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." Rangers Adrian Beltre Jersey .com) - The Vancouver Canucks hope an upcoming stretch of home games will be enough to get the club into the postseason. Rangers Jerseys China .com) - The Utah Jazz look to put an end to their five-game losing streak when the Denver Nuggets visit Salt Lake City Monday night. http://www.cheaprangersauthenticjerseys.com/?tag=rangers-matt-moore-jersey . -- Atlanta Braves pitcher Tommy Hanson is being checked for a possible concussion after blowing a tire on his way to the first workout of spring training. Rangers Nick Gardewine Jersey . "I never commented to anyone that I wanted out," he explained. "My heart is with this group and making the playoffs." Kesler added that the rumours are "completely false" that he asked to be traded - recently or ever. Rangers Jose Leclerc Jersey . A spokeswoman for the NLRB says its "a very incremental move" and does not necessarily indicate the board is close to a finding in the case. NFL owners filed an unfair labour charge against the players union in February, arguing that the union was not negotiating a new collective bargaining agreement in good faith.SAN FRANCISCO - Barry Zito has known for months he would be leaving the Giants after seven up-and-down years in San Francisco. The sides formally parted ways Saturday, when the Giants declined to exercise Zitos $18 million contract option for next season and instead owe the left-hander a $7 million buyout. Also Saturday, San Francisco declined its $3 million mutual option for outfielder Andres Torres and must pay him a $500,000 buyout. The biggest decision still facing general manager Brian Sabean and assistant GM Bobby Evans is due by Monday: Whether to exercise right-hander Ryan Vogelsongs $6.5 million club option that includes a $300,000 buyout. Because the 35-year-old Zito realized this moment was coming, he recently took out a full-page newspaper ad to thank the fans for standing by him through a tough tenure on this side of San Francisco Bay. The 2002 AL Cy Young Award winner across the water for the Oakland Athletics, Zito just completed a $126 million, seven-year contract with the Giants. Zito pitched Game 5 of the NL championship series at St. Louis last year with his team facing elimination as the Giants rallied to win the series in seven games, then won Game 1 in a surprising World Series sweep of the Tigers — after he was left off the post-season roster for all three rounds in 2010. Sabean and manager Bruce Bochy each has credited Zito for his work to find his rhythm again despite the struggles, not to mention his class during difficult situations on and off the field. Both of his parents died in recent years, including his father, Joe, this past season. "On the field and off the field, a lot of things happened in these years," Zito said. "I got married and became a Christian, lost both my parents. Just so mucch.dddddddddddd And on the field, obviously had some lows there for a while and also this year, and then the World Series in 2012 for me was such an incredible experience. Im so grateful I got to experience that and be a part of it and help bring it home for San Francisco. The way it worked, Zito was replaced in his final start and didnt get a curtain call or chance to tip his cap to the crowd at AT&T Park on Sept. 25. "Theres not a lot of chance for closure, I think, in sports," he said. "Guys sign contracts, they come to cities, theyre kind of like the citys own. And theres never really goodbyes. But thats National League baseball. Youve got to pinch hit." Zito had a 63-80 record with a 4.62 ERA in 197 starts and 208 appearances for the Giants. His buyout is payable in installments with 1 per cent interest each Jan. 15 from 2014 through 2020. "Theres lots of stuff that he could complain about. Ive never heard him say a negative word about anything," fellow lefty starter Madison Bumgarner said. "Hes a lot tougher than people realize. Hes a gentleman in the game and hes a competitor. Hes truly a good teammate, one of the best teammates Ive had in my short career so far. It would definitely be hard to top him." Zito and Torres, another member of the 2010 World Series team, now become free agents. Torres, 35, batted .250 with two homers and 21 RBIs in 103 games this past season. Zito has said he still wants to pitch next season somewhere. "Just going to go home this off-season, take a few weeks off and see what my heart tells me," he said. "My bodys still healthy and my minds fairly healthy. Its been injured here and there along the way, but I think I can manage." Jerseys NFL ChinaCheap Adidas NHL JerseysWholesale Jerseys From ChinaCheap MLB Jerseys WholesaleChina JerseysNFL Jerseys ChinaDiscount Soccer JerseysWholesale Jerseys ChinaChina NCAA Jerseys CheapCheap Nike Dolphins JerseysCheap Nike Patriots JerseysCheap Nike Jets JerseysCheap Nike Bengals JerseysCheap Nike Browns JerseysCheap Nike Steelers JerseysCheap Nike Texans JerseysCheap Nike Colts JerseysCheap Nike Jaguars JerseysCheap Nike Titans JerseysCheap Nike Broncos Jerseys ' ' '