The Starter: Round 4, Bob Hope Classic

text size

Jan. 24, 2010

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

Players We're Watching

Tee time	Players
1:36 p.m. ET, Hole No. 1, Nicklaus Course		Bubba Watson Watson is only a shot back as he chases his first victory, but he will need to putt better -- he burned through 29 putts on Saturday.
11:57 a.m. ET, Hole No. 10, Silver Rock		Alex Prugh Prugh will have a hard task on Sunday; he plays Silver Rock, the longest course in the four-course Bob Hope Classic rotation.
1 p.m. ET, Hole No. 10, Silver Rock		Tim Clark Clark is five shots back, but the South African usually has a 65 in him, even at the 7,500-yard Silver Rock track.

MORE ROUND 3: Tee times | Inside the field | Inside the courses

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

Bubba Watson followed his brilliant 62 in the second round with a solid 68 in the third round. His score could have been better, but he struggled with the putter early on. Watson finds himself one stroke back of rookie Alex Prugh and tied with another rookie Martin Flores. Bubba Watson talked with me about the slow start with the putter on Saturday.

Sunday's forecast

Sunny
Temp: 66 high/47 low
Sunny with light winds.
• Latest weather

" I missed some early that I hit decent putts, they just didnt go in, and I made some good par putts to keep from losing a shot," Watson said.

Later in the round, Watson got the ball up and down at some key holes to keep the momentum going.

"Yeah, the one at 18 was one of my best ever," Watson said. "I hit that one and landed it right where I was trying to hit it and it bounced perfect out of the rough and just worked out great."

Watson joked about feeling naked out there without the rain gear he has been wearing all week. He continued that he might layer up for the finish! There is no lack of support for Watson this week, he is always involved with charities at PGA TOUR events, and we saw two signs today that read "We Lubba Bubba".

Bubba is striking the ball great -- look for the putter to get hot and Bubba to win his first PGA Tour event.

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

With all of the rain over the last few days the longer hitters have been able to take advantage of the softer conditions. Bubba Watson has averaged over 300 yards carry for the week and seeing that there is no run on the ball, he has had a significant advantage over the rest of the field.

PGA TOUR players nowadays use the latest launch monitor technology to calculate the optimal spin rate, launch angle, club head and ball speed to find the best driver for there swings. When you next get the chance to visit your local PGA Professional, have your driver checked out to see if you are maximizing your distance off of the tee. You never know, you could be robbing yourself of yardage off of the tee!

The Film Room

	PGA TOUR Today Joe Cowart previews fourth-round action at the 2010 Bob Hope Classic, where Alex Prugh holds a one-stroke lead over Bubba Watson and fellow rookie Martin Flores. Watch it
	Round 3 highlights Alex Prugh jockeyed for the lead spot during Saturday's round at the 2010 Bob Hope Classic, finally besting his competitors by shooting a 7-under-par 65, to get to 21 under. Watch it
	Shot of the Day: Chez Reavie Chez Reavie almost holes out from the fairway on the par-5 18th hole during the third 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 Transcripts