PGA The Barclays Leaderboard: Fedex Cup Playoffs starts today!

The start of the biggest prize in golf starts today as the top 125 players will compete in The Barclays, the first event in the Fedex Cup playoffs 2011 at Plainfield Country Club, Edison, New Jersey.

With all the big names of golf, except for Tiger Woods who didn’t qualify, The Barclays is the first of the four events that the golfers will have to hurdle until a winner is proclaimed. Last years champion in The Barclays was Matt Kuchar who went on to shoot 12-under par 272 will have to defend his title as he tees at 12:55 PM ET.

Who are the favorites in The Barclays? After the Bridgestone Invitational, Adam Scott has caught the attention of the media as most especially his caddie Steve William who still has grudges on his former boss Tiger Woods. Though Scott didn’t performed well in the PGA Championship, still he managed to finish in a strong way. Scott is considered to be a better player since his caddie Williams was on his side. Scott’s key is to stay on top of the PGA leaderboard so that he will keep himself in strong for the last day.

Who cannot forget the come backing performance of Keegan Bradley to win the PGA Championship 2011 two weeks ago? If he can manage to play solidly in this tournament, he has the chance to to another title. Could there be rustiness? It is possible if he is already satisfied with his win and he opts not to play hard as he used to be. Bradley can play with toughness and precision in the first round of The Barclays and he can be in the position to catch up the lead in the fourth round.

Of course last years Fedex Cup winner Jim Furyk will always be a contender. He still plays his best and he knows how to stay in this competition just to be qualified until the fourth event. Furyk had played with accuracy in his swings and putts that he stayed in the top 20 in the last two PGA tours. He may not have the command of getting the attention of the media but he can play with surprises against the field. Furyk is a tough player who understands how to keep his lead until he is given the chance to distance himself from the field.

The number on player in the world Luke Donald will seek to win this tournament so that he can add up another trophy for his career. Donald became the the number one player in the world because he deserves it and he has something to show up in The Barclays. He has been consistent in his finishes as he always in the top 10. This time, the only satisfaction that he can get is to win the whole Fedex Cup Playoffs 2011. His powerful tee shots has been his stregth and surely his consistencies helped him to be on top. Can he be on top of the PGA leaderboard The Barclays?

In the Wyndham Championship before this tournament, Ernie Els had to play tough just to be included in The Barclays. He was successful to enter in the top 125 as he toiled with patience in Wyndham. If he has the sharpness in his swings and putts, he is a player to beat. Els has all the experience in the world to win the Barclays as he had proven to be a champion in the past.

How about Phil Mickelson? He has been so quiet since he failed his comeback bid in the British Open when he scored 6-under par in the first 10 holes in the last round but eventually faded. Mickelson may have the determination and the hunger to play with precision in his shots. He also must be aggressive in the holes he thinks is capable of scoring. Mickelson is one of the contenders in The Barclays 2011.

Vijay Singh will always be in the conversation in the Fedex Cup 2011 Playoffs. He still has something within him to be a player who can compete in The Barclays 2011. Don’t be surprised if his name is on top of the PGA leaderboard at the end of the day. He can renew his strength by looking at the prize of $10 if he finishes on top after the four events. Today’s round is just the start for him in a journey that might bring him the prestige.

Stuart Appleby must be included in the names that will compete in this course. He still is one of the players that can dominate at any time. If he can make the way to climb to the Barclays leaderboard in the first round, then he will have a shot to win it all.

Of course Rickie Fowler’s name will be expected floating in the Barclays leaderboard. If he can play a bogeyless round, then he can shake the standings and he will get the attention of the field.

Who will win The Barclays 2011? Make sure to come to this page for the PGA Barclays leaderboard.

PGA The Barclays Leaderboard as of 4:50 PM ET