Players Championship 2012 Leaderboard: Matt Kuchar Will Win Title at Ponte Vedra

After two rounds of play at the 2012 Players Championship, Matt Kuchar is not only atop the leaderboard at eight-under, but is also the sure fire favorite to take the title at Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.

Currently, his score of eight-under is tied with five others, including Zach Johnson, yet there is no question that Kuchar will be the player to break open the lead.

There is one major reason for his nearing success in this tournament: he has come out as strong as any golfer in 2012.

In five of his last six tournaments, Kuchar has placed at least 13th in each outing, with three top-10 finishes and approximately $1,217,799 in earnings this season. Currently, Kuchar is the No. 16 player in the World after accumulating over 73 points already in 2012.

Not to mention, in none other than the year's biggest tournament, The Masters Tournaments at Augusta, Kuchar put up a third-place finish that shocked the field. It was a performance that gave the 33 year old a new sense of legitimacy as a contender.

To be able to perform on the biggest of stages is a key advantage that Kuchar boasts over the rest of the leaderboard's best at the Players Championship.

Another key will be the fact that Kuchar is playing in his home state of Florida, as it is clear that the home state advantage is surely helping to push him to the top. 

After finishing in 13th place, 14th place and an unimpressive 54th place over the last three years at Ponte Vedra, there is no question there is an added pressure for Kuchar to come through and perform in these final rounds. Playing with this chip on his shoulder will certainly help his chances in these final 36 holes.