Regeln » ad await the announcement. #OpenGym #WeTheNorth A

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Tom Watson gives an edge to the long hitters at rain-soaked Shoal Creek. Watson figures guys like Bernhard Langer, Kenny Perry and Fred Couples could have an easier time of it on some holes in rainy, chilly and windy weather at the $2.2 million Regions Tradition starting Thursday. It is the first of the Champions Tours five major championships. "The par 5s really play into their hands," Watson said on Wednesday. "The rest of us, were stretching it getting to the par 5s, especially when it gets wet. "With the predicted rains, it will be tough to get to these par 5s. But Kenny and Freddie Couples shouldnt have a lot of problem." Then theres Langer, who has already won twice this season and reached 20 victories on the 50-and-over tour. "The way Bernhard Langer is going, we need to break his leg," Watson joked. The weather could once again have a big impact on the scenic 7,145-yard, par-72 Shoal Creek course. Rain shortened the pro-ams on Wednesday with more showers expected on Thursday and temperatures possibly plunging into the 40s over the weekend. Play was twice suspended in last years Tradition, the second straight year rain and/or lightning had affected the tournament. It remains to be seen if rain can slow down Langer, coming off his third victory at the Insperity Invitational and finishing eighth at the Masters. "The rain will make the course play much longer," the German said. "The rough will be heavier because of the wet grass. The greens will be a little bit slower. Id rather see the other conditions, but Ive played well in all sorts of conditions. You just have to adjust and do the best with what you find." Langer finished second behind two-time winner Tom Lehman in 2012 and 10th last year. He beat Couples by a stroke at The Woodlands in Texas on May 4. David Frost held on for a one-stroke win over Couples last year at Shoal Creek. Couples opened the season tying for second with Jeff Sluman in Hawaii, behind Langer. "Fred Couples made it pretty clear, I think, in Hawaii, that hes trying to win the Schwab Cup, so were trying to give him some competition here and make it hard for him," Langer said. Fellow World Golf Hall of Famers Watson and Colin Montgomerie arent as well acquainted with the course as some of their peers. Watson, a two-time Masters champion, is competing in the Tradition for the first time since the events debut at Shoal Creek in 2011. He finished tied for 32nd. His history with the course goes back a few decades, though, to the 1984 PGA championship won by Lee Trevino. Watson said the Bermuda rough was so deep "they had three marshals on each side of the fairways because you could lose your golf ball." "Lee Trevino, it was right in his wheelhouse," he said. "He hit the ball so straight off the tee, and he just rarely missed a fairway. And thats what you had to do on this golf course." Montgomerie of Scotland is nearing his anniversary on the 50-and-over tour and makes his Shoal Creek debut. He said the course has a good reputation. "Ive heard a lot about it," Montgomerie said. "You talk about youre going to Alabama and then you say Shoal Creek and everybody in golf knows where youre going or where youve been. This is one of those classic courses. Having played nine holes (Tuesday) and nine holes today, I understand what theyre talking about. A very, very good golf course. "You can drive the ball great but at the same time its more of a second-shot course where I can see there are some pins in awkward places — backside, middle, front, whatever. It will be a great test. Im looking forward to trying to challenge this course." Hydro Flask Wide Mouth . Meeks has agreed to a $19.5 million, three-year deal with Detroit, a person familiar with the situation said Tuesday night. The person, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because free agents cant sign contracts until the leagues moratorium ends July 10, also said Cartier Martin had agreed to a one-year contract with the rebuilding franchise. Hydro Flask Coffee Mug . Aaron Hill and Cliff Pennington hit home runs in the first inning for the Diamondbacks, who beat the Miami Marlins 3-2 on Friday night. http://www.hydroflaskcoffeesale.com/hydr...dard-mouth.html. -- The Val-dOr Foreurs made it to the Memorial Cup semifinal thanks to their workhorse goaltender and their ability to hang