May. 14, 2011
The third round of THE PLAYERS Championship is set to begin. NBC will televise live action beginning at 2 p.m. ET .
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| Groups we're watching |
| Tee time |
Players |
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11:35 a.m. ET
No. 1 |
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Phil Mickelson, Martin Laird
Mickelson, the 2007 champion, and Laird are paired together for the third straight day at TPC Sawgrass. Will one of them make a move on Moving Day?
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2:34 p.m. ET
No. 1 |
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Graeme McDowell, Steve Stricker
Both sit at 8 under through two rounds. Will McDowell, the 2010 U.S. Open champion, or Stricker return to the top this week?
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2:45 p.m. ET
No. 1 |
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Nick Watney, David Toms
Toms is leading at THE PLAYERS after two rounds, but Watney lurks just one shot behind at TPC Sawgrass.
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STORYLINES FOR SATURDAY:
• Graeme McDowell returns from "rock bottom" with new golf swing at TPC Sawgrass.
• Matteo Manassero, 18, makes the cut at THE PLAYERS.
• Carnage at No. 17? How many golf balls landed in the water on Friday?
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| Round 3 weather forecast |
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Afternoon thunderstorms
Temp: 84 high/69 low
40 percent chance of rain, with WSW winds around 14 mph. |
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| Player notes |
| Here are some of the players you'll see on the Golf Channel's coverage of Saturday's third round |
| PHIL MICKELSON |
Mickelson started his second round at the TPC Sawgrass at The PLAYERS Championship with a 5-under 31 on the back nine. Mickelson's second nine, the front nine on the course, did not go as well and he shot a 4-over 40. The last time Mickelson increased his score by at least nine shots from his first nine holes through his second nine was over ten years ago in the final round of the Mercedes Championships in January of 2001. In the final round of the 2001 Mercedes Championships, Mickelson shot a first nine 32 and a back nine 41.
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| DAVID TOMS |
Toms is playing well through two rounds at THE PLAYERS Championship; he's had twelve birdies and two bogeys so far this week. The last time Toms had at least twelve par breakers and two or fewer holes played over par through two rounds in a four round stroke-play event was at the 2006 Ford Championship at Doral. Since 2000, Toms has accomplished this feat six times, finishing inside the top six every time.
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| LUKE DONALD |
| Donald has played two rounds at THE PLAYERS Championship without making a bogey. The last player to accomplish this at TPC Sawgrass through two rounds was Jerry Kelly in 2004. In the last 15 years at the TPC Sawgrass the only other player to play the first two rounds without a bogey was Skip Kendall in 2003. Luke Donald has played the first two rounds of a PGA TOUR event without a bogey only one other time in his career -- the 2003 Phoenix Open. |
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