Bridgestone Invitational 2012: 1st-Round Standouts Who Will Stay Hot on Friday

The first round of the Bridgestone 2012 Invitational is over and a few players will carry their momentum into the next 18 holes.

The course at the Firestone Country Club in Ohio treated a select few kindly on Thursday, and another strong performance will put these golfers in excellent position heading into the weekend. 

The first tee time is at 8:40 a.m., and all scores and schedules are available at PGATour.com.

Here are the three players who put on a show on Thursday and will fly through the course again in Round 2.

Jim Furyk, -7

Furyk played excellent golf leading up to the U.S. Open in June and ended up third in the tournament. He had a letdown after that, but has picked up his play in Akron.

The 42-year-old burst onto the course with an eagle on the second hole. He continued to tear up the course on his way to the top of the leaderboard.

"I told my caddie it's been a long time since I made seven birdies and an eagle in a round," Furyk said, via USA Today’s Steve DiMeglio.

His remarkable performance will give him plenty of confidence heading in to Round 2, and he will not relinquish his lead easily.

Bubba Watson, -4 

The second hole was lucky for Watson as well, and he made up for a bogey to start his day by hitting an eagle, just like Furyk.

Watson did not play as consistently as Furyk, but he absolutely crushed the ball and is leading the tournament with an average of 351.6 yards per drive.

The reigning Masters champion is playing aggressively, and it has paid off thus far. Lee Slattery is one stroke ahead of Watson, but the Englishman has not been a factor on the PGA Tour this year and it is doubtful he will be able to keep up his pace.

Watson will continue to show off with long drives, and it will keep him in contention heading into the weekend.

Luke Donald, -4

Donald is the most consistent player in the world, and he proved that with seven birdies in the opening round.

ESPN’s Bob Harig notes that Donald will lose his No. 1 world ranking if he finishes worse than third in the tournament and Tiger Woods wins. Woods finished the first round with an even score of 70.

The Englishman does not appear willing to take any chances and is putting himself in excellent position to finish in the top three.

Expect Donald to play like his usual self and quietly work his way through the course while racking up birdies. He will continue his fine form and keep himself near the top of the leaderboard during Round 2.