The Starter: Round 3, Sony Open in Hawaii

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Jan. 16, 2010

The third round of the Sony Open in Hawaii is set to begin soon. Here's a look at Saturday's round:

Groups We're Watching

Tee time	Players
5:55 p.m. ET, Hole No. 1		Angel Cabrera, Paul Goydos The big-hitting Argentine is paired up with banjo-hitting Goydos in the third round, and both are within four shots of the lead.
6:22 p.m. ET, Hole No. 1		John Merrick, Steve Stricker Stricker has continued to roll after his strong weekend at Kapalua -- he's only two back after a 66-67 start at Waialae Country Club.
6:40 p.m. ET, Hole No. 1		Ryan Palmer, Robert Allenby A lot of Aussies are playing well because they spent December playing events in their homeland. Allenby is gunning for his first win since '01.

MORE ROUND 2: Tee times | Inside the field | Inside the course | Field analysis

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

You get the feeling Robert Allenby will go as far as his putter will take him this weekend. The Australian finished 182nd on the PGA TOUR last season in putting but has a renewed confidence this week. Allenby made a 10-foot putt for par on his very first hole Thursday and has taken 28 and 26 putts in his first two rounds. If that putter continues to perform, Allenby will be a tough player to beat this weekend.

Saturday's forecast

Mostly sunny
Temp: 82 high/68 low
Sunny with winds around 10 mph.

The future of televised golf was on display Friday at the Sony Open. In a small broadcast booth by the third airway, Sony was testing its 3-D equipment. The 2011 Sony Open broadcast is expected to be totally 3-D. No new television sets are required but viewers will be asked to wear special glasses to view the 3-D broadcast in their homes. The new technology gives viewers the chance to see actual depth during a broadcast, they'll be able to recognize contours in the course.

If you'd like to play an extreme case of "connect the dots" you can make the argument Ryan Palmer has been destined to win in Hawaii since his high school days in Amarillo. Hawaii is noted for its sand. Palmer went to Amarillo High School. Amarillo High is nicknamed "The Golden Sandstorm." The sand of West Texas meets the sand of Waialae. A Sandie alumnus, Ryan Palmer, storms the beaches of Honolulu to win the Sony Open this weekend? I can see it.

INSTRUCTOR'S CORNER: Todd Jones, head instructor at the TOUR Academy, analyzes the playing conditions at Waialae Country Club.

The second round of the Sony Open was a test of patience, as the wind continued to be a huge factor. Steve Stricker turned in a solid bogey-free round of 67 to back up an opening round of 66. He sits at 7 under par and near the top of the leaderboard. Steve is a disciplined player who is meticulous with his pre-shot routine, which allows him to stay focused in difficult conditions.

A good pre-shot routine ensures that the player is completely focused on the task at hand while emphasizing what they "want to do" with the shot. You will see a player completely restart their routine if it is interrupted or their focus wanes. For all players the routine is honed in practice and becomes automatic with consistent training. That means that when the best players in the world practice they are often doing so utilizing their complete routine.

Make it a point to attend a PGA TOUR event in 2010, once inside the grounds make sure you visit the practice tee to see how the players prepare to compete. Watch and learn as they practice like they play. In the mean time look for the players focus continue to be challenged in Round 3 as the wind appears to be part of golf in Hawaii.

Thus far at Waialae

Round	Leaders	Low round (par 70)	Key links
	Ryan Palmer (9 under)	63: Paul Goydos	Daily Wrap-up \| The Live Report Transcripts
Round	Leaders	Low round (par 70)	Key links
	R. Palmer, Z. Johnson, D. Love, T. Merritt, J. Merrick, R. Allenby	65: Six players	Daily Wrap-up \| The Live Report Transcripts

The Film Room

	PGA TOUR Today: Round 1 John Swantek sets up the third round, where Ryan Palmer has a one-shot lead. Defending champion Zach Johnson is only a shot back. Watch it
	Round 2: Highlights Stiff winds led to a bunched field in the Sony Open, where a dozen players are within four shots of the lead heading into the weekend in Hawaii. Watch it
	Shot of the Day: Fujikawa Honolulu native Tadd Fujikawa chips in for birdie on the par-4 eighth during the second round. Watch it