This week: PGA Tour’s Quail Hollow Championship, Thursday through Sunday, Quail Hollow Club, Charlotte, N.C.

First-round score: 1-over-par 73.

Position: Moore is tied for 83rd, eight strokes behind leader Tiger Woods (65).

Recap: For the second time in three seasons, Moore has shot an over-par round to start this event. He had a three-putt bogey from 80 feet on the par-3 17th to go to 1-over, and followed up front-nine bogeys by making birdies on the par-5 holes.

Tee time Friday: 4 a.m. PDT off the first tee.

Late last week, Nationwide Tour officials began E-mailing professional golfers, including Tacoma’s Michael Putnam, about the growing outbreak of the swine flu virus in Mexico, and how it would affect its annual stop to the country next month.

And without hesitation Wednesday, the Mexico Open, originally scheduled for May 18-24 at its new site at El Bosque Golf Club, was postponed until the fall.

The rescheduling of the event at El Bosque Golf Club, located 200 miles northwest of Mexico City, might heavily backload Putnam’s fall schedule, but he understands the rationale behind the tournament postponement.

“If it’s not safe to go down there, and obviously the Mexican government is canceling some other event, too … the (Nationwide Tour) is going to keep us in their best interest,” Putnam said.

=> Read more!

Darren Wallace tapped in his final putt, looked up and saw the herd of University of Washington men's golf teammates running onto the 18th green to hail him.

For a split second, he crouched to escape the attention – the only time in the three-day Pacific-10 Conference championships he did not face the competition straight-up.

Wallace, a junior from Vancouver, B.C., highlighted the Huskies' big week at Seattle Golf Club by capturing medalist honors Wednesday afternoon after his closing 2-under-par 70.

His 11-under 277 total beat teammate – and fellow Canadian – Nick Taylor (281) by four strokes.

=> Read more!

This week: PGA Tour's Quail Hollow Championship, Thursday through Sunday, Quail Hollow Club, Charlotte, N.C.

World ranking: 155th.

2009 earnings: $426,739 (75th on the PGA Tour).

Last tournament: The Puyallup golfer made his fourth consecutive cut of the season with his tied-for-42nd finish (3-under 285) at last week's Zurich Classic of New Orleans. The last time he made five in a row? It was the year he came out of UNLV – 2005 – and played, earned temporary status and went on to make seven consecutive cuts. Moore has quietly established himself again as one of the best putters on tour, tied for seventh in total putting. But with his inconsistent ball-striking, he's relying too much on it to make pars, not birdies. Moore's best finish at Quail Hollow was a tied-for-75th in 2007.

Tee time Thursday: 9:10 a.m. PDT off the 10th tee with Steve Marino and Troy Matteson.

PGA TOUR's Quail Hollow Championship

Site: Charlotte, N.C.

Schedule: Thursday-Sunday.

Course: Quail Hollow Club (7,442 yards, par 72).

Purse: $6.5 million. Winner’s share: $1.17 million.

Television (all times PDT): Golf Channel (Thursday, noon-3 p.m., 5:30-8:30 p.m.; Friday, 9:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m., noon-3 p.m., 5:30-8:30 p.m.; Saturday, 9 p.m.-midnight, 10-11:30 p.m., 6:30-8:30 p.m.; Sunday, 10-11:30 a.m., 6:30-8:30 p.m.) and CBS (Saturday-Sunday, noon-3 p.m.).

Last year: Anthony Kim won his first PGA Tour title, finishing with a tournament-record 16-under 272 total for a five-stroke victory over Ben Curtis. Kim also won the AT&T National in July.

Last week: Jerry Kelly won the Zurich Classic in Avondale, La., for his third PGA Tour victory and first since 2002. Kelly finished at 14 under, a stroke ahead of Rory Sabbatini, Charlie Wi and Charles Howell III.
Notes: Tiger Woods is making his fourth appearance in the event. He won in 2007, then sat out the 2008 event because of a knee injury. … Masters champion Angel Cabrera is making his first tour start since winning at Augusta National. … Second-ranked Phil Mickelson also is in the field along with No. 3 Sergio Garcia, No. 4 Geoff Ogilvy, No. 7 Padraig Harrington, No. 8 Vijay Singh and No. 10 Camilo Villegas. Singh won the 2005 event. … Puyallup's Ryan Moore is playing in back-to-back tournaments. … The Players Championship is next week in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., followed by the Texas Open.

