Round 3: Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospital for Children Open October 1 2011 9:22 pm Teebox snafu nothing new for Na Halleran/Getty Images Kevin Na could be the next player to use the Fall Series as a springboard for a big season. By Chris Dunham, PGATOUR.COM In its brief history, the Fall Series has served stage for players to set the tone for breakout seasons. Dustin Johnson got his first victory in 2008, Matt Kuchar broke a seven-year winless drought in 2009 and Bill Haas had a win and a runner-up finish last year before winning the 2011 FedExCup. Kevin Na hopes to join that list. The 28-year old who grew up in California has 28 top-10 finishes in his 131 career PGA TOUR starts but has still yet to break through with that first victory. He enters Sunday tied at 17 under atop the leaderboard with four-time PGA TOUR winner Nick Watney. “I’ve been in the final group a bunch of times,” Na said. “It’s just another final group. The only thing is, you know, that I haven’t won. So the way I look at it, I’m due. I’m just going to go out there and play as best as I can and hopefully I’ll catch some good breaks, and hopefully I’ll be lifting the trophy.” Oddly enough, the most talked-about shot of the 5-under Saturday for Na was a shot he didn’t take. On the teebox of the drivable par-5 15th hole, Na was in the middle of his swing when something didn’t feel right with the transfer of his weight. He pulled up, intentionally missed the ball, gathered himself and then played the shot. “I’ll take it back; it feels decent, and my transition is what I’m always working on,” Na said. “It’s always my bad habit is I get quick. And on the way down my transition doesn’t feel right, and I try to stop, and obviously it’s impossible for me to stop. The only way for me to stop is I have to come up and go over the ball.” Na, who listed a few other instances which he’s pulled up in similar fashion, has talked to rules officials about the move and been given the OK. “I’ve had a talk with a bunch of rules officials, I mean even a couple years ago,” he said. “I remember at (the Sony Open in Hawaii), It started with the left arm injury and it kind of became a habit. I told them: ‘Hey, guys, I do this all the time. So I’m just letting you know ahead of time that I do this all the time.’ And we had a big talk, and he said ‘It’s not a big deal. As long as you don’t make contact, it doesn’t matter.’” Picking up the momentum he lost on the back nine Sunday will be a big deal for Na. He birdied seven of his last 10 holes in Round 2, then was 4 under on the front nine Saturday before coming in at 1 under on what has played as the easier nine at TPC Summerlin. If he’s able to get back into the same kind of attacking mode that got him to 16 under through 45 holes in Vegas, Na could very well join the ranks of PGA TOUR winners. “Obviously it’s going to be incredible (if I win), but that’s the last thing I want to do is put more pressure on myself,” Na said. “Like I said, I’ve been out here eight years knocking on the door and it hasn’t happened. I mean I know it’s going to happen sooner or later. I’d like to see it happen tomorrow.” Filed under: Kevin Na