{"id":411451,"date":"2011-04-30T22:54:55","date_gmt":"2011-04-30T22:54:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.ghanamma.net\/2011\/04\/30\/tour-report-watson-showing-rare-combination-pgatour-com\/"},"modified":"2011-04-30T22:54:55","modified_gmt":"2011-04-30T22:54:55","slug":"tour-report-watson-showing-rare-combination-pgatour-com","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2011\/04\/30\/tour-report-watson-showing-rare-combination-pgatour-com\/","title":{"rendered":"Tour Report: Watson showing rare combination (PGATOUR.com)"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
<\/p>\n

Martin\/Getty Images<\/span><\/p>\n

Bubba Watson is seeking his third win in the last 10 months.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

By Brian Wacker, PGATOUR.COM Site Producer<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n

We\u2019re seeing a rare combination of power and precision in Bubba Watson right now.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s one thing to hit it a mile off the tee, it\u2019s another to do that and hit 79 percent of your fairways and consequently 83 percent of your greens in regulation, which ties for best in the field this week.<\/p>\n

Is there any wonder then that Watson takes a share of the 54-hole lead to Sunday\u2019s final round after a 2-under 70 on Saturday?<\/p>\n

And Watson hasn\u2019t exactly been a one-week wonder.<\/p>\n

He won the Farmers Insurance Open in February. He also won the Travelers Championship last June. He lost in a playoff at last year\u2019s PGA Championship, and he was a semifinalist in this year\u2019s World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play Championship.<\/p>\n

He\u2019s also third on the PGA TOUR in total driving (distance plus accuracy) and second in greens in regulation.<\/p>\n

Now he has a chance for his third win in a little over 10 months. A victory would also catapult him to the top of the FedExCup standings (click here for the projected FedExCup standings<\/a><\/em><\/em><\/strong>).<\/p>\n

Not that Watson thinks he has any sort of advantage having been in this position before.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s no advantage,\u201d Watson said. \u201cHe wants to win. I want to win. Just because I\u2019ve won two, luckily, I want to win my third. When I win my third, I want to win my fourth. There\u2019s always pressure you put on yourself and then the outside pressure that everybody else seems to put on you. You have to get used to that.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo for him not winning his first one might be a little tougher for him, but I\u2019m just as nervous as he is.\u201d<\/p>\n\n

Controlling nerves key for Simpson<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n

Martin\/Getty Images<\/span><\/p>\n

Webb Simpson shot a 5-under 67 Saturday at TPC Louisiana.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

By Brian Wacker, PGATOUR.COM Site Producer<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n

At one point it looked like Webb Simpson might challenge the course record after making five birdies over his first seven holes. That\u2019s what TPC Louisiana showed whatever teeth it has.<\/p>\n

Simpson made nothing but pars the rest of the way, shooting a 5-under 67 to grab a share of the lead at 12 under with Bubba Watson, who just capped a 70.<\/p>\n

\u201cI got off to pretty good start but the way wind blows out here and the way the course was firming up I knew par was a good score,\u201d Simpson said. \u201cAll and all a good day.\u201d<\/p>\n

This is the second time Simpson has been in contention this season. At the Transitions Championship he carded three straights 67s before eventually finishing second after a final-round 69.<\/p>\n

What did the former Wake Forest standout learn from the experience?<\/p>\n

\u201dThe No. 1 thing is I proved to myself that I can win,\u201d Simpson said. \u201cI was right there until the last hole.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll carry that confidence from that tournament into tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n

He\u2019ll also try to handle his nerves better, something that was an issue in Tampa, where his pre-shot routine slowed down and took him out of his rhythm.<\/p>\n

Having a veteran caddie should help. Paul Tesori is on Simpson\u2019s bag and the two talked about how to handle those nerves better the next time.<\/p>\n

This is also the first time Simpson will take a share of the lead to the final round.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe No. 1 thing is to stay in my routine,\u201d Simpson said. \u201cTake the same number of practice swings, the same number of practice strokes.\u201d<\/p>\n

If he can, he just might get his first career win.<\/p>\n\n

Watch: The Bubba show<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n

Martin\/Getty Images<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Bubba Watson\u2019s been bashing his way around TPC Louisiana. Here\u2019s a closer look at his swing<\/a><\/em><\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

For a look at his birdie on the 11th hole, click here<\/a><\/em><\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n

Update: Simpson still leading \u2014 for now<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n

We\u2019re well into the third round and Webb Simpson is still leading, but he has company. Nine players are currently within three shots of his lead.<\/p>\n

One of those is Matt Jones, who is 4 under through 14 holes, and overnight leader Bubba Watson, who is just 1 under through 12 holes.<\/p>\n

The biggest moves among that group came from George McNeill, who shot 65, and Charles Howell III, who just capped a 66 to get to 10 under and in a tie with McNeill and two others.<\/p>\n

K.J. Choi, Tommy Gainey and Steve Stricker are another stroke back from that and they all have a chance to get closer since they\u2019re still on the golf course.<\/p>\n\n

Simpson extends birdie streak<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n

By Brian Wacker, PGATOUR.COM Site Producer<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n

