Groups we're watching: THE PLAYERS, Round 2

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All times are eastern.

Justin Leonard, Steve Stricker, Sergio Garcia
Tee time: 1:23 p.m.
Tee: No. 1
Total TOUR wins: 21
Why you should watch: Garcia will be the man to keep an eye on Friday in this fine threesome. The Spaniard finished alone in second place at THE PLAYERS a year ago and took that steam into Thursday's first round, where he fired a 6-under-par 66 in a round that included just one bogey -- a pretty remarkable feat at TPC Sawgrass. Leonard is a former winner at THE PLAYERS, but he struggled on Thursday with a 3-over-par 75. Steve Stricker managed to grab four birdies in his opening round, but they were offset by three double bogeys and three bogeys.

Heath Slocum, J.P. Hayes, Steve Elkington
Tee time: 12:20 p.m.
Tee: No. 10
Total TOUR wins: 14
Why you should watch: Talk about a blast from the past. Steve Elkington, winner of the 1991 and 1997 PLAYERS Championship, is back at it this year. After an opening round of 3-under-par 69 on Thursday, Elk was right near the top of the leaderboard. If anyone knows how to get it done at TPC Sawgrass it's him. Elkington had six birdies in the first round. Slocum followed Elkington's lead with a 3-under 69 of his own, while J.P. Hayes struggled to an 11-over-par 83.

Phil Mickelson, Rory Sabbatini, Henrik Stenson
Tee time: 1:33 p.m.
Tee: No. 1
Total TOUR wins: 36
Why you should watch: No player has ever successfully defended THE PLAYERS. After 18 holes, Phil Mickelson has himself at least in a position to make a run at it after a 2-under-par 70. Mickelson's playing partners Rory Sabbatini and Henrik Stenson each struggled with a 1-over-par 73, but are still certainly within reach.

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