The most unlikely leader leads the TPC

he galleries at The Players this week don't have Tiger Woods to cheer, but they do have plenty of fan favorites on the leaderboard. Phil Mickelson has a shot, Sergio Garcia is in contention. Fans with a twang in their voice have Kenny Perry, J.B. Holmes and Boo Weekley. Bernhard Langer will have a following today.

But the truth is that everyone should be pulling for third-round leader Paul Goydos today.

Golf is one of those rare sports where fans root for the favorites, but every once in awhile a guy like Goydos comes along in a big tournament and inspires a lot of “Who's he?” reactions. He's not a sexy name, has an odd swing and is playing without the usual parade of logos on his hat or shirt because he doesn't have any sponsors.

You think John Daly is the everyman golfer, but Goydos is a lot more like the guy you play golf with in scrambles and club championships.

Goydos is wearing a Long Beach State baseball cap this week that he bought in the Charlotte airport on Sunday. He once taught school to make enough money to be able to enter Hogan events when he was just starting out as a professional. He is a single father whose two children are back home.

And the guy is downright funny in a sport where there is little laughter.

His post-round interview with NBC's Bob Costas was more stand-up than strategy. In the interview room, when he was asked if his lack of endorsements was because of his low profile, his response was priceless.

“I'm fat and ugly?” he said. “Just go all the way.”

On Friday, he described himself in baseball terms.

“I'm just the grinder,” Goydos said. “In baseball, I'd be the utility player. I'd be the guy that keeps finding a way to stay in the major leagues and you don't really know how.”

But on Saturday, he stared down Garcia and TPC Sawgrass to take a one-shot lead over Kenny Perry and three shots better than the best player never to win a major. Or an almost major.

“Sergio played pretty well but nothing happened,” Goydos said. “I'm sure he was looking at me and wanting to throw up. On a given day, you know, I beat him today. The futures market, you decide who you want to take.”

There could hardly be a more unlikely leader heading into the final round of this tournament. Last year was his first trip to The Players since 2001 and he shot 80 in the first round. His 68 Thursday was his first round here under 70.

Last week in Charlotte, he was surprisingly in contention until the last round. But nobody could see this coming.

Even he said he was surprised to be leading.

“If I could explain it,” he said, “I certainly wouldn't be telling you.”

Now the question is whether or not he can win. Asked about his mind-set heading into today, he said, “I don't know. I really don't know.”

Nobody knows. This is uncharted water for Goydos. His making everything he looks at and hitting fairways if not greens.

But for a guy who has never been in this position before, how will he react if, say, Mickelson starts fast?

“I'm sure Mickelson's not going, 'Well, playing for second,' ” he said.

This is a tournament that has seen a surprise winner before in 2002 when Craig Perks came out of nowhere to win. He's now a club pro in Louisiana, his five-year exemption for winning The Players having expired.

On this course, all it takes is a bad break, a funny bounce or a gust of wind, to end a golfer's dream. And who can predict what will happen if Goydos comes to the last three holes with a one-shot lead?

“This is why we play the game,” he said. “This is why I've been practicing for 30 years.”

Maybe the amazing story of Paul Goydos leading on one of the toughest courses in brutal conditions was summed up by Mickelson Saturday when he was asked if he was surprised at who was leading.

“Paul Goydos is one of the nicest guys we have on Tour,” he said.

Everyone at the tournament and watching at home should be hoping this nice guy finishes first.