On the Net: http://www.pgatour.com

=> Read more!

This week: PGA Tour’s Zurich Classic of New Orleans, Thursday through Sunday, TPC Louisiana, Avondale, La.

Fourth-round score: 1-under-par 71.

Position: Moore (3-under 285) was tied for 42nd, 11 strokes behind winner Jerry Kelly (274).

Recap: The Puyallup golfer’s so-so ball-striking outing was similar to that of his third-round 75 – except that he made a few more putts Sunday to post an under-par score (four birdies, three bogeys). The 14 total bogeys won’t sit well with Moore, but his driving the ball as long as he ever has. His 301.5-yard average this week was sixth in the field

Next: Quail Hollow Championship starting Thursday at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, N.C.

This week: PGA Tour's Zurich Classic of New Orleans, Thursday through Sunday, TPC Louisiana, Avondale, La.

Third-round score: 3-over-par 75.

Position: Moore (2-under 214) is tied for 49th, 11 strokes behind leader Jerry Kelly (203).

Recap: Early on, the Puyallup product jumped up in the top 20 with his birdie on the par-5 fourth. Then it got ugly – five bogeys in a seven-hole stretch. Much of it was because of his ball-striking as he hit just eight of 18 greens in regulation. In four of those holes, short shots from around the green left him with par putts of 10 feet or longer. His 11 bogeys are tied for most in the field.

Tee time Sunday: 6:48 a.m. PDT with Eric Axley.

This week: PGA Tour's Zurich Classic of New Orleans, Thursday through Sunday, TPC Louisian, Avondale, La.

Second-round score: 1-under-par 71.

Position: Moore (5-under 139) is tied for 21st, five strokes behind leader Jerry Kelly (134).

Recap: The Puyallup golfer started by making a long putt – from 22 feet on the par-4 first – and finished his five-birdie outing by making another one, from 33 feet on the par-4 15th. And yet, he totaled 30 putts, which is a sub-par showing.

Tee time Saturday: 9:08 a.m. PDT with Tim Petrovic.

This week: PGA Tour's Zurich Classic of New Orleans, Thursday through Sunday, TPC Louisian, Avondale, La.

Second-round score: 1-over-par 73.

Position: Kelly (3-over 148) finished tied for 112th, and missed the cut by four strokes.

Recap: The Central Kitsap High product had a double bogey for a second consecutive day, and will miss cashing a paycheck for the fifth tournament in a row (four missed cuts and a withdrawal).

Next: Kelly will be a longshot alternate to get into next week's field at the next week's Quail Hollow Championship, and won't be in The Players Championship the following week, either. Check back in early May.

This week: Nationwide Tour’s South Georgia Classic, Thursday through Sunday, Kinderlou Forest Golf Club, Valdosta, Ga.

Second-round score: 1-over-par 73.

Position: Putnam (3-over 147) is tied for 103rd, and missed the cut by four strokes. Henrik Bjornstad leads at 134.

Recap: The Tacoma product was 1-under through 10 holes, had two par-5 holes remaining but could not take advantage of those late opportunities to make his five consecutive cuts this season. It was the third time this season the Life Christian Academy graduate fired over-par scores to open a tournament.

Next: BMW Charity Pro-Am starting May 14 at Thornblade Golf Club, Bright’s Creek Golf Club and The Carolina Country Club in North and South Carolina.

This week: Nationwide Tour's South Georgia Classic, Thursday through Sunday, Kinderlou Forest Golf Club, Valdosta, Ga.

First-round score: 2-over-par 74.

Position: Putnam is tied for 103rd, eight strokes behind leader Jonax Blixt (66).

