Weekly previews

published 1 August 2007

Tournament: World Golf Championships ? Bridgestone Invitational

Course: Firestone Country Club (South Course)

Known fondly as ?the monster?, the south course at Firestone is once again the venue for this weeks World Golf Championships. Designed originally by Bert Way and redesigned by Robert Trent Jones Sr. in 1960, the course features some of the toughest holes around. Firestone Country Club in Ohio is renowned for hosting major golf tournaments, and the drama that occurred on the 72nd hole of the 2000 WGC Invitational is sure to be remembered for some time. Known as the ?shot in the dark?, Tiger Woods hit his second shot to the closing hole from 168 yards to within 2 feet, whilst his only line to the flag were the cigarette lighters held aloft by the spectators surrounding the green.

16th ? This long par 5 which has been extended over the years, now measures 667 yards and is seen as the signature hole at Firestone. Players must steer clear of the fairway bunkers, which come in to play from off the tee, and leave them selves a long iron second shot down the hill. The pond just short of the small green, will catch any balls that come up short. Expect to see a few high scores on this hole this week.

The lowdown: As tournament favourite and current holder of the tournament, Tiger Woods will be looking to secure his sixth WGC Invitational title. The rest of the field will have their work cut out to chase the number one player in the world. After successfully defending his Canadian Open title last week, Jim Furyk will be looking for a repeat of last year?s event where he finished just a shot behind joint leaders Stewart Cink and Tiger Woods. With only 17 players finishing under par in the event last year, this weeks field wont be expecting the course to be playing any easier.

The Lowdown: Richie Ramsey of Scotland will be looking to impress on his professional debut in Russia with a solid display after a sponsors invitation. Last years winner Alejandro Cañizares became the quickest Affiliate Member to win a European Tour event when he claimed the title in his third start. Steve Webster is the form player going into the event with top ten finishes in his last two competitions.

Lowdown: The Reno-Tahoe Open is in its 9th consecutive year as a competition on the PGA Tour. In 2006 Yusaku Miyazato accomplished the unbelievable feat of achieving two holes in one in the same round within six holes. Last years competition lived up to the excitement of recent years as Will MacKenzie birdied the last hole to win by one shot from the rest of the field and win his maiden PGA Tour title.

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