The Travelers Championship

John Merrick has caught Kenny Perry atop the leaderboard at 11-under par.

He has birdied each of his first three holes, the most recent a 7-footer on the par-4 third. The PGA Tour’s computer tracking software (ShotLink) says Merrick’s second shot came “from other.” Usually it says “from fairway,” “from fringe,” “from green” or the like.

We’ll have to ask Merrick when he comes in what the “other” surface he played from was. (My first guess in cart path but it could have been cottage cheese or a woman’s umbrella).

- Neill

John Merrick has gone birdie-birdie to start his third round and is within one of Kenny Perry’s lead (tied with David Toms).

Perry, Toms and Ryan Moore have just gone off the first tee. All three have long tries (12-20 feet) for birdie on No. 1.

- Neill

J.J. Henry has bridied two of his first five holes in round three to begin his long, slow climb back into contention. Now, at 6-under, Henry, the Fairfield native, is five shots  behind leader Kenny Perry. He holed out from the fringe at No. 12, chipping in from 23-feet and nailed his approach on the par-5 13th to three-feet and made the putt.

Still a long way to go, though.

Kerry Perry (-11), David Toms (-10) and Ryan Moore (-9) are about to tee off.

According to Travelers Championship officials, over 3,000 green ribbons were handed out to show support for Champions Tour player and five-time PGA Tour winner Ken Green of Danbury, who was severely injured in a June 8 auto accident in Mississippi. More ribbons will be handed out today.

A few notes as we wait for round three to go.

David Toms made two birdies in five holes this morning to get within one of the lead.

“Made a nice putt there on my first hole on No. 5 for a birdie and then finished up with a birdie on 9,” Toms said. “So yeah, I played well this morning.”

Ben Curtis, the 2003 British Open champ (and noted blower-offer of this tournament that year) is lurking, too. He shot a 64 in the second round _ the lowest in the round _ and is three shots off the pace.

- Neill

The second round of the Travelers Championship is over. Kenny Perry has a one-stroke lead over David Toms.

Fairfield’s J.J. Henry made the cut though he’s way back.

The third round is about to begin. They’re using both tees and will play in threesomes as opposed to twosomes (rain concerns).

The first groups tee off at 11:10 a.m. and the leaders (Perry, Toms and Ryan Moore) will leave the first tee at 1:20 p.m.

- Neill

The third round tee times are scheduled to begin between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. with threesomes going off both the first and 10th tees.

J.J. Henry’s second round is finished and the Fairfield native stayed right where he was after round one. He never got anything close to the pin, only made two birdies (and two bogeys) and finished with an even-par 70 that left him at 4-under — seven shots behind leader Kenny Perry.

Since today (Saturday) is considered “moving day” J.J. better start moving REALLY FAST in round three to get back in contention.