The Starter: Round 4, Waste Management Phoenix Open

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Feb. 28, 2010

Here's a look at what to expect in Sunday's final round.

Groups We're Watching

Tee time	Players
2 p.m. ET, No. 1		Brandt Snedeker, Scott Piercy, Matt Every Snedeker has the most experience of the group and will be trying for his second career win.
1:50 p.m. ET, No. 1		Rickie Fowler, Camilo Villegas, Mark Calcavecchia Fowler and Villegas begin the final round two and three shots back, respectively, but both have gone low this week.
1:50 p.m. ET, No. 10		J.B. Holmes, Phil Mickelson, Scott Verplank This might be the day's most popular group with the long-hitting Holmes and local favorite Mickelson.

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

Sunday's forecast

Morning showers
Temp: 59 high/46 low
Morning showers with some afternoon sunshine and winds from the southwest at 10 mph.

What an opportunity the players at the top of the leaderboard will have Sunday. The top four players have one combined victory on the PGA TOUR and three years experience for Brandt Snedeker, one year for Scott Piercy and almost zero for rookies Matt Every and Rickie Fowler. Lurking right behind them, though, is veteran and three-time Waste Management Phoenix Open champion Mark Calcavecchia. Don't forget, Calc has been on TOUR for 20 years. All this being said there will be some nerves for the four young players at the top. They will need to be focused and not get caught up in the moment or there is a good chance someone will catch them.

The weather is supposed to be very favorable, so look for some good scoring and low rounds.

I spoke with Scott Piercy after his round on Saturday. Scott was in a similar position in this event last year. He played in the final pairing with eventual winner Kenny Perry. I asked him what he learned in his year on TOUR and from the chances he has had to win golf tournaments. He said he paid attention to what Kenny did during the final round. He indicated when he has been in this position before, he got really quick with things on the course. He will take that into the final round. It is amazing how quickly these players learn, despite this only being Scott's second year on TOUR. No matter what the outcome is, I it should be exciting with lots of birdies and lots of roars ringing throughout the course.

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

As predicted, the leaders struggled in the third round of the Waste Management Phoenix Open due to windy conditions. The real low rounds of day came from the earlier starters. Scott Piercy shot a 6-under 65 and Brandt Snedeker a 66. Brandt holds the 54-hole lead at 14 under.

The final round should prove to be exciting as the weather is expected to worsen. Lower temps and rain are predicted for the final round. A total of 30 players are within six shots of the lead. Watch for someone from a few shots back to make an early move and contend for the title.

The eventual winner is going to have to display patience and understand that, if the conditions are less than ideal, they are not in them alone.

My prediction: Rickie Fowler. Rickie played well in last year's Frys.com Open at nearby Grayhawk Golf Club and has shown signs that he is ready to win. If the weather forecast is accuarte, watch for the players to cool off a bit as I predict the leaders to only improve a few shots.

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