Recap: Likely as frustrating a round as a golfer can play. The Tacoma golfer had a perfect driving round – 14-for-14 on fairways hit – and fired an over-par score. He had three bogeys before making his lone birdie on the par-4 16th.

Tee time Friday: 4:30 a.m. PDT off the 10th tee.

This week: Nationwide Tour’s South Georgia Classic, Thursday through Sunday, Kinderlou Forest Golf Club, Valdosta, Ga.

World ranking: 707th.

2009 earnings: $12,754 (80th on the Nationwide Tour).

Last tournament: Putnam made his fourth consecutive cut at last week’s Athens Regional Foundation Classic, tying for 39th (2-under 286). But for the second time in the past five weeks, Putnam really cost himself money with a poor final round, shooting 75 on Sunday. In short, all his statistics are better than his money standing, which might point toward a breakout in the coming weeks. He is seventh in total birdies (86).

Tee time Thursday: 9:40 a.m. PDT with Ryan Armour and Gavin Coles.

This week: PGA Tour's Zurich Classic of New Orleans, Thursday through Sunday, TPC Louisiana, Avondale, La.

World ranking: 157th.

2009 earnings: $405,913 (73rd on the PGA Tour).

Last tournament: The Puyallup product, and Cascade Christian graduate, has currently accomplished something he only did once last season – make the cut in three consecutive tournaments. He finished in a group in 11th (7-under 281) at the Houston Open on April 5, then was off the past two weeks. And he's scoring better – he's shot under-par scores in four of his past five rounds, including a 68 and 67 at the Houston Open.

Tee time Thursday: 10:30 a.m. PDT off the 10th tee with Steve Elkington and Kevin Stadler.

This week: PGA Tour's Zurich Classic of New Orleans, Thursday through Sunday, TPC Louisiana, Avondale, La.

World ranking: 1,198th.

2009 earnings: $11,178 (223rd).

Last tournament: Alas, the rookie has returned to the PGA Tour. He withdrew with an injury at the Mayakoba Golf Classic in early March, fell in the PGA Tour's reshuffle for tournaments and hasn't been able to get in fields recently. He did play in a pair of Nationwide Tour events, missing the cut in both. Kelly has been back in the Northwest, practicing a lot at Kitsap Golf and Country Club.

Tee time Thursday: 6:45 a.m. PDT off the 10th tee with Aaron Watkins and Casey Wittenberg.

PGA TOUR's Zurich Classic of New Orleans

Site: Avondale, La.

Schedule: Thursday-Sunday.

Course: TPC Louisiana (6,973 yards, par 71).

Purse: $6.3 million. Winner’s share: $1,134,000.

Television (all times PDT): Golf Channel (Thursday-Friday, noon-3 p.m., 5:30-8:30 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday, 10-11:30 a.m., 6:30-8:30 p.m.) and CBS (Saturday-Sunday, noon-3 p.m.).

Last year: Argentina’s Andres Romero won in his 12th career PGA Tour start, finishing with a 4-under 68 for a one-stroke victory over Peter Lonard.

Last week: Brian Gay won the Verizon Heritage for his second PGA Tour victory, closing with a 7-under 64 at Harbour Town to win by 10 strokes. Gay broke the 13-year-old tournament scoring record, finishing at 20-under 264.,

Notes: Danny Lee is making his pro debut. The 18-year-old South Korean-born New Zealander missed the cut in the Masters as an amateur. He broke Tiger Woods’ mark as the youngest U.S. Amateur champion last year and became the European tour’s youngest winner in February at the Johnnie Walker Classic. … Nick Watney won the 2007 title. … Puyallup's Ryan Moore and Tacoma's Troy Kelly are expected to play. … The 2006 tournament was played at English Turn after Hurricane Katrina damaged the Pete Dye-designed TPC Louisiana. … The Quail Hollow Championship is next week in Charlotte, N.C., followed by The Players Championship at Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.

On the Net: http://www.pgatour.com

=> Read more!

This week: Nationwide Tour's Athens Regional Foundation Classic, Thursday through Sunday, Jennings Mill Country Club, Athens, Ga.

