PGA Championship 2012 Tee Times: Pairings and Predictions for Friday

As we look ahead to the second round of the 2012 PGA Championship on Friday, several top names and a multitude of "no names" have vaulted up to the front of the pack.

Keegan Bradley, who captured the PGA Championship last year and just won the Bridgestone Invitational, played well on Thursday.

So did such names as Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy.

Of course, there's also that guy Carl Pettersson, who apparently decided to bring his A-game at the Ocean Course.

Here's a look at some top pairings and predictions for Friday's second round.

Dustin Johnson, Rory McIlroy, Jim Furyk: Tee No. 1, Tee Time: 1:20 p.m. ET

The big names to watch in this group are Rory McIlroy and Jim Furyk.

McIlroy appeared to get back on track in an up-and-down season at the Bridgestone Invitational, finishing fifth with an eight-under-par 272.

Now he's among the leaders with a five-under 67 after one round at the PGA Championship. He had five birdies and no bogeys in the opening round.

Furyk has flirted with victory at the U.S. Open and the Bridgestone Invitational this year, but flopped down the stretch in each tournament. He's still shown he can be within reach, though.

Furyk finished at even par on Thursday.

Jason Dufner, Paul Casey, Geoff Ogilvy: Tee No. 1, Tee Time: 1:30 p.m. ET

Jason Dufner was one of my favorites heading into the PGA Championship this year with seven top-10 finishes (including at the U.S. Open) and two victories on the season.

Dufner has also ranked highly on tour in greens in regulation percentage and driving accuracy.

But Dufner faltered in the first round of the PGA Championship, scoring a two-over 74 on Thursday. He's still in it, but he's going to have to bring his A-game the rest of the way.

Geoff Ogilvy, on the other hand, emerged as an unlikely contender on Thursday, posting a four-under 68.

Ogilvy has ranked in the top 75 on tour in just one major category this year (sand saves, 23rd). However, his one top-10 finish on the year came at the British Open.

Keegan Bradley, Martin Kaymer, Tiger Woods : Tee No. 1, Tee Time: 1:40 p.m. ET

Keegan Bradley and Tiger Woods were two of my favorites heading into the PGA Championship this year.

Bradley's performance thus far (four-under 68) isn't surprising, given he just won the Bridgestone Invitational and he's the reigning champion at the PGA Championship. He's also a very good putter who ranks second in birdies per round this year, via ESPN.

As for Woods, he continues to play much better overall this year than in the past few years.

The four-time PGA Championship winner, who owns six top-10 finishes and three victories on the season, finished with a three-under 69 on Thursday to stay within reach of the leaders.

Predictions

So far, I'm liking Bradley, McIlroy and Woods for the PGA Championship this year, in that order.

Based on his history this year, I see Ogilvy dropping in the standings as the tournament rolls on. I feel the same way about Carl Pettersson, who all of a sudden emerged as the leader on Thursday.

I still think Dufner has a shot at righting the ship, but a second poor round likely drops him out of contention. 

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