PGA Bridgestone Invitational: The Top 10 Players to Watch

With one round in the books, the Bridgestone Invitational already has given people a lot to talk about.

Bubba Watson continues to rise in the public consciousness and Tiger Woods added yet another bad day to his 2010 repertoire.

The weekend is just beginning, though, and the drama is sure to pick up, especially if Tiger has another bad day and begins flirting with the cut line.

Here are 10 players to keep your eye on as the Bridgestone heads into the weekend.

Bubba Watson

Bubba Watson has quietly gone about building a respectable resume on the PGA Tour.

He won the Traveler's Championship in June and is one of the best drivers on the tour at the moment.

He shot an opening round 64, 10 shots better than Tiger Woods.

Phil Mickelson

Mickelson is two shots off the lead going into Friday, and lefty always is a threat.

He finished the day with two birdies on the last three holes for an opening round 66.

Graeme McDowell

Graeme McDowell is tied with Mickelson at the moment, but this U.S. Open Champion could very well give Mickelson a run for his money.

He finished the day with four straight birdies and his putter is on fire. Drives keep you in the tournament, but putting wins championships.

Kenny Perry

Kenny Perry had a bogey-free 4-under-par 66 on Thursday. This is his lowest opening-round effort and his only other top 10 at the Bridgestone Invitational was in 2005.

Perry is about to turn 50, so look for him to try and send his 40s out in style.

Lee Westwood

Lee Westwood isn't just playing to win this tournament, he's playing to win every tournament.

Adam Scott

Adam Scott had a bogey-free 66 on Thursday, keeping him tied for second and keeping him on Bubba Watson's mind.

 

Tiger Woods

Tiger's game was horrible on Thursday, and he's now 10 shots off the lead after the first round.

But this is Tiger Woods. You HAVE to keep an eye on him. As long as he's swinging a golf club, he's a threat.

Jeff Overton

Jeff Overton was the last man to qualify for the Bridgestone, and he rewarded the organizers by shooting a 67 on Thursday, three shots off the lead.

Overton, at 27 years old, is one of the younger players on the field and will be looking to prove something as the week continues.

Sean O'Hair

Sean O’Hair came out firing, equaling his career-low round at Firestone Country Club with a 3-under-par 67 in Thursday’s opening round. 

O'Haire is the kind of player who will hang around all weekend after a good opening round.

 

Ernie Els

Ernie Els shot a one-under 69 to open the tournament.

Els is a champion and knows what it takes to win tournaments. Don't expect Els to get any further away from the top spot as the weekend continues.