Fourth-round score: 3-over-par 75.

Position: Putnam (2-under 286) finished tied for 39th, 12 strokes behind winner Patrick Sheehan.

Recap: Too many bogeys made by the Tacoma golfer – his 14 were tied for first in the field. Putnam opened with an eagle on the par-5 second to get to 7-under for the tournament, and within earshot of the lead before suffering four bogeys and a double bogey on the par-4 ninth.

Next: South Georgia Classic starting Thursday at Kinderlou Forest Golf Club in Valdosta, Ga.

This week: Nationwide Tour's Athens Regional Foundation Classic, Thursday through Sunday, Jennings Mill Country Club, Athens, Ga.

Third-round score: 1-under-par 71.

Position: Putnam (5-under 211) is tied for 19th, seven strokes behind leader Bob Burns (204).

Recap: The Tacoma golfer registered a week-best five birdies in the third round, but also matched Friday's output of four bogeys. His 13 total birdies are the same as his tournament standing – tied for 19th. He's not getting as much out of hitting 45 of 54 greens in regulation as he'd like.

Tee time Sunday: 5:03 a.m. PDT off the first tee with Neal Lancaster and Michael Sim.

This week: Nationwide Tour's Athens Regional Foundation Classic, Thursday through Sunday, Jennings Mill Country Club, Athens, Ga.

Second-round score: 2-under-par 70.

Position: Putnam (4-under 140) is tied for 14th, five strokes behind leader Patrick Sheehan (135).

Recap: Great start (two opening birdies), rocky middle (bogeys at Nos. 9 and 10) and whirlwind late rally (4-under through Nos. 11-14), including an eagle on the par-5 14th. For the second consecutive time, he hit 15 of 18 greens in regulation.

Tee time Saturday: TBD.

It seems as if the Putnam brothers are not only connected at the hip, but in the Pepperdine men's golf record book as well.

Sophomore Andrew Putnam captured the West Coast Conference's top honor – player of the year - and was one of two Waves to be named to the all-WCC squad.

Putnam, the younger brother of Nationwide Tour professional Michael Putnam, finished in the top 20 in all 12 tournaments he entered, and led Pepperdine with a 72.03-stroke average.

He is currently ranked No. 21 in the country.

Putnam was the WCC's freshman of the year in 2008.

This week: Nationwide Tour's Athens Regional Foundation Classic, Thursday through Sunday, Jennings Mill Country Club, Athens, Ga.

First-round score: 2-under-par 70.

Position: Putnam will likely hover around the top 20 as afternoon play concludes.

Recap: What length off the tee can do for a golfer on a shorter course. All four of the Tacoma product's birdies came on the par-5 holes (Nos. 2, 7, 14, and 18).

Tee time Friday: 11:10 a.m. PDT off the first tee.

This week: Nationwide Tour's Athens Regional Foundation Classic, Thursday through Sunday, Jennings Mill Country Club, Athens, Ga.

World ranking: 693rd.

2009 earnings: $10,326 (81st on the Nationwide Tour).

Last tournament: The Tacoma golfer made his third cut in a row on April 5 at the Stonebrae Classic (4-over 288, tied for 57th) in California, but has yet to record a top-25 finish. His scoring average (71.95 strokes) ranks 98th on tour, and is more than a stroke higher than his career average on the development circuit. Jennings Mill CC is another one of the shorter courses (7,004 yards, par 72), built in a links-style layout where ball control is a must. Putnam has had two top-20 outings in this tournament, including a tied-for-seventh in 2008.

Tee time Thursday: 6:10 a.m. PDT off the 10th tee with Tee McCabe and Chris Riley.

PGA TOUR's Verizon Heritage

Site: Hilton Head Island, S.C.

Schedule: Thursday-Sunday.

Course: Harbour Town Golf Links (6,973 yards, par 71).

Purse: $5.7 million. Winner’s share: $1,026,000.

