Apr. 27, 2011
The first round of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans is set to begin. The Golf Channel will televise live action beginning at 3 p.m. ET (2 p.m. local time).
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| Groups we're watching |
| Tee time |
Players |
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8:40 a.m. ET
No. 10 |
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Justin Rose, Camilo Villegas, Vijay Singh
Rose is a perfect 8-for-8 in cuts made on TOUR this season while Villegas (6-for-10 with no top 25s) has struggled.
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8:50 a.m. ET
No. 10 |
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Brandt Snedeker, Nick Watney, David Toms
Snedeker, who won last week at Harbour Town, represents the New Breed against Toms and the Establishment.
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1:20 p.m. ET
No. 1 |
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Carl Pettersson, Jason Bohn, John Rollins
Bohn returns to defend his title after posting an 18 under total and winning by two last year at TPC Louisiana.
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1:30 p.m. ET
No. 1 |
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Luke Donald, Graeme McDowell, K.J. Choi
Still at No. 3 in the Official World Golf Ranking, Donald has chances to move up. He'll be pushed by two strong vets.
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1:40 p.m. ET
No. 1 |
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Bubba Watson, Steve Stricker, Ben Crane
This week's Featured Group includes three of the USA's top golfers, each with a unique approach and multiple wins.
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STORYLINES FOR THURSDAY:
• There's still time to submit your picks before the Zurich Classic tees off.
• This week marks the midway point of the Regular Season. We've reviewed the first half.
• Graeme McDowell is enjoying his return to New Orleans and hopes his game holds up at TPC Louisiana.
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| Round 1 weather forecast |
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Mostly Sunny
Temp: 81 high/60 low
Mostly sunny with winds around 15 mph. |
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| ShotLink Player notes |
| Here are some of the players you'll see on the Golf Channel's coverage of Thursday's first round |
| BUBBA WATSON |
Watson currently ranks second on TOUR in both driving distance (308.2 yards) and greens in regulation (73%). He also ranks third on TOUR for total driving and second for ball striking. Watson currently leads the TOUR in par 5 scoring (4.46 - 1st on TOUR) thanks in large part to his TOUR-leading aggressiveness. Bubba currently leads the TOUR in the going for it stat, going for the green 79 percent of the time on par 5s and reachable par 4s.
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| STEVE STRICKER |
Stricker currently leads the TOUR with the longest active streak without missing a cut. Strickers last missed cut came at the 2009 Barclays (30 consecutive cuts made). His wedge game, short game and putting continue to be the key to his success on TOUR. He currently leads on TOUR on approach shots inside 125 yards (12'7"), is tied for seventh in scrambling, third for one-putts, and eighth when putting from 4 to 8 feet.
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| LUKE DONALD |
| Luke Donald lost on the third playoff hole to Brandt Snedeker at last weeks Heritage. Donald currently sits just 63 points behind leader Mark Wilson in the FedExCup standings. He would have moved to No. 1 in the standings had he won last week. Donald has now carded five top 10s in his six starts on TOUR this season. Including the 2010 PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedExCup he now has three runner-up finishes in his last 9 starts on TOUR. |
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