Groups we're watching: Final round at John Deere Classic

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Jul. 13, 2008

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Eric Axley, Brad Adamonis
Tee time:
12:45 p.m.
Tee: No. 1
Total TOUR wins: 1
Why you should watch: Anytime you have a TOUR rookie in the final group on a Sunday, you could be in for some excitement. The oldest rookie on TOUR, Brad Adamonis is 35 years old and looking for his first PGA TOUR win after many years on the Nationwide Tour. Eric Axley is not a rookie and is not looking for his first win, but he hasn't won since he broke through at the Valero Texas Open in 2006, and he hasn't had a great season so far this year. However, his best -- by far -- finish of 2008 came just a couple of weeks ago at the U.S. Open of all places. After missing eight cuts this year, Axley tied for ninth at Torrey Pines, reaffirming his belief in his own abilities. Did that give him the push to reach for victory No. 2?

2008 stat comparison
Player Events played Cuts made 1st 2nd 3rd Top 10 Top25 Scoring average
Eric Axley 20 10 -- -- -- 1 2 72.30
Brad Adamonis 17 9 -- -- -- 1 1 71.26
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Kenny Perry, Jay Williamson
Tee time:
12:36 p.m.
Tee: No. 1
Total TOUR wins: 11
Why you should watch: Why you wouldn't want to watch a group with Kenny Perry in it is more the point here. In his last seven starts, Perry has racked up a tie for 15th, a playoff-loss second place, a tie for 46th, a win, a tie for 24th, a tie for sixth and another win. And don't forget about that tie for third he scored early in the season at the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic. He has a share of the lead going into the final round at TPC Deere Run and far more experience, success and confidence than anyone he's up against. Look out for another wild ride from Mr. Perry. It's easy to shrink in the shadow of a man like Perry right now, but don't expect Jay Williamson to shy away from the challenge. This guy isn't a rookie like Adamonis, but he is looking for his first TOUR win after 18 years of playing professionally. Sure, you might feel more comfortable picking Perry right now, but Williamson fired up his weekend in the third round with an outstanding 9-under 62 in order to snag a spot in the penultimate group. Don't take someone who can do that lightly.

2008 stat comparison
Player Events played Cuts made 1st 2nd 3rd Top 10 Top 25 Scoring average
Kenny Perry 18 17 2 1 1 5 10 70.14
Jay Williamson 18 11 -- -- -- -- 1 71.82
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Philip Francis, Woody Austin
Tee time:
12 p.m.
Tee: No. 1
Total TOUR wins: 3
Why you should watch: He has no TOUR wins, no TOUR experience -- not even Nationwide Tour experience -- but 19-year-old amateur Philip Francis is in the hunt at TPC Deere Run. The wide-eyed youth starts the final round four shots back in solo 11th place after a bogey-free, 7-under 64 in the third round. He's humble and excited and, more than anything, so grateful to be here. His chances of pulling off a win are slim to none, but don't you want to watch him try? At the other end of the spectrum, this group has Woody Austin. Always capable of putting on a good show, Austin needs to make something happen this week if he wants to continue on the road he started last year when he became a fast favorite on TOUR through both his talent and his personality. The 2008 season hasn't gone as well for Austin, who has missed four cuts and had some tough finishes -- tie for 71st at the U.S. Open, tie for 49th at the Stanford St. Jude Championship, tie for 73rd at the Memorial Tournament. But his game has been picking up of late; he came close with a tie for second at the Buick Open, losing to none other than Perry. Chances are, he doesn't want to let that happen again.

2008 stat comparison
Player Events played Cuts made 1st 2nd 3rd Top 10 Top 25 Scoring average
Philip Francis n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a
Woody Austin 18 14 -- 1 -- 3 7 71.74
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