Television (all times PDT): Golf Channel (Thursday, noon-3 p.m., 5:30-8:30 p.m.; Friday, 9:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m., noon-3 p.m., 5:30-8:30 p.m.; Saturday, 9 p.m.-midnight, 10-11:30 a.m., 6:30-8:30 p.m.; Sunday, 10-11:30 a.m., 6:30-8:30 p.m.) and CBS (Saturday-Sunday, noon-3 p.m.).

Last year: Boo Weekley successfully defended his title, beating Anthony Kim and Aaron Baddeley by three strokes.

Last week: Angel Cabrera became the first Argentine to win the Masters, beating 48-year-old Kenny Perry with a two-putt par on the second hole of a playoff. Cabrera, the U.S. Open winner two years ago at Oakmont, closed with a 71 to match Perry and Chad Campbell at 12 under. Campbell dropped out with a bogey on the first extra hole.

Notes: Jim Furyk and Ernie Els top the field along with Weekley, Camillo Villegas and Paul Casey. Last week at Augusta, Furyk tied for 10th, Villegas tied for 13th, Casey tied for 20th, and Els and Weekley missed the cut. … In 2007, Weekley chipped in on the final two holes to hold off Els by a stroke. … Five-time champion Davis Love III is making his 24th consecutive appearance in the event. Love last won at Hilton Head in 2003, beating Woody Austin on the fourth hole of a playoff. … In 2004, Stewart Cink beat Ted Purdy on the fifth extra hole after overcoming a nine-stroke deficit with a 64. Cink also won in 2000. … The Zurich Classic of New Orleans is next week, followed by the Quail Hollow Championship and The Players Championship.

On the Net: http://www.pgatour.com

=> Read more!

Tacoma's Troy Kelly, the Central Kitsap High product and PGA Tour rookie, finally knows his next event: The 2009 Zurich Classic of New Orleans.

Kelly's last appearance was in early March when he withdrew after one round at the Mayakoba Golf Classic, citing a back injury.

He was an alternate for the Shell Houston Open on April 2, but did not get into the field.

Kelly is 220th on the tour money list ($11,178).

I remember the comment distinctly, as if Peter Jacobsen muttered it to me yesterday.

Only it came at the 2005 U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2 in North Carolina, at a time when Puyallup's Ryan Moore was finishing up his final week as an amateur golfer.

Jacobsen, never one to mince words, had just finished his round. I asked him about the outlook on Moore as a professional, and the veteran had one firm opinion about Moore's upcoming career.

Jacobsen: When you dominate in the amateur ranks, "99.9 percent" of the time you're going to do the same in the professional ranks.

So what's the deal 31/2 years later?

=> Read more!

