The Starter, Round 1: HP Byron Nelson Championship

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May. 19, 2010

The first round of the HP Byron Nelson Championship is set to begin. Here's a look at Thursday's round:

Groups We're Watching

Tee time	Players
8:53 a.m. ET No. 1		Dustin Johnson, Brian Gay, Justin Leonard Gay and Leonard are both Texans, but neither has ever won the HP Byron Nelson. Johnson is looking for his second win this year.
1:38 p.m. ET, No. 1		Hunter Mahan, Vijay Singh, Andres Romero Singh needs to play well to avoid U.S. Open qualifying, while Mahan is coming off three straight top-20s.
1:29 p.m. ET, No. 10		Stewart Cink, Pat Perez, J.B. Holmes Cink has missed three of his last four cuts, Perez two of his last three. Holmes also needs a strong finish to make the U.S. Open.

MORE ROUND 1: Tee times | Inside the field | Inside the course

DRIVABLE PAR-4: So how many players will try to drive the 323-yard par-4 11th hole this week? Maybe not as many as you think. A year ago, just 30 percent of the field tried to drive the green (139 out of 457 tee shots) -- that percentage ranked just 22nd among drivable par-4s on TOUR in 2009. But if you did go for it, you certainly raised your chances of a better score. Those players who drive the par-4 averaged 3.5 strokes, compared to 4.05 for those who did not.

MAHAN'S APPROACH: Asked about his mindset when he steps to the 11th hole, Hunter Mahan said will be "try to be as aggressive as I can, unless the greens get too hard." Obviously, pin location and winds -- always a factor in Texas -- will determine who wants to take a chance on this risk/reward hole. Most players will opt to aim right off the tee in order to avoid the water down the left-hand side, then use a wedge to the green.

GOING FOR IT: But if the players are cautious at the 11th, they likely will be extra aggressive on the two par-5s -- the seventh and 16th -- at the TPC Four Seasons Resort course. A year ago, the course had the TOUR's fourth highest go-for-green percentage on its par 5s at 70.79 percent. -- Mike McAllister

INSTRUCTOR'S CORNER: Travis Fulton, TOURAcademy Director of Instruction, analyzes the playing conditions this week:

After a great week at the Valero Texas Open in San Antonio the PGA TOUR takes a short trip to Irving, Texas for the HP Byron Nelson Championship. The TPC Four Seasons Las Colinas will play host this week. At nearly 7,200 yards long and a par 70 this is always a wonderful test of golf, not to mention it has Lord Byron's name on it.

Thursday's forecast

Scattered t-storms
Temp: 87 high/69 low
A 50 percent chance of a t-storm. Winds around 14 mph.

With the length of the course this week and taking a look at past champions (Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Adam Scott and Brett Wetterich), length off the tee will most likely play an integral role in determining this week's winner. Players in this week's field I feel like: Hunter Mahan, who is the highest ranked player in the field; J.B. Holmes; and Dustin Johnson. With Holmes and Johnson ranking in the top 5 on the TOUR in driving distance and Mahan as good an all-around player as he is, it will be fun to watch.

When teaching driving at the TOUR Academies, most poor drives never have a chance due to a poor set-up. The driver set-up is different than that of an iron set-up because the driver is much longer, has less loft and meets the ball at the low point of the swing arc. You will notice the driver's shaft sits on a flatter angle than that of an iron. This difference in shaft angle will pre-set a slightly shallower angle approach into impact. Setting up properly will assist this in occurring. Here are a few key points to remember when setting up to the driver:

• Have your stance width at least shoulder width apart.

• Ball positioned slightly inside your left heel opposite left shoulder

• Hands are inline or slightly behind the ball

• Shoulders and forearms square at address

• Arms and hands are relaxed

• Set your head and spine slightly behind the ball.

Follow these steps to a good set-up and you will begin to see your drives flying further and straighter than before. So this week let's all tune in to the HP Byron Nelson Championship and watch the best in the world tee it high and let it fly.

The Film Room

	PGA TOUR Today The PGA TOUR continues the Texas Swing with this week's HP Byron Nelson Championship. Casey Black previews the field. Watch it
	Interview: Hunter Mahan Hunter Mahan talks about how TPC Four Seasons Las Colinas has matured and is in perfect condition. Watch it
	Interview: Rory Sabbatini Defending champion Rory Sabbatini on how he can visualize the course well, and that the legacy of Byron Nelson makes it an honor for him to play. Watch it