The Starter, Round 4: RBC Canadian Open

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Jul. 24, 2010

The final round of the RBC Canadian Open tees off Sunday. Here's a preview:

Groups We're Watching

Tee time	Players
1:45 p.m. ET, No. 1		Dean Wilson, Carl Pettersson Dean Wilson can get his card back with a decent round Sunday, but he is facing a hot player after Pettersson's 60 .
1:35 p.m. ET No. 1		Tim Clark, Bob Estes Random fact: These two guys have only 16 letters combined in their names, or one fewer than Brent Delahoussaye has in his.
1:25 p.m. ET, No. 1		Bryce Molder, Trevor Immelman Immleman shot a 65 on Saturday, futher proof that the injuries that affected him after the Masters are a thing of the past.

MORE ROUND 4: Tee times | Inside the field | Inside the course

EXPERT PREVIEW: PGA TOUR NETWORK on-site correspondent Bob Stevens previews Round 4:

Beware the pitcher who claims he had "nothing" in the bullpen warming up. Carl Pettersson's caddie told my colleague Bill Rosinski that Pettersson had "nothing" on the driving range before shooting his course record 60 Saturday. Pettersson himself was bemused by his 1 over start before going on fire the rest of the round. He told me afterward that his 30 footer for a 59 had much less pressure on it than the 9-footer he had to make at the same hole for par on Friday -- just to make the cut. We'll be checking the range for an early starter with "nothing" before the final round!

Sunday's forecast

Scattered thunderstorms
Temp: 80 high/63 low
Chance of precipitation: 50 percent. Chance of showers early. Winds around 15 mph.

Players are fond of saying that when you win on the PGA TOUR, its because its just "your" week. This might just be Dean Wilson's week. His status as a past champion puts him far down the priority list for playing spots. He's regularly an alternate and told me he often comes to the course on Thursday not sure if he's in or out. He's only made nine starts all year, but got a late sponsor's exemption from the RBC Canadian Open so he could actually plan a schedule and know his tee times ahead of the first shots being fired. It has certainly helped, and so has the consistency of hitting 13 of 18 greens every day, needing only 26 putts every day (best in the field) and shooting 65 every day. He'd probably sign for 13, 26 and 65 one more time. If he does, he'll be hoisting the trophy after the final round.

After a soaking Saturday, conditions are expected to be perfect for the final round, with the front that came through leaving behind temperatures that might not even hit 80 degrees, and no more rain. The course drains exceedingly well, holding the half-inch that fell during play Saturday, and the rough will be just that much longer and thicker to bedevil players in the final round.

INSTRUCTOR'S CORNER: Shane Gillespie, head instructor at TOUR Academy Orlando, analyzes the playing conditions this week:

Looking at Round 3 of the RBC Canadian Open, Carl Pettersson's 60 clearly stands out. As I discussed in yesterday's article, putting was the key to the low scores in Rounds 1 and 2. Mr. Pettersson followed that trend by using only 24 putts to break the course and tournament scoring record. He had an amazing 1.357 putts per green in regulation.

Another aspect of Round 3 of the RBC Canadian Open was the rain that many players had to play through. While a player cannot control the rain, he can control whether he is prepared to deal with it thus, maximizing his chances of playing well in the wet conditions. Here are a few suggestions to help you "weather the storm" when the rains come during your round. If there is any chance of rain in the forecast, pack your rain suit and umbrella. Keeping your body and clothes dry will allow you to remain comfortable throughout the round. Your umbrella will help you keep your clubs covered and dry as well. Notice how the caddies on the PGA TOUR hang towels under the umbrella to keep them dry so they can dry off the grips of the clubs and the players can also dry off their hands. Also, store some extra gloves, towels and perhaps an extra pair of socks in a plastic zip lock bag. This will keep them dry no matter how harsh the conditions are and you will be able to pull them out for use during your round. Also, a player can control their thoughts during a rain storm. Instead of focusing on the negative aspects of the rain, focus on the fact that the greens will be softer and you will be able to "stick" more shots close to the pin. Winning takes preparation. Are you prepared to win?

The Film Room

	Round 3 Highlights: RBC Canadian Open Dean Wilson distanced himself from the field, getting to 15-under, on a wet and rainy day at the 2010 RBC Canadian Open. Watch it
	Round 3: Shot of the Day Carl Pettersson sets himself up with a putt from the fringe on the 18th hole to shoot a 59 during the third round of the 2010 RBC Canadian Open, his eventual 60 was a course record. Watch it
	Wilson leads at 15-under Dean Wilson talks to Bob Stevens from the PGA TOUR Network on SIRIUS XM Radio. Watch it