Webb Simpson Leads, Tiger Eight Back

Not a lot of rookies have had the chance to take command of the FedEx Cup. Zero, actually. The first year Tiger Woods was in control from the get-go. Last year, Vijay Singh was the man that couldn't be beat. If Webb Simpson continues to play like he has so far at the Barclays, he might find himself in a position to win some very nice cheddar for a first-year man on tour.

Simpson is currently 8-under for the first FedEx Cup tournament of the year, two shots clear of second place after a Friday 68 settled in nicely next to his first round 66. It seems like ages ago when we were writing about Simpson, who started his rookie year with two top-10s and a 68-67 start to the FBR Open (he'd finish 77-75 at TPC Scottsdale, and go on to miss nine of his next 13 cuts).

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His hot start this week can be attributed to the putter, which has needed just 24 putts per round to get around Liberty National. On a Friday that some described as "Scottish like," the 24-year-old Simpson made five birdies, and tied Ernie Els for low score of the day.

Paul Goydos is lurking at 6-under, tied with Steve Marino and two shots clear of two others at 4-under. First round co-leader Sergio Garcia went off early on Friday, shooting 11 shots worse than he did a day ago. His 76 dropped him to 1-over for the tournament, nine back of Simpson.

Sitting eight shots back is Tiger, who followed his 1-under 70 on Thursday with a 1-over 72 on Friday. Woods improved his greens in regulation stat on Friday by nearly 20 percent, but is still struggling to make birdies. Tiger, averaging a hair over four birdies per round this season, has only made four chippers in two days at Liberty National. I wonder if he still thinks this golf course is "interesting" or if he's ready to say what he really means.