The Starter: Round 1, Transitions Championship

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Mar. 18, 2010

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

Groups We're Watching

Tee time	Players
8:27 a.m. ET No. 1		Lucas Glover, Retief Goosen, Jeff Maggert Two major winners. Glover's won this year. Goosen is the defending champ. Maggert played well in Puerto Rico.
8:27 a.m. ET, No. 10		Bill Haas, Derek Lamely, Steve Stricker Three 2010 winners. Haas and Lamely look to build up career seasons, while Stricker defends his FedExCup lead.
1:12 p.m. ET, No. 10		Stewart Cink, Padraig Harrington, Kenny Perry It's early, but Cink and Perry have yet to post a top-25 in a '10 full-field week. Harrington's back from a presidential visit.

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

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

It's the hardest golf course of the four in the Florida Swing, and every guy who's played them all will tell you the same thing. Hills in Florida? Yeah man! And lots of wind coming through the trees that drives golfers nuts on club selection.

Thursday's forecast

Sunny
Temp: 67 high/51 low
Sunny with a low chance of rain. Winds 13 mph.

If that's not bad enough, how are you gonna concentrate when some of the New York Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies are walking around watching you play? We're that close to their spring training facilities that on their days off, they'll be coming over here before and after they get their own rounds in.

Get through all those distractions and a part of the golf course (16th-18th) called "The Snake Pit" and you could win the Transitions Championship. All but one will be trying to get the "venom" out by the end of the week.

INSTRUCTOR'S CORNER: Steve Voguit, head instructor at the TOUR Academy at World Golf Village, analyzes the playing conditions this week.

Round 1 of the 2010 Transitions Championship at the Innisbrook Golf and Spa Resort is upon us, where Retief Goosen is looking to defend his 2009 title and secure his first PGA TOUR victory of the 2010 season. The weather for Thursday is forecast to be very pleasant, with temperatures in the mid-60s and sunny skies. The wind is expected to remain around 10 mph, which will have very little effect on the players during round one. The most difficult challenge of the Copperhead remains in the different type of lies a player will obtain for their approach shots. The most difficult lie of them all is the dreaded downhill lie.

This is one lie that even the top players in the world will avoid at all costs. Our first step is to acknowledge that, as a result of the slope, this ball will definitely travel at a lower trajectory, thus making it very difficult to carry any trouble that may lie ahead. Once you have determined your game plan, try taking these steps to successfully strike a shot from a downhill lie: Grip down slightly on the club while placing the ball back in your stance. Second, match your shoulders to the level of the slope, forcing your weight to favor your lower foot. Lastly, make several practice swings at 75 percent effort with your main focus on extending your arms down the slope of the hill.

The Film Room

	Preview: Transitions Championship Retief Goosen looks to defend his title as the PGA TOUR heads to Innisbrook, Fla., and the Copperhead Course at Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club for the 2010 Transitions Championship. Watch it
	Fantasy Insider Need help with your fantasy picks for the 2010 Transitions Championship? John Swantek and the Fantasy Insider can help. Watch it
	Interview: Retief Goosen Retief Goosen tells the 2010 Transitions Championship media he is feeling more confident after working on his game and that the Copperhead course at Innisbrook Resort fits his eye. Watch it