Tour Report: Watch: The Bubba show (PGATOUR.com)

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Bubba Watson’s been bashing his way around TPC Louisiana. Here’s a closer look at his swing.

For a look at his birdie on the 11th hole, click here.

Update: Simpson still leading — for now

We’re 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.

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.

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.

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’re still on the golf course.

Simpson extends birdie streak

By Brian Wacker, PGATOUR.COM Site Producer

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

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.

In case you’re 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.

Logjam at the top in New Orleans

By Brian Wacker, PGATOUR.COM Site Producer

So much for Bubba Watson’s lead. He now has company at 10 under in the form of Webb Simpson and John Rollins. They’re 3 and 2 under in the third round, respectively, while Watson is even par through his first three holes.

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.

It’s 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.

Already, Simpson has made more money this year than he did in all of 2010 and he’s obviously well on his way to adding to that this week.

Rollins on the other hand has been more of a head-scratcher. Statistically, he’s been solid. On the scorecard, though, he’s just not putting up the numbers.

In 10 starts, Rollins has missed the cut five times and he has just one finish inside the top 40 — a tie for 20th in Tampa.

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’s simply putting the ball in the hole better than he has all year.

McNeill goes low, moves into contention

By Brian Wacker, PGATOUR.COM Site Producer

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.

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

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.

Given his status, McNeill came into this week with just four starts. If he continues to play this well, he’ll certainly get a lot more.

Teater on pace for career week

By Brian Wacker, PGATOUR.COM Site Producer

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 — he’s currently one shot back of leader Bubba Watson — he’d move inside the top 30.

How did Teater, who has just one finish in the top 50 this season, play his way into Saturday’s final group? Simple: Putting.

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.

For the week, he’s converted nine putts from outside 10 feet — second-most in the field.

Click here to follow Teater and Watson live with Shot Tracker

Your open thread: Zurich Classic, Rd. 3

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Bubba Watson enters the weekend at 10 under and with a one-shot lead.

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’s round here.

Scores | Shot Tracker | Tee Times | Groups to watch

Watson’s accuracy the difference

By Brian Wacker, PGATOUR.COM Site Producer

We’re 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.

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’d like move to No. 1.

Watson’s always been one of the longest hitters on the PGA TOUR — he currently ranks second at 308.2 yards off the tee — but now he’s dialing in his irons. Case in point: He’s also second on TOUR in greens in regulation and second in ball-striking.

Not surprisingly, Watson also leads the TOUR in par-5 scoring.

This week has just been an extension of all that. Watson of course leads the field in driving distance, but he’s also tied for first in greens hit — 86 percent compared to a field average of 60 percent — and has two eagles through the first two rounds. 

Is there any wonder why he’s leading?