around like a bad cold. 24 Oz Standard Mouth Hydro Flask . The Italian side scored twice in a four-minute span in the second half to defeat former stars from S. Hydro Flask Coffee 12 Oz .com) - Its fair to call Mike McCarthy one of the best coaches in the NFL but its also more than objective to point out that the veteran mentor bookended the Green Bay Packers season with two, truly awful game plans in Seattle.Congratulations Kyle Lowry @Klow7 on becoming an @NBAAllStar. Well deserved. pic.twitter.com/1gy9n7XB9F— TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 23, 2015 JUST IN: @Raptors G @Klow7 voted in a as a starter for 2015 @NBA All-Star Game. #WeTheNorth pic.twitter.com/NI1xzMNKh1— SportsCentre (@SportsCentre) January 23, 2015 #KyleLowry - #AllStar starter!! @thetorontoraptors #WeTheNorth A photo posted by TSN (@tsn_official) on Jan 22, 2015 at 4:19pm PST We The East. @JohnWall and @Klow7 are ready for #NBAAllStarNYC. #teamadidas pic.twitter.com/5La50IOSwf— adidas Basketball (@adidasHoops) January 23, 2015 Lowry trailed Wade by over 100,000 votes when the balloting was last updated! Kyle Lowry trailed the Heat's Dwyane Wade by over 100,000 votes at the last balloting update. He starts in his 1st NBA All-Star appearance— SportsCentre (@SportsCentre) January 23, 2015 The Raptors had prepared a short quotation from Lowry, thanking his fans for all their support. @kyle_lowry7 WILL start at the 2015 @NBA All-Star Game! Congrats Kyle and a huge thanks to all who voted! #WeTheNorth #RTZ #Toronto #Raptors #NBA #NBAAllStar #Canada A photo posted by Toronto Raptors (@thetorontoraptors) on Jan 22, 2015 at 4:25pm PST The Raptors players were all together at Lowrys house in Philadelphia for the evening and began congratulating their teammate one by one on social media after the announcement. @kyle_lowry7 and the squad await the announcement. #OpenGym #WeTheNorth A photo posted by Jeff Landicho (@thebasketballproducer) on Jan 22, 2015 at 4:09pm PST Congrats to my brotha!!! A photo posted by DeMar DeRozan (@demar_derozan) on Jan 22, 2015 at 4:26pm PST "Woooooo That Boy Good!!!" congratulations not only on making it but starting @kyle_lowry7 #WeTheNorth #CanadaStandUpPhillyToo A photo posted by @iamamirjohnson on Jan 22, 2015 at 4:45pm PST A little blurry but who cares.. Congrats to my big bro @kyle_lowry7.. Proud of u fam. #raptors #wethenorth A photo posted by Patrick Patterson (@pdpatt) on Jan 22, 2015 at 4:20pm PST Blessing to share the moment with your family n the team @kyle_lowry7 congrats A photo posted by @broke_3 on Jan 22, 2015 at 4:30pm PST Congratulations to @Klow7 on his all-star starting spot! #WeTheNorth— Landry Fields (@landryfields) January 23, 2015 Congrats big bro #allstar A photo posted by Terrence Ross (@3tross1) on Jan 22, 2015 at 4:46pm PST Well deserved for @kyle_lowry7 !!! Congratulations and I'm not surprised at all, I know how hard @kyle_lowry7 works.dddddddddddd. @kyle_lowry7 se merece ser abridor en el juego de las estrellas por todo lo que ha hecho por nuestro equipo.. Es un profesional de alto nivel. #bigtime A photo posted by #TeamVasquez (@greivisvasquez) on Jan 22, 2015 at 4:57pm PST And even members of the media wanted to congratulate Lowry on his achievement! Yes!!! @Klow7 a starter!!! #NBAAllStar #WeTheNorth— Kate Beirness (@KateBeirness) January 23, 2015 Success! #KyleLowry #NBAAllStar Just sounds right. #RTZ #WeTheNorth— Nabil Karim (@NabilKarimTSN) January 23, 2015 Yes, it happened! You the @Raptors fans did it, congrats to you & @Klow7, you're all All-Stars! #WeTheNorth— Matt Devlin (@Matt__Devlin) January 23, 2015 No question without Bieber and Drake Lowry isn't voted in as an All Star starter . Canada made this happen. Congrats.— chuck swirsky (@swirsk054) January 23, 2015 Not really because he brought attention to Lowry...end result, social media is strong..people figure things out quickly— chuck swirsky (@swirsk054) January 23, 2015 And even the Prime Minister of Canada! Great work by all of Canada's basketball fans for helping to make @Klow7 an #NBAAllStarNYC starter. Congrats, Kyle. #wethenorth @raptors— Stephen Harper (@pmharper) January 23, 2015 And of course, no thanks to Justin Bieber for not following the NBAs rules on how to vote and having thousands of votes not counted (dont worry Bieber, its the thought that counts). Congratulations again, Kyle Lowry! Continue to make the Raptors organization and all of Canada proud! ' ' '