Watch it
	FBR Open preview J.B. Holmes looks to defend his title as the PGA TOUR continues the West Coast Swing. Watch it