Hyundai Tournament of Champions: Keegan Bradley and More Players to Watch

Golf tournaments are not won on the first day. No, the first few days is all about positioning yourself to make a run in the final days.

In round one, these players all did just that. Every one of these guys is within two shots of the lead (or better) and needs to be followed over the weekend, and again on Monday. There's a very good chance that one of these three will be hoisting the trophy. 

Keegan Bradley

While he's from the Northeast, Bradley has the kind of game that's going to win him a lot of early season, Western tournaments. This course certainly qualifies as one that's in his wheelhouse. The length of the course will immensely favor the long hitters, but it doesn't stop there.

This course is filled with slopes. That means that outdriving someone by ten yards or so can make the difference between hitting a hill and not. All of a sudden, ten yards becomes 50. Bradley's as long as anyone, and isn't afraid to take any chances. 

But Bradley isn't just a long drive. He's also a fantastic putter, has a great short game, and attacks flags. Any field he's in, he'll be worth watching. But that logic is doubled at courses such as this one. After a bogey-free, opening round of 69, Bradley is a good player to keep an eye on over the weekend.

Webb Simpson

Simpson was the top ball striker on tour last year. Even in a driver/wedge era, a great ball striker will always have a place on tour. 

What made Simpson so interesting in the first round is that he did nearly all of his damage on the front nine. This is a course that tends to allow its scoring on the back nine. So, if Simpson can find that stroke on the back side and even stay stable in the front, he'll go really low.

Jonathan Byrd

Byrd doesn't have the sexy name or game that others have. He hits some creative shots, but doesn't have the real wow factor going for him. But he's incredibly solid. 

The reason he's worth watching here is simple. He's the defending champion and first-round leader. This tournament has a tendency to produce consecutive winners, and Byrd is in prime position to be one of those. If he does, he'll be the first player to earn an invitation back next season.

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