Northern Trust Open: Third round begins, Fred Couples the leader

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

Play began in the Northern Trust Open at Riviera Country Club on Saturday morning.

Before the cut was made for all those with scores higher than three-under par, Australian Aaron Baddeley joined a group that had finished its second round Friday at six-under par and two shots behind leader Fred Couples for second place.

Defending champion Steve Stricker and 22-year-old Rickie Fowler, who is trying to add to his growing reputation for wearing colorful clothes and having the creativity to craft exciting golf shots by winning his first tournament, were on the good side of the cut line. Fowler and Stricker are two-over.

Not so lucky were big names such as Canadian major winner Mike Weir, last year’s runner-up Luke Donald and last week’s winner at the Bob Hope Classic, D.A. Points.

Couple, J.B. Holmes and John Senden will be the final group teeing off today at 10:50 a.m.

-- Diane Pucin