Make that five straight birdies now for Webb Simpson, who is 5 under through his first seven holes and leads at 12 under.<\/p>\n

Among the highlights for the former Wake Forrest standout: A 33-footer on No. 4, a 16 1\/2-footer on No. 5 and a chip-in from 21 yards on No. 6.<\/p>\n

In case you\u2019re wondering, the course record at TPC Louisiana is 64, which Kyle Reifers shot in the first round in 2007. To follow Simpson live with Shot Tracker click here<\/a><\/em><\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n

Logjam at the top in New Orleans<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n

By Brian Wacker, PGATOUR.COM Site Producer<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n

So much for Bubba Watson\u2019s lead. He now has company at 10 under in the form of Webb Simpson and John Rollins. They\u2019re 3 and 2 under in the third round, respectively, while Watson is even par through his first three holes.<\/p>\n

Very quietly, Simpson has put together a nice year after a little bit of a down season in 2010, which was his second on the PGA TOUR.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s been a total turnaround in 2011, though. In nine starts, Simpson has a half-dozen top-25s, including two top-10s, which of course includes his runner-up finish in Tampa.<\/p>\n

Already, Simpson has made more money this year than he did in all of 2010 and he\u2019s obviously well on his way to adding to that this week.<\/p>\n

Rollins on the other hand has been more of a head-scratcher. Statistically, he\u2019s been solid. On the scorecard, though, he\u2019s just not putting up the numbers.<\/p>\n

In 10 starts, Rollins has missed the cut five times and he has just one finish inside the top 40 \u2014 a tie for 20th in Tampa.<\/p>\n

This week, however, Rollins missed just two fairways and eight greens in regulation through his first two rounds. And of the eight times he did miss the green, he made par or better seven times. In other words, he\u2019s simply putting the ball in the hole better than he has all year.<\/p>\n\n

McNeill goes low, moves into contention<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n

By Brian Wacker, PGATOUR.COM Site Producer<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n

After finishing 138th on the money list in 2010, George McNeill has only conditional status on the PGA TOUR this year. A big week here could go a long way toward changing that.<\/p>\n

McNeill, who tied for fifth early this season in Puerto Rico, shot a 7-under 65 Saturday \u2014 the low round of the day so far \u2014 to move to 10 under for the week and within reach of the lead.<\/p>\n

How good was McNeill Saturday? Over his last 12 holes, he made seven birdies. His best shot of the day? How about driving the 377-yard par-4 13th, where he two-putted from 38 feet for birdie.<\/p>\n

Given his status, McNeill came into this week with just four starts. If he continues to play this well, he\u2019ll certainly get a lot more.<\/p>\n\n

Teater on pace for career week<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n

By Brian Wacker, PGATOUR.COM Site Producer<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n

The biggest jump in the FedExCup standings this week could come from Josh Teater, who entered the week 171st. Should he go on to win \u2014 he\u2019s currently one shot back of leader Bubba Watson \u2014 he\u2019d move inside the top 30.<\/p>\n

How did Teater, who has just one finish in the top 50 this season, play his way into Saturday\u2019s final group? Simple: Putting.<\/p>\n

In Round 2, Teater converted eight putts of 8 feet or longer, including a career long 72-foot, 11-inch bomb on the third hole.<\/p>\n

For the week, he\u2019s converted nine putts from outside 10 feet \u2014 second-most in the field.<\/p>\n

Click here to follow Teater and Watson live with Shot Tracker<\/a><\/em><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Your open thread: Zurich Classic, Rd. 3<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n

Martin\/Getty Images<\/span><\/p>\n

Bubba Watson enters the weekend at 10 under and with a one-shot lead.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Bubba Watson is halfway to his second win of the season. Will he get it, or will someone else emerge on moving day at TPC Louisiana, where the wind will be blowing in the 20-mph range? Follow it live and discuss today\u2019s round here.<\/p>\n

Scores<\/strong><\/a> |<\/strong> Shot Tracker<\/strong><\/a> |<\/strong> Tee Times<\/strong><\/a> |<\/strong> Groups to watch<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n

Watson\u2019s accuracy the difference<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n

By Brian Wacker, PGATOUR.COM Site Producer<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n

We\u2019re at the halfway point of the halfway mark of the 2011 season and Bubba Watson is looking for his second win of the season and third in less than 12 months.<\/p>\n

At this point a year ago, Watson was 25th in the FedExCup standings. He entered this week 10th. Should he go on to win, he\u2019d like move to No. 1.<\/p>\n

Watson\u2019s always been one of the longest hitters on the PGA TOUR \u2014 he currently ranks second at 308.2 yards off the tee \u2014 but now he\u2019s dialing in his irons. Case in point: He\u2019s also second on TOUR in greens in regulation and second in ball-striking.<\/p>\n

Not surprisingly, Watson also leads the TOUR in par-5 scoring.<\/p>\n

This week has just been an extension of all that. Watson of course leads the field in driving distance, but he\u2019s also tied for first in greens hit \u2014 86 percent compared to a field average of 60 percent \u2014 and has two eagles through the first two rounds.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Is there any wonder why he\u2019s leading?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

Original post:
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