K.J. Choi and Greg Norman Top an Intriguing British Open Leaderboard

Heading to the weekend, K.J. Choi leads the British Open by one stroke over...

Greg Norman?

Yes my friends, the Shark is back. And what a tournament it would be if the aging Aussie could pull off an old-timer's comeback remniscent of Jack Nicklaus' 1986 Masters (in which Norman placed second).

If not Norman, there are still many players in contention who would be very intriguing and deserving champions.

In fact, this 2008 Open features one of the coolest leader boards ever seen in a major championship.

Choi Leads the Way

First, there's K.J. Choi-- the very talented Korean who, despite his astute playing prowess, has not seriously contested for a major. He leads at 1-under. It would be a very deserving moment for Choi to lift the Claret Jug, and I'm sure knowledgable golf fans will be rooting for him over the weekend.

Shark in Second

Then at level par, it's the man who's most famous for collapsing by the 15th green at Augusta as Nick Faldo snatched his green jacket away. People often forget that he's a 2-time British Open winner.

Of course, we're talking about Greg Norman (this time, without the goofy black straw hat.) And, wouldn't it be sweet for Norman to shut up his constantly-lamenting critics by pulling out one of the most unexpected victories in golf history?

However, (and I hate to bring this next word up, really it kills me to write it; in fact, I'm going to censor it) let's not forget about Norman's unfortunate habit of chok*ng in big moments. Will he be able to survive Saturday, and live to contend in the final round?

The Cool Kids

Right behind Norman are Camillo Villegas and Graeme McDowell-- two young but extremely promising players. Villegas fired a blazing 65 on Friday and sits two strokes back; McDowell is three behind at +2.

Villegas, with his loud apparel and unique putting analyzation skills, would be a marketing dream if he can grasp major success.

McDowell, who's fresh off a Scottish Open victory, will gain some well-deserved recognition across the Atlantic should he find himself atop the yellow scoreboard on Sunday.

Both would be quite deserving first-time major winners. And, beings that we haven't seen a twenty-something major champion in quite some time, I'm sure the PGA wouldn't mind a bit of youth in the winners' circle.

The Underdogs

Rocco Mediate (a.k.a. America's Sweetheart), fresh off his duel with Tiger Woods in the greatest U.S. Open ever played, finished up Friday with a score of +2.

The man who captivated the nation (and probably the entire golfing world, for that matter) has a new legion of fans who'll be cheering his every move on Saturday. And, the path to a Claret Jug will surely be easier without the world's #1 player in the way.

Then at +3 (get ready for this) is none other than David Duval

I hear you at home: "David Duval? He's still alive?"

Alive and well, and just four strokes off the lead. Remember, it was at this very event, the British Open, where Duval was last seen by society.

How ironic would be for Duval to take home the Claret Jug for his first win in exactly seven years?

Other Contenders

Not to be outdone, U.S. Open champion Jim Furyk stands at +2. His second major title is long overdue.

Defending champ Padraig Harrington is in the +2 pack as well. Back-to-back British Opens could push his legend a bit closer to Nick Faldo and Seve Ballesteros in European golf lore.

Robert Allenby, yet another player at +2, has been a decent contender in regular-season tournaments over the years. Could a major push him to new heights?

At +3 sits a group of good, solid players: Appleby, Ames, Jacobson, and Poulter.

The Oddities

Sweden's Noren Alexander, at +2, is your quintessential no-name British Open contender. There's always at least one in every championship, but surprisingly, they often do quite well on the weekend. We'll have to see if Alexander mirrors Ben Curtis and stuns the world, or Greg Owen and collapses under the pressure.

And then, lurking back at +4, dare I say it, is Jean Van de Velde. Enough said.

Preparing for Saturday

If you read one of my previous articles, you know that I'm not the biggest fan of the British Open: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/36856-golfs-worst-major-championship-the-british-open.

However, after glancing at the second round scores, I'm planning on pouring a bowl of cereal and feasting on every minute of coverage tomorrow morning.

We're going to get a unique look into a world where golfers don't have to fear a last-minute charge from Tiger Woods.

The world shuddered when Tiger announced his one-year retirement. But: with Choi, Norman, Duval, Mediate, Villegas, McDowell, and even Jean Van de Velde in the running to win a major-- Tiger's absence won't be missed quite as much as expected.

Notes from Friday's Second Round

• Could the TNT/BBC cameramen please wipe the raindrops off their camera lenses for God's sake?!
• How about the players who look like they're about to go on a slalom run rather than walk around 18 holes? Some players are dressed in what looks to be gigantic goose-feather stuffed coats. And, here I am thinking it's hard to swing a club wearing a windbreaker!
• John Daly missed the cut-- shooting +29 and finishing in dead last place. It's like watching a trainwreck. Still, you have to feel for him. He's got such talent, yet washes it all away with booze and gambling.