Not only did Eta Karo finish the job in style, locking up his Gibsonization in his first game this morning, but a host of his countrymen also finished very, very strong.

Eta Karo is now two games up on the field with three to play, which means he's almost certainly just one win away from the title.

Eta ran the table in his last six games, including a crucial win in the last game of the day against fellow top contender Josh Sokol. He now stands alone - the only player at 15-6.

Top Nigerian expert and former World Champion Wellington Jighere, one of the pre-tournament favorites, has opened up a lead after day 2. But it's a very slim lead, and there's a veritable horde of top players chasing close behind.

Well, it's about 93 degrees outside in Albuquerque, but the action inside the playing room here at the Sheraton is even more blazing hot.

The wait is over; the Scrabble event of the year is here. Let's get after it.