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Saturday
Sep112010

Rain doesn't put damper on early arrivals

Writing from Lemont, Illinois
Saturday, September 11, 2010

They’re off and running under a light rain – sometimes a heavy drizzle – in the third round of the 107th Western Open, and there are people watching.

Never let it be said that the real Chicago golf fan isn’t hardy. The casual spectator may pack up his folding stool after Labor Day, but the real fan turns out, poncho at the ready, umbrella in hand, and that was the case Saturday morning.

Even as the various BMWs speckled around Dubsdread were rained on, the gallery hugged the ropelines to watch Tiger Woods tee off on the 10th, and nearly as many stood by the first tee 10 minutes later to see Phil Mickelson commence play.

That crowd, and the others making their way to various points of vantage, might have totaled 500, not including marshals, WGA officials, and other workers. And it’s a good sign, given the early start and finish dictated by NBC, which set the closing time for the third round of the officially-titled BMW Championship based on the kickoff of Notre Dame’s home football game with Michigan. You may have heard of that rivalry.

The leaders start at 9:15 a.m. It’ll be Matt Kuchar and Charlie Wi at 6-under, and Mark Leishman at 5-under, battling each other and, perhaps, the elements. It’s supposed to clear up later in the day, but Kuchar, battling the flu or something, is advised to bundle up.

Updates as warranted, and complete coverage at the conclusion of play.

– Tim Cronin

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