Word Cup Day 1: Whitley, Castellano stand atop a crowded field

We are live from sunny St. Louis, where a field of 61 CSW competitors got down to business today for the start of Word Cup 2025.

We're now 7 games in, and a star-studded leaderboard is already taking shape - but there's still a long, long way to go. To say the least, a lot can change between now and Wednesday when our champion is crowned.

For now, here's how your top 10 shakes out:

1. David Whitley (6-1, +553)

2. Joshua Castellano (6-1, +371)

3. Dave Wiegand (5-2, +545)

4. Mark Kenas (5-2, +107)

5. Josh Sokol (5-2, +29)

6. Becky Dyer (5-2, +11)

7. Austin Shin (4-3, +379)

8. Chris Lipe (4-3, +256)

9. Peter Armstrong (4-3, +219)

10. Scott Jackson (4-3, +166)

It was a big day for David, who stormed through a field of top competitors including Wellington Jighere, Austin Shin and, in a 485-464 barnburner to close the day, Dave Wiegand. Josh, meanwhile, started 6-0 against a crazy tough slate of opponents himself - Josh Sokol, Alec Sjöholm, and Dave among them - before slipping up in his last game.

For now, these two guys are the players to beat. But there's going to be a whole lot of top experts lining up to take their shot at them tomorrow - and the day after that, and the day after that, and the day after that.

Like I said: Long way to go.

We'll see you tomorrow for Day 2.