PGA Championship Predictions 2012: Notables Who Won't Make the Cut

How often will you see John Daly and Rory McIlroy atop the leaderboard of a major golf tournament?

Maybe that's been the highlight of the PGA Championship at the Beach Course at Kiawah Island, South Carolina so far.

Make no mistake, if Daly is hitting it long on this 7,600-yard course, we may be in for some excitement over the next few days.

The morning and afternoon tee times were a contrast in weather.

The morning, which showed no movement in the winds, allowed golfers like McIlroy, Carl Pettersson and Daly to post early leads. Meanwhile, Tiger Woods was playing some good golf to remain within striking distance.

The second group of pairings, which included the likes of Phil Mickelson and Bubba Watson, saw winds kick up a bit along the course.

It would appear the earlier round had an advantage, but maybe Friday will hold differently as the groupings switch from morning to afternoon.

Regardless of the weather, some golfers could not muster a decent score and could be in jeopardy come tomorrow when the cut line is announced.

These golfers have some work to do to avoid going home early in the PGA's final major of the year,

Martin Kaymer

Wasn't he one of the best golfers in the world just a year or two ago? Wasn't he considered the best of the best at one point?

My, how things have changed.

Kaymer has been a virtual unknown in the world rankings of late. At Kiawah, he shot a seven-over 79 for the first round.

The odds of him being around after tomorrow aren't high.

Webb Simpson

It looked like the U.S. Open winner couldn't get out of his own way.

A seven-over for the first round almost assures he'll be going home on Friday unless there is a huge change atop the leaderboard.

Remember, Simpson posted a score at the U.S. Open and the pack came back to him.

Judging by the way in which the course played in the afternoon, with so much wind, it would have been a slim possibility.

However, Simpson plays in the morning, which may help him.

Jason Dufner

Dufner is only two-over for the tournament. However, when you look at other contenders, things don't look so good. Keegan Bradley, the man he lost to in the playoff last year, is near the top of the leaderboard.

Holes four, five and eight tripped him up with the fifth holes surrendering a double-bogey to help seal his fate.

Jose Maria Olazabal

Now there's a name I haven't heard in a very long time.

Olazabal is two-over. However, unlike with Dufner—who has the same score—this was a nice surprise.

Having said that, if the weather picks up on the island, things could get bleak for the veteran.

Brandt Snedeker

On Thursday morning on the Golf Channel, it was said that Snedeker—maybe more than anyone at Kiawah—needed a huge performance.

He is on the outside looking in with the Ryder Cup, and may not be one of the captain's selections.

All Snedeker did was shoot a five-over 77 for the day.

Not a good way to help yourself in that area or with the chance to win the tournament.

Thorbjorn Olesen

A few weeks ago, we were watching him in a final-round pairing with Tiger Woods at the Open Championship.

After a three-over on the first day, it does not look like that will happen this time around at a major tournament.

Hopefully, this year is a learning curve and we will know more about his game next year.

Lucas Glover

This is not what you expected from Glover in a tournament like this.

At five-over and with many spots to make up, things are looking bleak.

The damage may already be done and the deficit may be too much to make up.