The Starter: Round 3, Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals

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Oct. 23, 2010

The third round of the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open is set to begin Saturday. Here's a preview:

Groups we're watching:

Tee time	Players
3:35 p.m. ET No. 1		John Senden, George McNeill Their last victories were in 2006 and 2007 respectively but this duo has more than 20 top-10 finishes since those wins.
3:45 p.m. ET No. 1		Alex Prugh, Martin Laird Prugh finds himself in contention for the second consecutive week, Laird for the second straight year.
3:55 p.m. ET No. 1		Jonathan Byrd, Ryuji Imada If they play like they did in Round 2 again today, they could run away from the pack.

MORE ROUND 2: Tee times | Inside the field | Inside the course | Transcripts

EXPERT PREVIEW: PGA TOUR Network on-site correspondent Brett Wright previews Saturday's action:

There are only two cardinal rules while broadcasting inside the ropes on the PGA TOUR Network and they are "Never spook a player." and "Never spook a player!" Every broadcaster's nightmare is to actually be heard by a player during play. Earlier in the second round while calling a Spencer Levin putt, Webb Simpson who had holed out and walked off the green started giving me the quiet sign - the finger over the lips indicating that I was too loud. I finished the call and turned to Simpson and said "could you hear me?" and Simpson laughed and said "Gotcha" while giving me five. I owe you one, Webb...

Saturday's forecast

Partly Cloudy
Temp: 71 high/55 low
Chance of precipitation 20 percent. Winds from SW around 8 mph.

I was tracking Jonathan Byrd, the overnight leader, on his second nine in Round 2. Byrd was throwing darts at flagsticks all day and at the par-4 seventh, he almost holed out his wedge shot and had four feet for a birdie to tie for the lead. As Byrd approached the green, I told him nice shot and he said "now make it." I immediately said I already gave it to you. Byrd made the putt and I was off the hook for the early call. Byrd has been playing well, making 11 of his last 12 cuts, and posting two top tens -- really turning it on. Look for JB to continue to take it low today and Sunday. I say the "Byrd Man from Sea Island" will win this week. That's another early call. Help me again, JB.

Rich Beem will not be featured during the weekend here in Las Vegas. Beem last played in April at the Shell Houston Open, then was sidelined after undergoing back surgery to repair damage to his C6 and C7 vertebrae. While Beem was expected to only miss 6 weeks, rehabilitation issues caused the layoff to encompass most of the 2010 PGA TOUR season.

Beemer, one of many colorful personalities out here on TOUR, shot 72-76 and missed the cut. Welcome back Beemer -- we've missed you.

Michael Letzig is at 10 under par after rounds of 64-68. Letzig had chances on Nos. 14 and 15 to increase his birdie count, but his putter became balky. Letzig told me after the round that he is just mis-hitting putts and has been doing this for a few weeks. His ball striking is as good as anyone in the field this week and he will be tough if the flatstick is worked out today.

Eric Hastings has a great record as a TOUR caddie. He has a second-place finish last week in the Frys.com Open with Alex Prugh. Alex's regular caddy Zack Bixler is preparing for his own run at the PGA TOUR qualifying school, and is off playing and practicing right now. Hastings, a longtime friend of Prugh just like Bixler, is excited about the hot start. I have talked to Alex and Bixler and Hastings this year, and it looks as if Team Prugh is deep. Good Luck Zack.

The Film Room

	PGA TOUR Today, October 23, 2010 Low scores in Las Vegas produced a jam-packed leaderboard at the 2010 Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open. John Swantek breaks down this week's PGA TOUR Fall Series event heading to the weekend. Watch it
	Round 2 Highlights Jonathan Byrd has the 36-hole lead after a great day for scoring at TPC Summerlin. Watch it
	Shot of the Day: Alex Prugh Alex Prugh drained a 42-footer for eagle. Watch it