Kodak Challenge preview: Frys.com Open

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Troy Merritt enters this week's Frys.com Open with a share of the Kodak Challenge lead.

SAN MARTIN, Calif. -- The leaders in the Kodak Challenge will have an easy time keeping tabs on each other this week at the Frys.com Open.

Rickie Fowler and Troy Merritt, co-leaders in the $1 million Kodak Challenge competition, will play in the same group during the first two rounds of this week's PGA TOUR event, which begins Thursday at the CordeValle Golf Club in San Martin, Calif.

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Merritt and Fowler, currently tied at 14-under in the season-long PGA TOUR competition, will be joined in their playing group by current Kodak Challenge runner-up, Tim Petrovic, who is just one stroke off the lead. The threesome is scheduled to tee off in Thursday's first round on the 10th hole at 10:40 a.m. ET (7:40 a.m. local time).

The Kodak Challenge hole this week is the drivable par-4 17th.

Fowler has held at least a share of the Kodak Challenge lead since posting a birdie on the final hole of the Verizon Heritage on April 18.

Merritt, who has birdied eight consecutive Kodak Challenge holes, joined Fowler atop the leaderboard with a birdie on the 13th hole at The McGladrey Classic last week.

In addition to Fowler and Merritt, this week's field at the Frys.com Open includes 12 PGA TOUR pros within three strokes of the lead.

The Frys.com Open is just one of three holes left in the chase for the Kodak Challenge $1 million winner-take-all prize. The competition concludes on the 17th hole at the Children's Miracle Network Classic on Nov. 11-14.

THIS WEEK'S KODAK SLEEPER: Watch out for Aaron Baddeley, who is two strokes off the lead but has a bogey on his card that he can replace this week.

The Kodak Challenge records a player's best 18 Kodak Challenge hole scores. Once a player reaches 18 holes, subsequent holes (beyond 18) provide the opportunity to replace bogeys and pars on their Kodak Challenge scorecards.

Baddeley can easily move up one stroke (with a par) or two strokes (with a birdie) this week. An eagle could net him a three-shot swing and the Kodak Challenge lead.

ABOUT THE 17TH HOLE: The 17th at CordeValle is a short, drivable par 4 of 358 yards. The green is receptive to a long shot for the back of it is bowl shaped, causing balls to roll toward the center of the green. The picturesque hole is fronted by a lake short, right by the magnificent Clos la Chance Winery in the back.

Will the tees be moved up on the weekend to provide more scoring opportunities? Stay tuned.

KODAK FAN PHOTO ZONE: The Kodak Fan Photo Zone at the Frys.com Open will enable fans to have their picture taken at a specified location overlooking CordeValle's scenic championship golf course. The Kodak Fan Photo Zone is open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. local time Thursday through Sunday.