Players Championship 2012: Zach Johnson and 3 Golfers Set to Compete for Title

Two days at the 2012 Players Championship and already the competition is heated at the top of the leaderboard, with Zach Johnson and several other golfers leading the way at Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.

Currently, Johnson sits at eight-under par through 16 holes on Day 3.

Johnson has put forth one of his stronger outings of the season through two rounds. In spite of struggling to get things going in Round 3, there is no doubt his talent will have him pushing for a title in the final round.

What follows are three players that are poised to make a push for the hardware in this 2012 tourney.

No. 3: Zach Johnson, (-7)

Johnson now moves down to the third spot on the list of contenders in the 2012 Players Championship after failing to put forth much of a strong performance in Round 3.

There are a couple of golfers in the field with significantly greater chances to take the title. There is no denying the plethora of talent in the field after some tremendous Round 3 performances.

If Johnson looks to make a push in Round 4, there will certainly be ground to be made up on Sunday as he now sits three strokes behind the leader.

No. 2: Rickie Fowler, (-9)

Unlike Johnson, Fowler has put forth arguably the strongest third round of any golfer remaining in the field.

A six-under par performance on Day 3 has Fowler just two strokes outside the lead. He is picking up the pace at just the right time, as momentum might just be enough to have him taking the title on Sunday.

As of late, he is one of the stronger golfers in the sport, fresh off of a Wells Fargo Championship win just last week.

No. 1: Matt Kuchar, (-11)

Matt Kuchar has been just short of sensational this tournament, currently holding a three-under par for the day in Round 3.

He has broken through after being one of five players tied at eight-under par through two rounds. Kuchar is a special talent that has put on a clinic this season, with three top-10 finishes in three of his last six tournament appearances.

Currently, Kuchar sits three strokes above the field, hoping that his Round 3 performance will propel him to success on Sunday and ultimately, a 2012 championship.