THE OVERVIEW IRVING, Texas – Jordan Spieth will remember TPC Four Seasons Las Colinas as the venue for his first start on the PGA TOUR, back when he was a 16-year-old junior in high school at Dallas Jesuit Prep. That first tee shot, off the 10th tee in the opening round, will forever reside in his memory bank. “Tough to pin one memory,” he said, “but that one is probably the most special at this point.” Sergio Garcia has a similar history with the course. He had just turned pro in 1999 as a 19-year-old and was making his first TOUR start at TPC Four Seasons. He tied for third that week – albeit seven shots behind winner Loren Roberts, who beat Steve Pate in a playoff. Five years later, Garcia won at TPC Four Seasons for his fourth TOUR win. Last year, he won for the second time at the course, his ninth win on TOUR. He comes into this week looking to become the first AT&T Byron Nelson defending champ to successfully defend since Tom Watson completed his string of three consecutive wins at Preston Trail 37 years ago. So yeah, Garcia has fond memories here too. “It’s always going to have something extra special in me, this golf course,” Garcia said. Same for Jason Day, who in 2010 won for the first time on TOUR. Same for Keegan Bradley, who followed Day the next year by posting his first TOUR win here – and then followed it a few months later by winning the PGA Championship. After 35 years, the TPC Four Seasons Resort is hosting the AT&T Byron Nelson for the last time. Next year’s event will move to Trinity Forest, a new course just six miles from downtown Dallas. Thus, this week offers players the chance to bid farewell. For those who’ve enjoyed success here – and even for some, like Spieth, who haven’t – there will be some sadness. “It’s a bit bittersweet,” said Spieth, whose tie for 16th in that 2010 debut remains his best finish in his hometown event. “I’m looking forward to creating the best memories yet this week.” Said Garcia: “I’m sure the new place we’re moving to, it’s going to be amazing. But … a little piece of my heart is always going to stay here, no matter where we go.” THREE PLAYERS TO PONDER Dustin Johnson His track record at TPC Four Seasons doesn’t include a win, but he sure does seem to play well in this event. Jason Day Was ranked 171st in the world when he won in 2010. Last week he fell in the rankings … to No. 4. Brooks Koepka Was in the playoff against Sergio Garcia last year. Maybe this turns into a big-hitter duel with DJ and Day? THE FLYOVER A closer look at the AT&T Byron Nelson’s closing hole, the 429-yard par-4 18th. Last year, it was the fourth most difficult hole on the course, playing to a stroke average of 4.079. THE LANDING ZONE The 528-yard third hole is the longest par 4 on the course, and ranked as the most difficult last year, playing to a stroke average of 4.158. The field managed just 58 birdies, fewest of any hole. Water running down the right side offers danger, but there are also bunkers on the left, leaving players with a narrow tee shot. The approach to a small green continues the challenge. Check out the scattershot chart of all the tee shots struck at the 12th hole last year. WEATHER CHECK Rain is in the forecast this week, with the highest chance on Saturday. According to PGA TOUR meteorologist Stewart Williams, an upper-level low pressure system will move into the region Thursday night, then a cold front follows. After morning showers Sunday, conditions should improve for the leaders that afternoon. TEMPS: A high of 90 on Thursday and possibly Friday, with slightly cooler temperatures on Sunday. RAIN: There’s an 80 percent chance of rain Saturday, and 30 percent chance the other three days. WINDS: Gusts of up to 25 mph for the first two rounds, and slightly less on the weekend. Still, it’s Texas, so wind will be a factor. For the latest weather news from Irving, Texas, check out PGATOUR.COM’s Weather Hub. ODDS AND ENDS 1. TALE OF TWO JORDANS. Something happens to Jordan Spieth after making the cut at TPC Four Seasons – he turns from Dr. Jekyll to Mr. Hyde. In his first six appearances, he’s 29 under collectively in the first two rounds, but 17 over on the weekend rounds. He’s suffered twice as many bogeys in the final two rounds (53) than the first two (23). Just … weird. 2. POULTER’S RECOVERY SHOT. Yes, Ian Poulter has seen the replay of his fourth shot through the trees at the 18th hole Sunday at TPC Sawgrass several times. “It’s hard not to see it on social media,” said Poulter, who’s in the field this week after his tie for second. He nearly holed the shot for 116 yards for a walk-off par after a shank and a penalty forced him into a go-for-broke situation. “It’s probably the highest, toughest shot I’ve ever pulled off,” he said. “I wouldn’t want to go back and have another go at it, if that’s what you’re asking me.” 3. WATER? NO BOTHER. Last year, Sergio Garcia found the water twice in the final round at TPC Four Seasons yet still won. That made him just the third player in the ShotLink era to hit two balls in the water in the last round and still win. Adam Scott did it earlier in 2016 at the then-World Golf Championships-Cadillac Championship, and Russell Henley did it in 2014 at The Honda Classic. 4. GOTTA SHOOT IN THE 60s. Of the last 22 winners at TPC Four Seasons, 16 have recorded all rounds in the 60s, including the last five champions. WATCH THE PREVIEW
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