The Starter: Round 3, Waste Management Phoenix Open

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Feb. 26, 2010

NOTE: The second round of the Waste Management Phoenix Open was suspended by darkness. One player remains on the golf course -- Matt Every will come back at 7:30 a.m. local time (9:30 a.m. ET) to face a 4-footer for birdie that would take him to 9 under for the tournament. Tee times for the third round will begin at 8:40 a.m. local time (10:45 a.m. ET). Players will be sent off Nos. 1 and 10 in threesomes.

EXPERT PREVIEW: PGA TOUR NETWORK on-site correspondent Mark Carnevale previews Saturday's third round:

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Fast forward the top of the leaderboard heading into Round 3, and it could very well be a sign of the of the future. Five players in the top 10 are under the age of 30, and this could lead to some very exciting golf on Saturday.

These players at the top need to pay close attention, as some very good veterans lay in waiting, including 50-year-old Scottsdale resident Tom Lehman. Lehman told me earlier in the week if he is playing, no matter whether it is on the Champions Tour or PGA TOUR, he thinks he has a chance to win.

Saturday's forecast

Afternoon showers
Temp: 73 high/50 low
Afternoon showers with winds from the southeast at 15 mph.

One deciding factor for the third round could be the forecast of high winds on Saturday. This will be a huge factor in scoring as there is very little on the TPC Scottsdale course to stop it. One player just outside the top 10 to pay attention to is Robert Allenby. He is looking for his first win since 2001. The Australian is very proficient in the wind, so look for him to have a good solid round on Saturday.

Expect huge crowds for the third round. With rain and wind forecasted for Saturday, don't expect the elements to deter the frantic fans of the Waste Management Phoenix Open.

INSTRUCTOR'S CORNER: John Stahlschmidt, head instructor at the TOUR Academy at TPC Scottsdale, analyzes the playing conditions at the Waste Management Phoenix Open.

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At the end of Round 2, there is a mixture of the young guns and elder statesmen atop the leaderboard at TPC Scottsdale. As expected, the bombers are flourishing under sunny skies and warm temperatures. The weather is expected to change going into Round 3. A cold front is expected to move in early Saturday morning, bringing potential rain and cooler temps.

There is an art to playing in these types of less than ideal conditions. For starters, it is imperative to keep your hands warm. Those that want to make an early run at the leaders on Moving Day must take necessary precautions such as arming themselves with extra layers and hand warmers.

With rain at some point throughout the day being likely, it is important to also pack plenty of gloves and towels. Nothing is more difficult than overcoming wet cold hands and grips.

If these conditions exist as forecasted, watch for the players to cool off a bit as I predict the leaders to only improve a few shots to par from the second round.

The Film Room
PGA TOUR TODAY
Casey Black previews Saturday's third round at TPC Scottsdale, where Camilo Villegas and Mark Wilson share the lead at 11 under after two rounds. Watch it
Round 2 Highlights: Waste Management Phoenix Open
Mark Wilson and Camilo Villegas share the lead after two rounds at TPC Scottsdale, where 11 players are within two shots of the lead. Watch it
Interview: Braxton Marquez
Braxton Marquez inspired the golf world with his great performance by making the cut at the 2010 Waste Management Phoenix Open. Listen
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