FedExCup update: Taylor, Woods moving up

Lyons/Getty Images

Vaughn Taylor projects to take over the top spot in the FedExCup standings if he wins The Barclays.

It's only been one day but the PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedExCup are off to a rousing start. Not only is a resurgent Tiger Woods tied for the lead with Vaughn Taylor at The Barclays, a total of 71 players -- well over half the starting field of 122 -- shot par or better at Ridgewood Country Club. The corresponding moves in the FedExCup standings were enough to send your head spinning (click here for updated FedExCup points projections).

Notable movers

Tiger Woods and Vaughn Taylor: Amazing what a tie for the lead will do. The man who started 112th in the standings and the Georgian who was No. 38 could both take over the top spot in the standings with a win. Robert Garrigus: He's currently tied for 33rd at The Barclays, which has translated into a 30-spot jump to No. 94 in the FedExCup standings. Hopefully, his wife can handle the excitement and their first child, due during the off week, doesn't come early. David Duval: His round of 3 under left Duval, competing in the Playoffs for the first time, in a tie for 20th at Ridgewood and 39 spots higher in the FedExCup at No. 81. Scott Piercy: The last man into the Playoffs has continued to climb -- 52 spots, no less -- after a round of 67 let him tied for sixth in the tournament and No. 73 in the standings. John Senden: He came into the week ranked No. 99 and hardly a lock for next week but he jumped 43 spots in the projections after shooting 67 in the first round.

Top-five watch

If the tournament had ended Thursday, the all-important top five -- the players who will control their own destiny in the finale at East Lake -- would have a very different look. Ernie Els, who finished at even par, would have been bumped from first to third with Vaughn Taylor's 38-spot jump and Tiger Woods' rise from No. 112. Steve Stricker, who shot 70, would have been bumped down to No. 5 as Ryan Palmer, currently tied for third at The Barclays, moved up to fourth. Jim Furyk's move out of the top five was expected after he was eliminated from The Barclays after missing his pro-am tee time. But he only fell from third to eighth while No. 4 Phil Mickelson and No. 5 Justin Rose, who both shot 1-over 72s, dropped to Nos. 12 and 13, respectively.

Bubble watch

Deutsche Bank Championship: Jeff Maggert came to New Jersey ranked No. 100 but promptly fell seven spots when he shot a 79 that left him in very real danger of missing the cut. Briny Baird is the bubble boy after the first round but at least he moved three spots in a positive direction after shooting even par. BMW Championship: Justin Leonard started the week ranked 70th but took a big tumble to No. 86 when he shot even par on Thursday. Steve Marino is now projected at No. 70 -- falling 12 spots despite a first-round 70. THE TOUR Championship presented by Coca-Cola: Stuart Appleby, golf's newest Mr. 59, fired a 70 on Thursday but still fell seven spots from No. 30. Fellow Aussie Robert Allenby, playing for the first time since knee surgery earlier this month, shot 73 and dropped 13 spots to No. 30.