Getting Our Bearings

It's shaping up to be a difficult weekend at THE PLAYERS. And due to the fact that it is quite a lot the best sport on the town this week, let's see if I can positioned matters in a little perspective.

Martin Kaymer and Jordan Spieth have -- for the moment -- separated themselves from the sector. Kaymer leads at -12, Spieth is at -eleven, Russell Henley is a few back at -8, and the following closest pursuers are at -6. However, the ones pursuers are higher defined as a hungry % of sharks:

• Jim Furyk
• Sergio Garcia
• Lee Westwood
• Gary Woodland
• Justin Rose

That's a formidable leaderboard. While several of the expected sharks didn't make the cut -- Phil being the most noticeable -- and several others barely made the cut at even par -- pencil Rory in on that line -- this tournament is far from over.

However, Kaymer and Spieth could make this very hard for the chasers. If both can manage to shoot, say, -6 for the very last two rounds, closest pursuer Henley could want to shoot -10 to trap them. If the route continues to organization up, he's searching at something like sixty seven-67 or sixty nine-sixty five. That's conceivable but it'd be a undertaking. The field will probable want some assist to shut the gap.

In addition to the tournament right, we've got were given a race for #1 within the OWGR going on. With Tiger out of the photo, 4 gamers have a hazard to leap to the pinnacle:

• Matt Kuchar needs to win. (He's currently T37 at -2.)
• Bubba Watson needs a solo second. (He's currently T25 at -3.)
• Henrik Stenson needs 6th. (He's also currently T25 at -3.)
• Adam Scott needs a T16. (He's currently T64 at E.)

Of these, Stenson seems to have the best chance... assuming Kaymer and Spieth take care of business, that is. If they start to back up, Adam probably has the best chance (it's easier to get a T16 than a 6th, after all). But I wouldn't bet on Tiger losing his spot this week; the candidates for the "Most Likely to Succeed" award don't look that sharp to me.

I don't apprehend precisely how the factors are awarded. (I checked out the explanation at the OWGR site, but that didn't sincerely assist...) However, I think Spieth is possibly to be the massive winner this week -- even if he does not win, I assume he might also leapfrog over Jason Day into 6th region with just first rate play.

This might be our hazard to see if Jordan Spieth found out whatever from his run at the Masters, and whether or not Martin Kaymer's swing adjustments (in reality, his go back to the antique swing that gained him the PGA) can get up under pressure. (Isn't it exquisite to see him again in form again?) In both case, this must be a totally thrilling weekend.

We subsequently have a stacked leaderboard at a huge tournament! HOORAY!!!