The Starter: Round 4, Northern Trust Open

text size

Feb. 22, 2009
By PGATOUR.COM staff

The first group will soon tee off in today's final round of the Northern Trust Open. Here's how it sets up:

Groups We're Watching

Tee time	Players
1:45 pm ET (10:45 am local)		Phil Mickelson, Andres Romero, Fred Couples The final group offers a rare occasion to contrast and compare three distinctly different styles of play. Track 'em
1:14 pm ET (10:14 am local)		J.B. Holmes, Luke Donald, Dean Wilson Paired with two of golf's top players, Wilson has a chance to steal their spotlight and post a top-10 finish. Track 'em
12:324 pm ET (9:32 am local)		Ernie Els, Ryuji Imada, Mike Weir Past champs Weir and Els will be looking for big final rounds to make up for a disappointing week at Riviera. Track 'em

EXPERT PREVIEW: PGA TOUR Network on-site correspondent Bob Stevens looks back at Saturday's third round and previews Sunday's final round:

Sunday's forecast

Cloudy
Temp: 70 high/51 low
The skies will be overcast much of the day, with a few peeks of sunshine possible at times. Winds will come out of the south-southwest at 5 to 10 mph.

Problem solved: Phil Mickelson has this tournament by the throat, unless you see him doing the hokey-pokey or the twist. Swing doctor Butch Harmon said he saw trouble with too much movement in Phil's lower body during Friday's 72, so when Phil called from the scorer's tent and the two met for a Saturday morning tutorial, Harmon knew exactly what to work on. But 10 shots better? Just to be safe, Butch is hanging around for today's final round.

Advantage, veterans: Considering how "moving day" went, expect today's winner to be someone who's tasted success at Riviera before. Two-time winner Fred Couples told me after Saturday's 65 that it's not so much course knowledge but just a comfort level with the old-style layout that has brought out the best in his game, and that of other past champions Mickelson and Mark Calcavecchia. Rory Sabbatini. K.J. Choi and Scott McCarron have contended before here, too.

Talent vs. tradition: All that said, how do we explain the great runs of Andres Romero and Dustin Johnson, who've each only played in ONE Northern Trust Open? Sometimes talent trumps tradition. Those two can play, period.

Non-playing captain: By the way, despite his great play this week, Couples said he wasn't interested in playing his way onto his own Presidents Cup team. That might bring quite a sigh of relief to everyone who might end up on the bubble later this summer.

The one stat(s) you need to know

Fred Couples is playing in his 26th Northern Trust Open, and on Saturday completed his 100th round in the event. Couples, who won here in 1990 and 1992, carded a Saturday 65 that was his best round since a 64 in Round 3 of the Bob Hope Classic last month.

Thus far at Riviera

Round	Leader	Low round (par 71)	Key links
	Phil Mickelson (-8)	63: Phil Mickelson	Daily Wrap-Up \| Live Report Tiger's Return \| Notebook
	Scott McCarron (-10)	65: Bob Estes	Daily Wrap-Up \| Live Report Ross Feature \| Notebook
	Phil Mickelson (-16)	62: Phil Mickelson	Daily Wrap-Up \| Live Report Ross Column \| Notebook

The Film Room

	PGA TOUR Today Win McMurry updates the action from the third round of the 2009 Northern Trust Open and previews what to watch for in the final round. Watch it
	Shot of the day Robert Allenby's chip-in on the par-4 15th hole stood out as the highlight from Saturday's third-round action at storied Riviera. Watch it
	Thrills from Phil A 62 vaulted Phil Mickelson back into the lead. Michael Collins from the PGA TOUR Network on SIRIUS XM Radio called the action and had a word with Mickelson afterward. Watch it