The Starter: Round 5, Bob Hope Classic

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The fifth round of the Bob Hope Classic is set to begin soon. Here's a look at Monday's round:

Groups We're Watching

Tee time Players   12:40 p.m. ET, Hole No. 1, Palmer Course Martin Flores, Matt Kuchar, Kevin Streelman Flores faltered a bit Sunday, while Kuchar and Streelman had two of the day's best rounds. They're three shots back. 12:50 p.m. ET, Hole No. 1, Palmer Course Tim Clark, Joe Ogilvie, Mike Weir Arguably the three most accomplished players at the top. Weir's won here before. Clark's looking for his first TOUR win. 1:00 p.m. ET, Hole No. 1, Palmer Course Bill Haas, Alex Prugh, Bubba Watson Prugh and Watson traded the weekend lead, while Haas has been consistent with three 66s. All are going for win No. 1.

MORE ROUND 5: Tee times | Inside the field | Inside the course

EXPERT PREVIEW: PGA TOUR NETWORK on-site correspondent Brett Wright previews Monday's fifth round:

Bubba Watson has had his opportunities to win on the PGA TOUR before and has yet to close the deal. On Monday in the final round, Watson will again have his chance to break through. The key to Watson winning will be distance control with his irons and his ability to make the putts inside 12 feet. He has done a great job with the distance control so far, and the putter has been good but not great. Whoever wins on Monday will have to putt great.

There are 20 players within seven strokes of the lead starting the final round. The Palmer Course has so many birdie opportunities that a 61, 60, or a 59 may be in the mix for some hot golfers on Monday. Watch for one of the players at 16 to 20 under to get hot early and be right in the mix. This 90-hole event is a marathon through the week, but Monday will be a true sprint. Kevin Streelman, who posted an 8-under 64 on the Palmer Course on Sunday, spoke about the final round: "I have to go out and keep making birdies and shoot 8 or 9 under to have a chance." Streelman will start three back at 20 under.

Monday's forecast

Sunny Temp: 66 high/35 low Sunny with light winds. • Latest weather

The two rookies that have been solid all week, Alex Prugh and Martin Flores, continued their fine play on Sunday. Prugh is tied for the lead with a total of 23 under. He is a confident rookie with clear vision who has not been intimidated or awed by his first season on the PGA TOUR. He is my pick to win on Monday. I believe that whether he wins or not, he will shoot a good score and make someone go very deep to catch him. Martin Flores struggled with a double bogey early in the fourth round but bounced back with some birdies and posted even 72 at La Quinta. Flores is starting the final round three behind leaders Prugh and Watson.

The golf course has dried out nicely this week, and without the added footprints of three amateurs in each group, the greens will roll smoother for longer. Players will be able to pick out a line and believe in it with these smoother surfaces. Look for more birdies than you can count on Monday and a true shootout. The weather will be great once again, and the outcome will be totally in the players' hands. Will it be a veteran like Watson, a rookie like Prugh, or a runner from the field like Brandt Snedeker? Do not miss this finish.

INSTRUCTOR'S CORNER: Alex Fisher, head instructor at the TOUR Academy at TPC Las Vegas, analyzes the playing conditions at the Bob Hope Classic.

On the eve of the final round of the Bob Hope Classic, Bubba Watson is in pretty good shape at 23 under, tied for the lead with Alex Prugh. Though he hasn't tasted victory first hand, his superior length off the tee will put him in a good position Monday.

Course management is going to be at a premium. Look for him to play conservative on the tougher holes and use his length advantage when he gets the opportunity. All of the par-5s will be reachable for him, and he'll be looking to pick up some shots on those holes.

One thing that most amateurs struggle with is playing smart. Hitting a driver off every hole or going for every pin that is tucked behind a bunker usually isn't the smartest play. Next time you're out on the golf course weigh up your options. How wide is the fairway? Can you hold the green? These are some of the obvious questions that you should ask yourself. If you don't think that you can pull off the shot and you're not committed, then there is a good chance that it isn't the best option. Fairways and greens are the keys to better scores. Be a "smart golfer" and keep the big numbers to a minimum.

The Film Room

PGA TOUR Today Joe Cowart updates action from the fourth round at the 2010 Bob Hope Classic where Bubba Watson and Alex Prugh are tied for the lead heading into championship Monday.Watch it Round 4 highlights Bubba Watson climbs back into a share of the lead, shooting a 3-under 69 on the Nicklaus Private course at PGA West during the fourth round of the 2010 Bob Hope Classic.Watch it Shot of the Day: Vinny Testaverde Vinny Testaverde drills this tee shot on the 15th hole during the fourth round of the 2010 Bob Hope Classic.Watch it

Thus far at the Bob Hope Classic

Round Leaders Low round Key links Shane Bertsch 62: Shane Bertsch Daily Wrap-up | The Live Report Bubba Watson 62: Bubba Watson Daily Wrap-up | The Live Report Transcripts Alex Prugh 63: Kevin Streelman Daily Wrap-up | The Live Report Alex Prugh, Bubba Watson 64: Michael Bradley, Ben Crane, Kevin Streelman Daily Wrap-up | The Live Report Transcripts

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