Jul. 21, 2011
The first round of the RBC Canadian Open is set to begin. The Golf Channel will televise live action on Friday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. ET, and replay coverage from 8:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. ET.
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| Groups we're watching |
| Tee time |
Players |
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7:30 a.m. ET
No. 10 |
   |
Ben Crane, Stephen Ames, Ryan Moore
Ames and Moore should feel at home in Vancouver. Ames is the last Canadian to win on TOUR (2009 Children's Miracle Network Classic), while Moore grew up in nearby Seattle.
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10:30 a.m. ET
No. 1 |
   |
Charl Schwartzel, Ernie Els, Paul Casey
Schwartzel is paired with his mentor, Els. Casey and Els are the only two players outside the top 125 in the FedExCup standings who competed in last year's TOUR Championship.
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10:40 a.m. ET
No. 1 |
   |
Lucas Glover, Anthony Kim, Rickie Fowler
This week's Featured Group includes three top Americans known to thrive in tough conditions. Look for one or more of these players to have a chance to win on Sunday.
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3:50 p.m. p.m. ET
No. 1 |
   |
Luke Donald, Matt Kuchar, Mike Weir
Donald is having a big season, while Kuchar has been the most consistent American. Weir's game has been sluggish in 2011, but he's played well here in the past.
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WHAT TO WATCH IN ROUND 1
• Canadians in the field: There are 17 homegrown players in this week's $5.2-million event. There will be large crowds for Canadian golf heroes Mike Weir and Stephen Ames, but don't overlook young Canadians like PGA TOUR Rookie Matt McQuillan, or Matt Hill and Adam Hadwin.
• FedExCup bubble: There are 20 players in the field this week that find themselves in volatile FedExCup territory, between 110th and 140th in points. Steven Bowditch (No. 126) and Calgary native Stephen Ames (No. 128) are among the players that hope to move into the security of the top 125 this week.
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| Round 1 weather forecast |
 |
Partly cloudy
Temp: 68 high/57 low
Overcast. Winds around 6 mph. |
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| Here are some of the players you'll see during Thursday's coverage on the Golf Channel: |
| SPENCER LEVIN |
| Spencer Levin has 10 top-25s in 21 starts, including a T4 at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, which is played on greens similar to Shaughnessy's. He ranks 39th on TOUR in ball-striking and T10 in bogey avoidance, good stats for an old-style golf course with thick rough. Levin is currently 26th in FedExCup points, and will try to stay inside the all-important top 30 heading into the playoffs. |
| ERNIE ELS |
| Els' missed cut at the British Open was his fourth in his last five events. The 2010 World Golf Hall of Fame inductee has three top-25 finishes this year, but he's yet to record a top 10. Els has fallen off in many statistical categories, including driving distance, driving accuracy, strokes gained-putting, but he has improved his greens in regulation percentage. If he can drive it straight, he'll be at an advantage hitting into Shaughnessy's small putting surfaces. |
| PAUL CASEY |
| Casey has played nine TOUR events this year, and finds himself 139th in FedExCup points. He'll need strong play going forward to make it to the TOUR Championship two years in a row. He missed three consecutive cuts before making it to the weekend at the British Open, and looks to find some consistency in his game in Vancouver. |
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