MASTERS' TEE TIMES THURSDAY-FRIDAY
Times PDT

5 a.m.-8:07 a.m. — Ian Woosnam, Chez Reavie, Briny Baird.
5:11 a.m.-8:18 a.m. — Sandy Lyle, Billy Mayfair, Tim Clark
5:22 a.m.-8:29 a.m. — Kevin Sutherland, Ross Fisher, Prayad Marksaeng
5:33 a.m.-8:40 a.m. — Louis Oosthuizen, Carl Pettersson, Dudley Hart
5:44 a.m.-8:51 a.m. — Raymond Floyd, Justin Leonard, a-Reinier Saxton
5:55 a.m.-9:02 a.m. — Fuzzy Zoeller, Michael Campbell, Ken Duke
6:06 a.m.-9:24 a.m. — Ben Curtis, Nick Watney, Miguel Angel Jimenez
6:17 a.m.-9:35 a.m. — Craig Stadler, Rory Sabbatini, Dustin Johnson
6:28 a.m.-9:46 a.m. — Gary Player, Luke Donald, Stephen Ames
6:39 a.m.-9:57 a.m. — Retief Goosen, Soren Hansen, Shingo Katayama
6:50 a.m.-10:08 a.m. — Bernhard Langer, Greg Norman, Lee Westwood
7:12 a.m.-10:19 a.m. — Justin Rose, Henrik Stenson, Angel Cabrera
7:23 a.m.-10:30 a.m. — Vijay Singh, Geoff Ogilvy, Ernie Els
7:34 a.m.-10:41 a.m. — Mike Weir, Padraig Harrington, Ryuji Imada
7:45 a.m.-10:52 a.m. — Phil Mickelson, Camilo Villegas, Jim Furyk
7:56 a.m.-11:03 a.m. — Stuart Appleby, Oliver Wilson, Sergio Garcia
8:07 a.m.-5 a.m. — Larry Mize, John Merrick, a-Drew Kittleson
8:18 a.m.-5:11 a.m. — Todd Hamilton, Steve Flesch, Mathew Goggin
8:29 a.m.-5:22 a.m. — Tom Watson, Ian Poulter, a-Steve Wilson
8:40 a.m.-5:33 a.m. — Aaron Baddeley, Bubba Watson, Graeme McDowell
8:51 a.m.-5:44 a.m. — Mark O’Meara, Pat Perez, D.J. Trahan
9:02 a.m.-5:55 a.m. — Fred Couples, Rocco Mediate, a-Jack Newman
9:24 a.m.-6:06 a.m. — Soren Kjeldsen, Sean O’Hair, Richard Sterne
9:35 a.m.-6:17 a.m. — Andres Romero, Boo Weekley, Chad Campbell
9:46 a.m.-6:28 a.m. — Ben Crenshaw, Paul Casey, Steve Stricker
9:57 a.m.-6:39 a.m. — Y.E. Yang, Robert Allenby, Hunter Mahan
10:08 a.m.-6:50 a.m. — Zach Johnson, Lin Wen-Tang, Robert Karlsson
10:19 a.m.-7:12 a.m. — JM Olazabal, Martin Kaymer, Brandt Snedeker
10:30 a.m.-7:23 a.m. — K.J. Choi, Alvaro Quiros, Kenny Perry
10:41 a.m.-7:34 a.m. — Trevor Immelman, Adam Scott, a-Danny Lee
10:52 a.m.-7:45 a.m. — Tiger Woods, Stewart Cink, Jeev Milkha Singh
11:03 a.m.-7:56 a.m. — Anthony Kim, Rory McIlroy, Ryo Ishikawa

Following the PGA Tour's second reshuffle of last season's Nationwide Tour and PGA Tour Qualifying School graduates, Tacoma's Troy Kelly has fallen to 47th out of 55 spots.

This is important for filling out PGA Tour events after the regulars commit or skip tournaments.

Kelly, the Central Kitsap graduate, started the season 29th, made the cut in the season-opening, full-field Sony Open in Hawaii but since has missed his past three cuts, and withdrew from his last event, the Mayakoba Classic, in early March.

He did play in last week's Nationwide Tour stop, the Stonebrae Classic, and missed the cut.

THE MASTERS

Site: Augusta, Ga.

Schedule: Thursday-Sunday.

Course: Augusta National Golf Club (7,435 yards, par 72).

Purse: TBA ($7.5 million in 2008). Winner’s share: TBA ($1.35 million in 2008).

Television (all times PDT): ESPN (Thursday-Friday, 1-4:30 p.m., 5-8 p.m.) and CBS (Saturday, 12:30-4 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.).

Last year: Trevor Immelman won his first major title, closing with a 75 — matching the highest final round by a champion — for a three-stroke victory over Tiger Woods. The first South African winner since Gary Player in 1978, Immelman finished at 8 under.

Last week: English star Paul Casey won the Houston Open for his first PGA Tour victory, beating J.B. Holmes with a bogey on the first hole of a playoff. Casey, an eight-time winner on the European tour, jumped to a career-high sixth in the world. … Ireland’s Michael Hoey won the Estoril Open for his first European tour title, edging Spain’s Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano with a par on the third extra hole.

