The Starter: Round 3, Transitions Championship

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Mar. 20, 2010

The third round of the Transitions Championship is under way. Here's a look at Saturday's round:

Groups We're Watching

Tee time	Players
1:15 p.m. ET No. 1		David Toms, Jonathan Byrd Toms is suffering from a shoulder injury and will need surgery soon, but can he win despite the pain?
1:35 p.m. ET, No. 1		Retief Goosen, Steve Stricker Goosen is the defending champ; Stricker is one of the top players in the world and already has a win in 2010.
1:55 p.m. ET No. 1		Padraig Harrington, Carl Pettersson Harrington hasn't won since the 2008 PGA Championship, so he's ready to end the winless drought.

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:

Saturday's forecast

Sunny
Temp: 75 high/57 low
Sunny. Winds around 7 mph.

What should you look for in the third round? Firmer, faster greens. I can tell you -- and the guys out here will back me up when I tell y'all this -- the greens here at the Copperhead Course are the firmest the TOUR has seen all year. It might be because this is the first time this year we have a course that hasn't been pounded by rain for weeks leading up to the event.

After his round Jim Furyk said the greens have already started to turn a brownish color but they're putting perfect. You're not going to see many balls come zipping back off the front of these greens, even with a wedge in the hands of the guys who can spin it better than anyone in the world.

The weather forecast for Saturday? No clouds, a high of 75 and winds from a different direction (SSE 7mph) then we've seen all week. Bring a tube of sunscreen and a ton of patience if you want to be leading after the third round.

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

Saturday's third round of the 2010 Transitions Championship will soon be under way. The weather for Round 3 is expected to be much like the weather in the first two rounds, which has had very little effect on the players' performances. However, these pleasant weather conditions have not kept the Copperhead course at the Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club from living up to its predicted bite. The toughest hole so far has been the par-4 445-yard 18th hole.

This uphill par four makes excellent use of the rolling hills, taking distance off the tee shot and forcing a blind approach shot into a hidden, elevated green. To land safely on this green, a player is going to have to successfully navigate an uphill lie for his approach shot. One of the toughest challenges of an uphill lie is choosing what club to use. It is known the ball will travel at a higher trajectory, ultimately decreasing the total distance. Try taking these steps to play an uphill lie with greater success. First, choose at least one extra club depending on the severity of the slope. Second, play the ball closer to your lead foot and position your shoulders to match the angle of the slope. Lastly, take a couple practice swings, get a feel for the shot, and execute.

The Film Room

	PGA TOUR Today Casey Black previews the action as the 2010 Transitions Championship moves into the weekend. Watch it
	Round 2 highlights Padraig Harrington has a 1-shot lead after the second round of the 2010 Transitions Championship at the Copperhead Course.Watch it
	Shot of the Day: Leonard's ace Justin Leonard makes an ace at the par-3 175-yard 13th hole during second round in Innisbrook, Fla. Watch it