PGA Championship 2013: Live Day 1 Leaderboard Look-in and Overall Predictions

The 2013 PGA Championship teed off on Thursday at Oak Hill Country Club in Rochester, N.Y., featuring some of the top golfers in the world.

There are some notable names on top of the leaderboard so far, as well as some surprise contenders on Day 1.

Whether it's a former U.S. Open champ or a veteran appearing in his first PGA Championship, there is an intriguing blend of talent that has surged ahead in the first round.

Here's a look at some of the leaders early on Day 1 at the 2013 PGA Championship, complete with predictions of how they will fare moving forward.

Jim Furyk (-5)

Jim Furyk hasn't placed in the top 10 at the PGA Championship since 2002. He placed 18th at the tournament when it was last held at Oak Hill in 2003.

Nonetheless, the 43-year-old has gotten off to a fine start at the PGA Championship this year, posting a five-under par through 14 holes.

Starting on the back nine, Furyk notched birdies at Nos. 10, 16, 18, 1 and 4. What's more, he hasn't posted a bogey yet.

Last year, Furyk tied for 42nd at the PGA Championship. Of course, he posted consecutive top-10 finishes headed into the major this year.

Furyk hasn't fared particularly well in majors this year (missing the cut at both the U.S. Open and the British Open), but he is capable of not only being in contention on the final day, but also winning the whole thing.

Considering Furyk hasn't posted a win on tour since the 2010 TOUR Championship, I'm going to stop short of backing him for victory. 

Sorry, Jim.

Prediction: 4-under-par 276

David Hearn (-4)

David Hearn has just four top-10 finishes and no victories since 2011 (50 PGA Tour events), but the 34-year-old did place second in a playoff at the John Deere Classic in July.

Hearn shot a four-under par 66 on Thursday, picking up birdies on Nos. 2, 4, 6, 10, 11 and 16. All of this after a bogey on his first hole of the day.

This is Hearn's first appearance at the PGA Championship and fourth career appearance in a major (he's played the U.S. Open three times, finishing 21st this year).

It's not like Hearn generally starts off well in tournaments, either. Entering Thursday, he ranked 82nd on tour in first-round scoring average, per PGATour.com. 

If Hearn sticks around until the final round, he has a shot, as he ranks 13th on tour in fourth-round scoring average.

On the other hand, it's hard for me to see a man ranked 130th in the world lasting that long.

Of course, stranger things have happened in the world of golf.

Prediction: Par 280

Matt Kuchar (-3)

Matt Kuchar hasn't won a major in his career yet, but the world No. 6 does have the talent.

Kuchar started experiencing success in majors in 2010. He's posted all five of his career top-10 finishes in majors since 2009. That includes an eighth-place finish at the Masters this year.

The 35-year-old has won one stroke-play tournament so far this year (the Memorial) and he finished second at the Canadian Open in late July. 

Kuchar has generally played well before the cut at tournaments in 2013, and he has generally finished strong. It's in the third round where he often has trouble, so that's something to look for moving forward.

Personally, it's hard to go against a golfer ranked in the top 10 in the world when he gets off to a strong start. Kuchar's driving accuracy worries me a bit at Oak Hill, but his putting tends to keep him in tournaments. I expect the veteran to be in contention on the final day.

Prediction: 6-under-par 274