Weir Regains Deutsche Bank Lead - Faldo Taps Poulter, Casey.

Too bad Mike Weir didn't lead the Deutsche Bank Championship after yesterday. That way a victory tomorrow would have given him a "Weir to Weir" win. Weir's 67 gave him a one stroke lead over hard charging Camilo Villegas. Villegas' masterful 63 brought him to this juncture on a day, unlike the first two, where going low finally had to be earned. Swirling winds and a drier layout fattened scores throughout the field. Weir's opening day 62 had been matched by Tim Clark yesterday. Clark added 11 strokes to his score today to balloon to a 73 and a fall to T8. The current "in group" of Vijay and Sergio are joined at the hip at -14. It seems these guys are always on the same screen lately. Sharing a room? Four off the lead is the triumverate of Ernie Els, Jim Furyk, and Ben Crane, who turned in a stellar 63 today, especially considering the tougher conditions.

Due to the PGA Tour's new, almost indecipherable cut rules, 14 players played the 3rd round, but won't be here tomorrow due to the "2nd, or day 3 cut", the pupose of which is to limit the day 4 field to 70 or fewer players. Notableds included Kenny Perry, Aaron Baddeley, Adam Scott, Phil Mickelson, and the weirdest of all Eric Axley. Axley threatened the lead for two days opening with 65, 69. Today's 80 however left him high and dry.

Expect a close finish tomorrow with plenty of big names to pique your interest.

Faldo Selects Poulter and Casey.

Captain Nick Faldo picked Ian Poulter and Paul Casey to fill out his Ryder Cup roster. The picks came with plenty of controversy, especially with the passing over of Darren Clarke. Clarke won in Holland last week for his 2nd victory of the year, compared to no wins for Casey/Poulter combined. Clarke was the emotional leader as well for the Euros in 2004, playing after the recent death of his wife and winning all three of his matches. Colin Montgomerie had hoped to have been chosen on the strength of his impressive Ryder Cup record alone, since his play of recent hasn't distinguished him in any way whatsoever. Still, it will be strange to see a Euro team without Monty, a fixture since 1988. This will mark the 1st time since 1937 that no Scotsman has been on the European squad. As an American I'm glad Clarke was dissed. It makes our chances better. As a golf fan I wanted to see him. Poulter should be able to turn his whining tears of recent into tears of joy, or at least fake it.

Til' next,

*Average Golfer added feature...Check out the British Press' slant on Captain Faldo's picks.