Going to the weekend

So here we go...The Masters has turned into the US Open. I'd be interested to compare Friday afternoon's leaderboard with that from Oakmont in June after 2 rounds.

Right now there are many players within striking distance, but I really think only a few guys can win. They are:

1. Tim Clark: He's played great in the majors over the last few years and is the only player in the field with two rounds under par.

2. Vijay Singh: He's playing great, has tons of confidence and loves tough courses (remember his playoff win at Whistling Straits where he didn't make a birdie in the final round). He won The Masters the last time the conditions were similar.

3. Geoff Ogilvy: The guy is money. Take away his 8 on the second hole of the tournament and he could be leading. One of the most mentally tough players in the game. (I want him to win, because I have 30-1 on him).

4. Stuart Appleby: This may be his time. He plays great in the wind, hits it long and can make birdies on any kind of of golf course (he made 7 of them today). Everyone is going to make bogeys, the player who can offset it with unexpected birdies will win.

5. Jim Furyk: With almost no attention, Furyk is definitely in the mix. He loves tough courses, is putting superbly, and is a bulldog. His lack of length is offset by how fast the course is playing.

6. Tiger Woods: He's got to break par eventually, but his driving needs to improve to get that done. As usual, a couple of early birdies will help his cause and scare the shit out of everyone else.

7. Mike Weir: One word: Confidence. Mike missed a 15 footer for birdie on 18 today, and seemed genuinely shocked it didn't go in. When he gets in that mode of expecting his 15 footers to fall, it means he's firing on all cylinders. I expect him to shoot a great score tomorrow and be right there. Mike is playing with his roommate from college tomorrow, Dean Wilson; a great pairing for him.

8. Paul Casey: A pre-tournament favourite needs to keep the momentum going. He's playing with Tiger again. They'll have fun.

9. Paddy Harrington: I'd rank him higher, but he's had a tendency to yo-yo this year. Good round, bad round type thing. He's a terrific player who has disappointed in majors. I also feel like he has a fragile psyche.

10. Phil Mickelson: Starting early really helps him. If he can get through the front nine in 1-under, he can shoot in the 60s. He eats up the back (evidence his 31 to beat Els in 2004). A quick start won't scare everyone, but it will get the job done.

11. Justin Rose: I love his game. I'm rooting for him. He needs more time to mature.


More tomorrow.