Bridgestone Invitational 2013: Players Who Will Challenge Tiger Woods on Weekend

Tiger Woods released the frustration of another close call at the most recent major by shooting a stunning second-round 61 to jump out to a massive lead at the 2013 WGC-Bridgestone Invitational.

Some will be eager to hand Woods the trophy and his fifth win of the season due to his seven-shot lead at the halfway mark. That may have been appropriate when Woods was in his dominant heyday, but it's no longer the case at this stage in his career.

Despite the fact that Woods is a seven-time champion at Firestone in Akron, Ohio, he's shown discouraging signs this year coming down the stretch at tournaments.

Woods ranks 103rd in third-round scoring average and 143rd on the PGA Tour in final-round scoring average, but does sport a particularly commanding lead over Chris Wood and Keegan Bradley.

Let's take a look at the players near the top of the leaderboard—albeit seven strokes or more behind—who have the best chance of challenging the world No. 1.

Note: Statistics and information are courtesy of PGATour.com. Tournament history can be obtained via the Official World Golf Ranking.

Chris Wood (-6)

Hey, his name is really close to "Woods," so he must be a logical choice. At this point, though, it's more about those even within shouting distance of Woods' monstrous lead.

There's still a case to be made for Wood, however, because he's been battling nagging back problems this season, and his health has inhibited him from truly fulfilling his massive upside.

Wood may not be among the better-known golfers in the field, but he came close at two British Opens in his early 20s. As an amateur at Royal Birkdale in 2008 amidst tough conditions, he displayed the poise of a seasoned veteran to place tied fifth.

The following year at Turnberry, Wood faced a short par putt on the 72nd hole and missed. Had he made it—and he didn't know this at the time since he was several groups in front of the lead—the Englishman would have made the playoff with eventual champion Stewart Cink and Tom Watson.

With a towering 6'5" frame and the look of a true golfing natural, there is plenty of room for Wood to generate power, and he's known for his accuracy from tee to green.

This 25-year-old doesn't fear the big stage, and it will be interesting to see what he does with the opportunity to chase Woods on the weekend.

Keegan Bradley (-6)

The defending champion is rightly getting little love in the wake of Woods' electric display, but Bradley is among the best at making par breakers on tour when he's on.

Bradley ranks 23rd in that statistic in 2013—down from fifth a year ago—but he seems to be on his game yet again in Akron as he seeks to become the second back-to-back winner along with Woods.

At the HP Byron Nelson Championship in May, the young American star matched Phil Mickelson for low round of the year with a 60, and closed out the 2012 Bridgestone Invitational with a 64 to win by one stroke.

It's a tall order, because Bradley's winning total of 13 under in 2012 is where Woods is through 36 holes in this year's event.

If anyone can catch Woods from behind, though, it's Bradley. He seems to peak at this time of year, winning the 2011 PGA Championship, then coming with a tied third in his defense.

Henrik Stenson (-5)

No golfer has been hotter than Stenson recently other than the man who denied him two victories—Phil Mickelson.

Stenson placed tied third at the Scottish Open then runner-up at the Open Championship. Mickelson won the former event in a playoff over Branden Grace after Stenson had the 54-hole lead, and then Lefty went on to capture the Claret Jug.

The strong Swede boasts a decent combination of driving accuracy and precise iron play, and finds himself in contention at the Bridgestone Invitational yet again.

It seems only a matter of time before the streaky Stenson again wins a big tournament. After all, his last win in the U.S. came at the WGC match play event back in 2007 that catapulted him into golf's elite.

A cold streak followed thereafter, but Stenson has bounced back and is now up to No. 19 in the world rankings.

The physical skills and talent are there to take on Woods, though Stenson truly needs to work some magic with the putter to have any shot at winning.