Notes: Woods won the 2005 tournament for his fourth Masters title, beating Chris DiMarco with a 15-foot birdie putt on the first hole of a playoff. Woods set the tournament record of 18-under 270 in 1997, and also won in 2001 and 2002. He’s coming off a victory two weeks ago in the Arnold Palmer Invitational, his first win since last June when he won the U.S. Open and had reconstructive surgery on his left knee. ... Phil Mickelson, the 2004 and 2006 winner, missed the cut in Houston with rounds of 77 and 76. He won this year at Riviera and Doral. … Padraig Harrington won the last two majors, the British Open and PGA Championship. … Player is making his 52nd and final appearance. The three-time winner is 73. … Three teenagers are in the field — 17-year-old Ryo Ishikawa, 18-year-old Danny Lee and 19-year-old Rory McIlroy. … The Verizon Heritage is next week at Hilton Head Island, S.C., followed by the Zurich Classic of New Orleans.

On the Net: http://www.masters.org
PGA Tour site: http://www.pgatour.com
PGA European Tour site: http://www.europeantour.com

=> Read more!

This week: PGA Tour's Shell Houston Open, Thursday through Sunday, Redstone Golf Club Tournament Course, Humble Texas.

Fourth-round score: 4-over-par 76.

Position: Moore (7-under 281) placed tied for 11th, four strokes behind Paul Casey and J.B. Holmes (277). Casey won on the first sudden-death playoff hole.

Recap: The Cascade Christian graduate made a valiant effort to get his first win, and earn a trip to the Masters. He was one of the co-leaders at 11-under after the third round. Agreed upon by tournament officials Saturday, Moore went out with a group of non-leaders in the final round Sunday so the event could finish up, and fell back with an opening bogey, then a double bogey on the par-4 fifth after his drive sailed way right, and he had to take a penalty-stroke drop to play an approach. He made 17 total birdies, which was tied for 20th in the field. He collected a paycheck of $131,100 by registering his third top-20 finish of the season.

Next: Moore is expected to play at the Verizon Heritage starting April 16 at Harbour Town Golf Links in South Carolina.

This week: Nationwide Tour's Stonebrae Classic, Thursday through Sunday, TPC San Francisco Bay, Hayward, Calif.

Fourth-round score: 2-under-par 69.

Position: Putnam (4-over 288) finished tied for 57th.

Recap: The Tacoma native fired his only under-par round last, netting five birdies – four coming on the par-5s. He also hit his most greens in regulation (15-of-18) Sunday.

Next: The tour takes next week off, but Putnam will resume action at the Athens Regional Foundation in Athens, Ga. starting April 16.

This week: PGA Tour's Shell Houston Open, Thursday through Sunday, Redstone Golf Club Tournament Course, Humble, Texas

Third-round score: 5-under-par 67.

Position: Moore (11-under 205) will take a share of the lead into the final round later today. Others at 11-under include Seattle's Fred Couples, Colt Knost, Bo Van Pelt, Paul Casey and Geoff Ogilvy.

Recap: The Puyallup product picked up where he left off Saturday – on the 13th tee of his third round. He birdied that hole to start sunday, and followed with another birdie on the par-3 16th when his 7-iron stuck close, and he rolled in a 6-foot putt.

Tee time Sunday: 8:50 a.m. PDT off the first tee.

This week: Nationwide Tour's Stonebrae Classic, Thursday through Sunday, TPC San Francisco Bay, Hayward, Calif.

Third-round score: 4-over-par 75.

Position: Putnam (6-over 219) is tied for 63rd, 17 strokes behind leader Michael Sim (11-under 202).

Recap: A quadruple bogey-8 on the par-4 fifth hole derailed Putnam's third round after an early birdie.

Tee time Sunday: 8:57 a.m. PDT with Steven Bowditch.

This week: PGA Tour's Shell Houston Open, Thursday through Sunday, Redstone Golf Club Tournament Course, Humble, Texas.

Second-round score: 4-under-par 68.

Third-round score: 3-under through 12 holes.

Position: At 9-under, Moore is tied for sixth, and trails leader Bo Van Pelt (11-under) by two strokes. The third round was suspended because of darkness.

Recap: Can the Puyallup golfer make one final push for his first PGA Tour win and get in next week's Masters. That is what Johnson Wagner did last year, and Moore is right there in contention after sinking a 14-foot birdie putt on the par-4 12th, posting back-to-back birdies to end his day. It was his third consecutive birdie on the 12th. Moore has only missed 10 greens in regulation (out of 48 holes) in the tournament so far, 11th in the field.

