Kuchar takes Fed Ex lead

Matt Kuchar hit a ridiculous approach shot to two feet on the first playoff hole at The Barclays to win over Martin Laird.

Laird, who appeared to have the tournament in hand, needed to two putt from thirty feet on the 18th hole in regulation for the win. Unfortunately for him, he crushed his first putt a good eight feet past the hole and then missed coming back for a three putt.

With his first victory of the year at the first playoff event of the Fed Ex Cup, Kuchar takes the overall point lead in the quest for the $10,000,000.00 prize.

"Even if I had shut it down without a win, I would have felt it was a great year," Kuchar said. "To win, it's an incredible year."

Current Top Five:

1) Matt Kuchar
2) Steve Stricker
3) Martin Laird
4) Justin Rose
5) Ernie Els

Getty photo / Scott Halleran

Good numbers for Tiger round one at Barclays

13 /14 Fairways
15 /18 Greens
27 Putts
7 Birdies
65
Tie for 1st

For one day, Tiger Woods played like the number one player in the world again.

"It's exciting to hit the ball flush again," Woods said. "It's something I've been missing all year."

Asked whether he thinks he can still break Nicklaus's record of 18 majors, he responded, "Absolutely."

"I look at it this way," Woods said, "Hogan won all nine of his majors at my age and older. I think for every kid out there, the goal is to get there. That is the benchmark in our sport, and that's still my goal."

Woods needs to finish approximately in the top 50 this week to advance to the second round of the playoffs. He's off to a good start and certainly thinks he can still win the whole thing.

"I figure if I win, I should be OK," Woods said.

Fed Ex Cup Championship

The Fed Ex Cup playoffs begin this Thursday at the Barclays with the top 125 players in points set to go. The winner receives $10,000,000.00.

FORMER WINNERS:
2007 Tiger Woods
2008 Vijay Singh
2009 Tiger Woods

PLAYOFF SCHEDULE:

• The Barclays (August 26-29)
  
• Deutsche Bank Championship (Sept. 3-6)
  
• BMW Championship (Sept. 9-12)
  
• The Tour Championship (Sept. 23-26)

TOP FIVE IN STANDINGS:

1) Ernie Els
2) Steve Stricker
3) Jim Furyk
4) Phil Mickelson
5) Justin Rose

NOTABLES:

8) Bubba Watson
14) Anthony Kim
19) Rickie Fowler
21) Rory McIlroy
112) Tiger Woods

Click for complete standings