The Starter: Round 3, Arnold Palmer Invitational

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Mar. 26, 2010

The third round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational is set to begin. Here's a look at Saturday's round:

Groups We're Watching

Tee time	Players
1:25 p.m. ET, No. 1		Phil Mickelson, Edoardo Molinari Mickelson was in classic form Friday. Can Lefty keep it going for his first win of 2010? Molinari carries Italy's hopes.
1:45 a.m. ET No. 1		Davis Love III, Ernie Els A superstar next-to-last pairing. Pars have been at a premium for Love, while Els has been hot in Florida.
1:55 p.m. ET, No. 1		Ben Curtis, D.J. Trahan A great weekend would be big for both. Trahan last won in 2008 and Curtis in 2006.

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

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

I love it when a prediction comes true. The big thunderstorms that were expected in the area did show up, but they came over night. Dumped a bunch of rain and then left before the sun came up.

Six under was again the best score of the day, and the lead is now 7 under going into the weekend. Forecast for tomorrow is for a zero percent chance of rain. What weather man would take that chance saying zero percent? You better be right because if it even gets cloudy tomorrow, me and some golfers are gonna come find you.

After talking to a bunch of the golfers here at Bay Hill, the reason the scoring has stayed the way it has is the greens. Firm, slow greens just confuse golfers, and they will continue to do so Saturday. Look for the lead to be 9 under. Have I been wrong yet?

INSTRUCTOR'S CORNER: Todd Jones, head instructor at the TOUR Academy, analyzes the playing conditions this week at Bay Hill.

Round 2 of the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard ended with four players tied atop the leaderboard at 7 under. D.J. Trahan, Ben Curtis, Davis Love, and Ernie Els have played their way to a one-shot lead going into the weekend.

Saturday's forecast

Sunny
Temp: 76 high/54 low
Little to no chance of rain. Winds 14 mph.

In a recent conversation with a veteran player, he mentioned to me that the key to contending at Bay Hill is to play the par-5s under par and the par-3s even for the week. If you take a look at the performance of those at the top you can see that they are doing just that. Look for this to be a key to contend for the championship come Sunday afternoon.

This is also a great rule of thumb for all who enjoy this awesome but challenging game. Strive to give yourself the best chance to score by taking advantage of the par-5s. Take the hole apart with your strengths. If the hole is a three-shot hole play it that way. Get the tee shot in play, lay up to a good yardage and be aggressive into the green by taking enough club to get the ball to the hole. On the par-3s always tee the ball up ensuring a perfect lie and then establish your yardage to the back of the green. Once again, this will guarantee that you have enough club to get the ball to the hole. Use this strategy and you could be contending for a championship of your own.

The Film Room

	PGA TOUR Today A star-studded leaderboard at the 2010 Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard includes Ernie Els, Phil Mickelson, Retief Goosen and Davis Love III. Casey Black previews the weekend. Watch it
	Round 2 highlights Ernie Els finishes with a second-round 3-under 69 and is one of four players tied for the lead at 7 under at the 2010 Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard. Watch it
	Shot of the Day: Mickelson Phil Mickelson holes out for eagle on the par-4 eighth hole during Round 2 of the 2010 Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard. Watch it