Tee time Sunday: Moore will tee off on the par-5 13th hole today starting at 5:30 a.m. PDT. If he stays in the top 10, he'll likely tee up right around noon PDT for the final round.

This week: PGA Tour's Shell Houston Open, Thursday through Sunday, Redstone Golf Club Tournament Course, Humble, Texas.

First-round score: 2-under-par 70.

Position: Moore is tied for 43rd after his first round. Paul Casey is 8-under through two rounds, and Geoff Ogilvy and John Senden are also 8-under, but still playing their second round.

Recap: The Puyallup golfer came back Friday morning and completed his first round with two birdies over his final 13 holes. He his a wedge on the par-4 12th close, and sank a 6-foot putt for one birdie, and made a 13-footer on the par-3 16th for the other one.

Tee time Saturday: Second round, he'll tee off from the 10th tee at 6:55 a.m. PDT. If he makes the cut, he'll start the third round and likely get through at least half of it before it is suspended because of darkness.

This week: Nationwide Tour’s Stonebrae Classic, Thursday through Sunday, TPC San Francisco Bay, Hayward, Calif.

First-round score: 2-over-par 73.

Position: Putnam is tied for 77nd, eight strokes behind leader Todd Demsey (66).

Recap: The Tacoma golfer’s final nine sure became adventurous (four bogeys, two birdies), and 34 putts were the biggest reason for the over-par showing on day one.

Tee time Friday: 1:50 p.m. PDT off the first tee.

This week: PGA Tour’s Shell Houston Open, Thursday through Sunday, Redstone Golf Club’s Tournament Course, Humble, Texas

First-round score: Even-par through five holes.

Position: Moore is tied for 17th with the first round yet complete. England’s Lee Westwood is out front at 4-under through nine holes.

Recap: Delays from a morning thunderstorm, and afternoon winds gusts that reached 40 mph, suspended play with only half the field teed off. Moore was one of those, exchanging a birdie on the par-5 fourth with a bogey on the par-4 fifth.

Tee times Friday: Resumption of the first round starts at 6 a.m. PDT. Moore will tee off for his second round sometime in the afternoon.

This week: Nationwide Tour's Stonebrae Classic, Thursday through Sunday, TPC San Francisco Bay, Hayward, Calif.

World ranking: 686th.

2009 earnings: $8,466 (72nd on the Nationwide Tour).

Last tournament: The Tacoma product made his third cut in five starts at last week's Louisiana Open (tied for 53th at 1-under 283), and has cashed a paycheck for two consecutive tournaments. The one area of his game Putnam has really worked hard at – and improved – is his putting. He's 24th in putting average (1.755 strokes per green hit in regulation) and 44th in putts per round (29.50). The Pepperdine All-American is 17th in total birdies (57). On a side note, Tacoma's Troy Kelly, after being an alternate to get into the PGA Tour stop, the Houston Open, instead is playing the Stonebrae Classic today.

Tee time Thursday: 9 a.m. PDT off the 10th tee with Justin Hicks and Patrick Sheehan.

This week: PGA Tour's Shell Houston Open, Thursday through Sunday, Redstone Golf Club Tournament Course, Humble, Texas.

World ranking: 169th.

2009 earnings: $274,813 (82nd on the PGA Tour).

Last tournament: Don't look now, but the Puyallup native is starting to get on a roll. He made back-to-back cuts last month at the Puerto Rico Open (tied for 44th) and the Transitions Championship (tied for 19th at 1-under 283) on March 22. He's fired scores of even-par or better in eight of his past nine rounds. Is he ready to jump back into the 60s? He hasn't posted a round in the 60s since the Northern Trust Open (first-round 68), or back-to-back rounds in the 60s since the FBR Open in early February. This is the first time since 2007 he's played in the Houston Open, in a last-ditch effort to make the Masters field.

Tee time Thursday: 6:30 a.m. PDT off the first tee with Rich Beem and J.J. Henry.