Changes coming for GOLFOBSERVER & GOLFSTATS
starting on Tuesday

The pages inside Golfobserver is now a subscription based site. For those that have joined, you should have your user name and passwords to access the site. For others, we hope that you will join us. At the bottom of this page is more information but for those that haven't joined, click here so you can get to our membership page, to subscribe today.

-----------------------------------------------------

© David Gannon/Getty Images
Thorbjorn Olesen shot 67 and leads by a shot.

As for the grand pairing, McIlroy was in position to co-lead until a lapse in which on his final hole (Number nine) he brushed sand away from his line. But he was six feet off the putting surface and playing partner Luke Donald instantly brought it to his attention. "I wasn't thinking clearly and just made a very stupid mental mistake," McIlroy said following an even par 72 that left him tied for fourth on five under par and part of a group which also included Tiger Woods. As for his day, it was a roller-coaster day in which he made six birdies, two bogeys and two double bogeys. On Thursday McIlroy took 25 putts and got it up and down 4 of the 6 greens he missed. But the magic wasn't with him on Friday as he took 28 putts and was 0 for 4 in getting it up and down. As for Woods he was more in control of his game, with five birdies and two bogeys for his 69. Woods may not of hit the ball as good on Friday as Thursday, the big stat for Woods was taking 28 putts instead of 35 on Thursday.

Things are incredibly bunched up as 21 players are withing 4 of Olesen. Some big names, Robert Karlsson and Paul Lawrie are in the logjam at 5 under. At 4 under par, 3 back is a logjame of great players with Sergio Garcia and Padraig Harrington shot 69s and are tied with Charl Schwartzel, Jose Manuel Lara and Richie Ramsay are at 4 under. Key players at 3 under, four back are Graeme McDowell, Francesco Molinari and Miguel Angel Jimenez.

Look at some of those that are disappointed, Lee Westwood who has been troubled with a neck problem that he has had since Christmas. Good news, Westwood shot even par 72 for the second straight day and his even par so far is good enough to make the cut. Another key name that made the cut, even though it was on the number was K.J. Choi

Those that have the weekend off included defending champion Martin Kaymer, winner of the title three of the past four years, but he was 6 over this week. Colin Montgomerie shot 76 while British Open champion and British Open Champion Darren Clarke (81) and South African Branden Grace, winner the last two weeks in South Africa, failed to make the cut either.

Check out Sal Johnson' preview, tournament picks and favorites for the week, along with who's hot and who's not. For Fantasy golf players check out our Abu Dhab performance chart. and our brand new and sortable 8-year glance of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.

------------------------------------------------------------

© Harry How/Getty Images
Kyle Stanley and Spencer Levin lead by one after shooting 62.

The lowest score on the South Course was turned in by Marc Turnesa who had a 66. For Levin he was bogey-free as he was 1 under through his first six holes before going crazy, making 9 birdies in his last 12 holes. He shot a 7-under 29 on the back nine. The 62 matches his career-best round of 62 at the 2009 Justin Timberlake. As for Kyle Stanley, he started the round with four birdies on his first five holes, made five straight pars before making a bogey at 11. He then played his last seven holes in 7 under, including an eagle at 18. Stanley making his 41st start on the PGA Tour had his career round, his previous best was a 64 at the 2011 Justin Timberlake.

BIll Haas round of 63 was remarkable because he had a double bogey at the 6th hole and birdied 11 holes, the most of the day. Some other scores of note, Dustin Johnson who many were afraid could be in trouble after withdrawing from the Humana with back problems looked great shooting a bogey-free 66 on the South Course. Rickie Fowler making his first start of the year, had 68 on the North Course. Defending champion Bubba Watson had a 69 on the North Course along with Keegan Bradley while Ryo Ishikawa and Nick Watney had 69s on the South Course.

Disappointments of the day were Ernie Els who shot 71 on the South Course and is T74th, while also on the South Course Geoff Ogilvy shot 72. The biggest disappointment had to be from local hero Phil Mickelson who turned in a 77 on the South Course. Mickelson hit only 6 of 14 fairways, 9 of 18 greens, took 32 putts and had only two birdies. It matched his second highest score in this event in 80 rounds, his shot 77 in the third round in 1997. Mickelson's highest round at the Farmers was 78 in the third round in 2005. Mickelson only beat six other pros on a perfect day and even though he will be playing the easier North Course on Friday, will need 67 just to make the cut.

Sal Johnson previews the Farmers and with historical data in chart form determines what it will take to win this week on top of some historical perspective from past Farmers.
Also check out Johnson' tournament picks and favorites for the week, along with who's hot and who's not. For Fantasy golf players check out our Farmers Insurance performance chart. and our brand new and sortable 8-year glance of the Farmers Insurance.

------------------------
A NEW
GOLFOBSERVER & GOLFSTATS
for 2012

At the start of the year we switched over to our new site. Presently we are running at about 99.9% and have very little bugs to work out.

As you are seeing, we have launched a revamped Golfobserver site.

The good news is that we are adding a lot of new features and functionality mostly in Golfstats, our blogs and fantasy golf to make the site more usable. One of our biggest additions is new charts that is geared at giving folks a better understanding on how players do over the course of the last 8 years in which in one chart you can see how a player has done over the course of the last 8 years and the chart is fully sortable to give you a better look at where the player does well and poorly.

Check out Ernie Els complete glance here: