The Starter: Round 1, Northern Trust Open

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The first round of the Northern Trust Open is set to begin. The Golf Channel will televise live action beginning at 3 p.m. ET (12 p.m. local time).

Groups we're watching

Tee time Players   10:21 a.m. ET No. 10 Louis Oosthuizen, Zach Johnson, Geoff Ogilvy Oosthuizen makes his first start as a TOUR member alongside two other major champions. 10:21 a.m. ET No. 1 Jim Furyk, Matt Kuchar, Mark Wilson Jim Furyk represents the struggling Establishment in this week's Choosing Sides matchup. 10:32 a.m. ET No. 11 Steve Stricker, Dustin Johnson, D.A. Points How will D.A. Points adjust going from playing with Bill Murray to a slightly more reserved duo? 3:01 p.m. ET No. 10 Fred Couples, Bubba Watson, Anthony Kim This year's Presidents Cup captain gets a good look at two potential team members in our featured group. 3:54 p.m. ET No. 10 Corey Pavin, Jeff Overton, Ridkie Fowler Another team-themed group, Pavin captained the two 20-somethings in last year's Ryder Cup.

MORE ROUND 1: Tee times | Expert Picks | Power Rankings | ShotLink ins, outs of Riviera CC

STORYLINES FOR THURSDAY:
• Louis Oosthuizen and Robert Karlsson tee it up for the first time as TOUR members
• Members like Luke Donald, Paul Casey and Retief Goosen are making their 2011 debuts.
• Steve Stricker is back in the U.S. and ready for his title defense at Riviera Country Club.

Round 1 weather forecast

Cloudy Temp: 58 high/45 low Cloudy with winds around 5 mph and a 30 percent chance of afternoon showers.

Player notes

Here are some of the players you'll see on the Golf Channel's coverage of Thursday's first round

MATT KUCHAR No one on TOUR in 2010 was better in the opening round than Matt Kuchar. He played 22 of 25 opening rounds under par with an average of 69.28. Kuchar continues to lead the TOUR in opening round scoring in 2011 with an average of 66.67 (1st on TOUR). He has started 2011 right where he left off in 2010. Kuchar has carded three top 10s in his first three starts playing his first 13 consecutive rounds of the 2011 season under par. PHIL MICKELSON Mickelson won in back-to-back starts here in 2008 and 2009. In 2008, Lefty had a solid week with his irons ranking T-10th in the field for greens in regulation percentage (64 percent). The 2009 event was not much different as he hit 71 percent of the greens in regulation ranking T-9th in the field. LUKE DONALD Donald was the 2nd best putter on TOUR from four-to-eight feet in 2010 converting 75 percent of his efforts from this distance. Donald has three consecutive top-10 finishes at the Northern Trust Open playing his last 12 consecutive rounds at par or better at Riviera Country Club.